Rotsidan Nature Reserve, located between Barstahamn and Fällsvikshamn, a few kilometers south of Bönhamn, is a unique four-kilometer low-lying "beach" made of smooth, flat, gigantic rocks.
Running these cliffs is going to be one of your most memorable High Coast vacation experiences. For trail runners and hikers, Rotsidan is a fantastic place to be!
The waves' slow labor continuously buffs the rocks' surface and the route along the long ribbon of stone shoreline offers an incredible evocative spectacle, but the highlight is the truly amazing experience of running on a diabase rock bottom that appears to have been there since the beginning of time.
Come here to run in the springtime, when the sky is clear all night and the light always casts the sea and the coast in a softly toned filter, or when the sun is already far above the sea horizon even if you get here very early in the morning.
You'll probably find yourself exploring alone, free to enjoy all of the sensations that this trail out of the patterns has to offer.
In some parts, the smooth and compact rocks of the cliff interrupt to leave room for large beaches of rocks and rounded, smaller stones. Aside from a few algae, occasionally, you will come across old tree trunks that have been bleached white by the sea.
On the north-south axis, the trail along Rotsidan that is shown on the maps is somewhat longer than 4 kilometers. It extends a little inside, but you can walk the beach off-road without restriction by keeping much closer to the water's edge and “dancing” on the rocks—basically, just staying in the bathtub.
Starting and returning from Barsta or Fällsvikshamnen along the entire distance of Rotsidan, you will cover less than ten kilometers; the difference in altitude of the route is minimal. Running free-style, jumping and improvising from time to time a direction on the rocks will be very fun.
Bring a light backpack with your supply of liquids and something to stop you making a snack, but nothing heavy or that hinders your freedom of movement. Even shoes do not necessarily have to be lugs; they just have to have a good grip.
“Not just in Rotsidan, but anywhere else on the High Coast too, running in the late evening or at night under the midnight sun is an unforgettable experience”.
In addition, I enjoy doing it in two other very special locations: Mount Skuleberget, where my favorite trails to run in these conditions are "the Elk" descent trail and "the Lynx" and "the Eagle" paths for climbing to the summit. The second excursion that I suggest running "in the night" between June and July is a ring route that stretches just over 10 kilometers and travels through some of Skuleskogen National Park's most picturesque trails and thought-provoking spots.
#HIGHCOASTRUNNER
”I’m sharing running experiences within the High Coast World Heritage site in Sweden”
Feel free to contact me:
Tommaso De Rosa
@tominthehighcoast
+46 (0)76.3136909
or +39.335.1309207 (WhatsApp too)
dockstahavet@gmail.com
Looking for a base camp by the seaside to start for your High Coast excursions?
The Airbnbs at Docksta Havet are located close to the National Park and the Skuleberget trails. Choosing a seaside lodging will set your vacation apart from the others.