Discover Uddevalla through its trails, architectural history and natural history. The Strandpromenaden is a 9.3-kilometre walking and cycling path that runs from Skalbankarna to Lindesnäs through central Uddevalla. Other options offer shorter routes or a different experience: an approximately two-kilometre circular trail with steep sections, a short promenade that is also easy to navigate by wheelchair, mobility scooter or pram, and historic buildings. You can tailor your stay to your preferred distance and interests, rather than treating all the destinations as similar walks.
Hiking Trails and Promenades
The Strandpromenaden connects two named endpoints and runs through the town centre. It is designated for both walking and cycling. At 9.3 kilometres, it is considerably longer than the approximately 600-metre Emauspromenaden. If you’re planning a longer route, you’ll find a clear distance here and can choose whether to walk or cycle.
The Tureslingan has a different character: this red-marked circular trail is approximately two kilometres long and leads from the residential area of Tureborg past ruins into the Ture dalar nature reserve. Some sections are quite steep and can be difficult. Both the approximate distance and this terrain are worth considering when deciding whether the loop is right for your outing.
The Snäckskalstriangeln hiking route connects three areas of Uddevalla with shell banks: Kuröd, Ramseröd and Älje Porsen. There are also walking trails at Skalbankarna, where you can visit the Skalbanksmuseet. Alongside individual routes, there are therefore named areas and a museum to choose from as different starting points for planning your visit.
The Emauspromenaden offers a considerably shorter route option: it is approximately 600 metres long and is also easy to navigate by wheelchair, mobility scooter or pram. Compared with the longer Strandpromenaden, the difference is not only the distance but also the explicitly stated accessibility. If you’re looking for a compact route, you can take these details into account when choosing.
Gustafsberg and Cultural Discoveries
Gustafsberg is Sweden’s oldest seaside resort and spa, dating from the late 18th century. Its surviving historic buildings include the old bathhouses, which now serve as a hostel, a brick boarding-school building erected in 1897, and numerous private villas from the same period. These different types of buildings offer several historical points of interest, rather than reducing the site’s history to a single structure.
At Gustafsberg, visitors can go for a walk, swim and enjoy fika in the historic surroundings. If you’d like to combine your visit with an interest in architectural history, you’ll find the old bathhouses, the boarding-school building and the villas there. The ruins of Ture Malmgrens borg are another part of local folklore.
The Bohusläns museum offers a different way to explore culture. It has permanent exhibitions on the history of Bohuslän, temporary exhibitions and contemporary art. The museum also regularly hosts a range of events and lectures. If a particular exhibition or event is important to your visit, it’s best to check the relevant dates and current programme.
Landscape and Geological History
The Gustavsbergsområdet is part of the European Union’s Natura 2000 network of protected areas. This designation places the area within that network; Uddevalla’s trails and historic attractions offer other themes to explore during your stay.
At Skalbankarna, you can find shells of animals that lived more than 10,000 years ago, when the inland ice had just melted and Uddevalla lay underwater. If you’re interested in natural history, this site links a specific period to a change in the landscape. Together with the hiking trails and the Skalbanksmuseet, it offers a distinct point of interest alongside the town’s paths and Gustafsberg’s architectural history.
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