Welcome to the nature reserve Ersdalen on Hönö!
I offer different hiking tours for different needs and wishes. It can be bird watching, botany, rock formations, mindfulness or whatever you need.
Below you will find a description of the different tour types, booking and what you need to know before booking.
In the plant and animal world we get to know new friends, in the mountains we marvel at shapes and patterns, and our senses get to process the roar of the sea, the rush of the wind, magnificent views and the challenges of mountain hiking. During the tour, we pause for a coffee break and, if possible, we can also take a quick dip in the sea during the tour.
Price for guided hikes:
1 - 4 people: SEK 1650
For each person beyond that: +300 SEK
During May and until the end of June I offer a very special experience. Then you can book yourself on a "Cuckoo evening" - when many other species than the cuckoo can be observed, or "Serena evening" - when the same species sing their "nocturnal tribute song" (the meaning of the word serenade). During these tours we listen to the intense song of the newly arrived spring birds and learn to recognize the most common calls (e.g. the chaffinch's "Bi bi bi bi si si si I'm a radio!"). If desired (optional) we will have a warming coffee under the canopy. These tours last for 2-3 hours.
Price for cuckoo clock/serena evening:
1 - 4 persons: 1650 SEK
For each person beyond that: +300 SEK
This is a form of therapeutic walking reminiscent of the Japanese 'forest bath', Shinrin Yoku. It involves "bathing" in the atmosphere of the forest. The form is a quiet interaction with nature where you are sensitive to what all the senses register. Smells, sounds, colors, shapes, movement, tastes; everything in nature has an impact on you as an organism. Indeed, research shows that forest bathing indicates a physiological impact on you in the form of reduced stress, this can be seen when measuring blood pressure, cortisol levels and heart rate. There have also been indicators that the immune system increases, and your mental health is also affected, as you feel that you have more energy, increased joy of life and a better mood after a forest bath. In Ersdalen Nature Reserve we meet to take care of ourselves together with nature for about 3 hours. During the tour, we pause for a coffee break.
Price for meditative hike:
1 - 4 people: 1650 SEK
For each person beyond that: +300 SEK
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Price for hiking with cooking:
1 - 4 persons: xxxx kr
For each person beyond that: +xxx kr
We meet at the parking lot (unless otherwise agreed) and then gather for a while in the forest. The tour lasts 3-4 hours and is 3-5 km long. I like to guide based on different themes: during spring and summer we can stay in the forest and learn about bird calls and different plant species. We can also go out into the mountains and take a closer look at the shapes and types of rocks, different lichens and other plants typical of the rocky environment. Wherever we go, we can meet new 'friends' in nature. During the hikes, we focus more on spending time with nature with all our senses than hiking far and learning a lot.
This includes:
- Personal guide with solid knowledge of the area's unique nature,
- backpack with seat pad, water bottle
- list of common species in the area, pen
- garbage bag
- possibility to borrow binoculars, magnifying glass, flora, bird book and mosquito repellent,
- hand cleaning
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The terrain requires you to wear a pair of sturdy shoes. Dress for the weather. Maybe you want to use hiking poles? Bring them with you! If you have your own binoculars, bird book or field flora, you can bring that too. And don't forget your swimwear if you get the urge... Since the tour only partially follows the beaten paths, it is not accessible, but it is possible to change the tour to follow graveled paths (albeit somewhat hilly). Just let me know if there are any requests for this in your group. Unfortunately, there is no access to a toilet in the nature reserve, but WC is available at Vandrarhemmet Havskatten in Hönö röds hamn (about 500 m from the start of the tour) if needed.
During the fall of 2022, I have upgraded my first aid skills with NOL's WFA (Wilderness First Aid).