Skuleskogen National Park was established in 1984 as Sweden’s 19th national park . Situated within the High Coast-Kvarken Archipelago World Heritage Site, the Skuleskogen National Park is like a physical geography textbook visualising how ice, land uplift and waves shape a landscape.
The red-coloured Nordingrå granite cliffs, the land-uplift coast and the coniferous forests constituting the borderland between north and south characterise the landscape. There are many trails and sights of interest, which can all be reached from the sea or through the park’s three new entrances.
Land-uplift
Nowhere else in the world has land been as depressed by an ice-sheet as here on the High Coast. When the ice melted at the end of the last ice age, the land began to rise out of the sea. This land uplift is still ongoing, at a rapid rate of almost one metre per one hundred years.
Old forests
In Skuleskogen, you will find one of Sweden’s coastal region’s largest ancient forests. One of its rarities is the beard lichen (Usnea longissima). It is found draped on old spruces growing on north-facing slopes with high and even humidity.
Half of the National Park consists of hills with flat boulders and sparse pine forest. Some trees are more than 500 years old and some bear scars from forest fires. The rare and large Flatheaded Pine Borer is one of the insects that enjoy this warm habitat.
Birds and mammals
The Grey-headed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Lesser spotted Woodpecker and Three-toed Woodpecker all thrive in Skuleskogen. Capercaillie and Hazel Grouse are abundant. The Lynx and the Brown Bear are few in numbers but occur on a regular basis. Moose, Red Fox, Stoat, Mountain Hare, Pine Marten, Eurasian Beaver and Red Squirrel are other examples of the Skuleskogen fauna.
Human presence in Skuleskogen
During the Bronze Age, mounds of stones were raised over the dead. These cairns were often placed by the shoreline but, due to the land uplift, they are now found 30-50 metres above sea level in the coastal forest. For several hundred years, the forests of Northern Sweden have been used for grazing and mires have been mown for hay. Within the borders of the National Park there are remains of five summer farms.
Administration and maintenance
The Skuleskogen National Park comprises some 3 000 hectares, of which 2 700 is land. The Swedish State owns the land through the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Västernorrland County Administrative Board administrates and manages the National Park. The estimated number of visitors is 20 000 per year.
During 2008-2010 we are running an EU-sponsored project building three new National Park entrances. A website, a new folder and new information signs are also included in the project as well as a new overnight cabin for visitors.
Warmly welcome to Skuleskogen National Park! Please start your visit at the Skuleskogen National Park website or e-mail Johan Uebel, Västernorrland County Administrative Board, for further information.
Protected Areas in Sweden
Stenshuvud National Park
Ängsö National Park
Tyresta National Park
Kosterhavet National Park
Tiveden National Park
Lake Hornborga Nature Reserve
Store Mosse National Park
Västmanland County
Söderåsen National Park
