Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [29]
Färnebofjärden Noted for its abundant bird life, forests, rare lichens and mosses. Good road access to the eastern side.
Fulufjället Sweden’s newest national park (2002) contains Njupeskär, the country’s highest waterfall at 93m.
Garphyttan A tiny 111-hectare park easily reached from Örebro. Previously cultivated areas have fantastic springtime flower displays.
Hamra Measuring only 800m by 400m, this is a protected area of virgin coniferous forest. Access from a minor road off the E45.
Sånfjället Natural mountain moorland with extensive views. Road and foot access possible from several sides.
Skuleskogen A hilly coastal area with untouched forest, deep valleys, Bronze Age graves, good hiking trails and great sea views. Access from the nearby E4 motorway.
Tresticklan An area of natural coniferous forest, with small rift valleys and fine bird life. Access by road from Dals-Ed, in Dalsland.
Tyresta Stockholm’s own national park: an extensive forest area with huge 300-year-old pines and interesting rock formations. Easy access by car or bus.
Töfsingdalen Exceptionally wild and remote, with virtually impenetrable boulder fields and pine forest. Must be approached on foot.
Ängsö A tiny island in the northern Stockholm archipelago noted for wonderful meadows, deciduous forest, bird life and spring flowers. Boat access from Furusund.
Southern Sweden
Blå Jungfrun A wonderful island with smooth granite slabs, caves, a labyrinth and great views. Boat access from Oskarshamn.
Dalby Söderskog A forested haven of peace for people and wildlife. Bus access from Lund.
Djurö Bird life and deer on an archipelago of 30 islands in Lake Vänern. Access by private boat only.
Gotska Sandön A beautiful sandy isle featuring dunes, dying pine forest and varied flora and fauna, including unusual beetles. Boats from Nynäshamn and Fårösund.
Norra Kvill A tiny 114-hectare park noted for its ancient coniferous forest, excellent flora and gigantic boulders.
Söderåsen A new park easily reached by road. Contains deep fissure valleys, lush forests and flowing watercourses. Pleasant hiking trails and cycling paths.
Stenshuvud A small coastal park with a great combination of beaches, forest and moorland. Easily reached by road; buses from Simrishamn.
Store Mosse Dominated by bogs with sand dunes, and noted for its bird life and great views. A road runs through the park.
Tiveden Wild hills, forests and lakes, plus extensive boulder fields, beaches and excellent viewpoints. Minor roads and trails pass through it; access from Rd 49.
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ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Ecological consciousness among Swedes is high, and reflected in concern for native animals, clean water and renewable resources. Sweden has a good record when it comes to environmental policies. Industrial and agricultural waste is highly regulated, sewage disposal advanced, greenhouse gas emissions low, and recycling extremely popular.
The North and, particularly, the Baltic Seas are suffering severe pollution, eutrophication and vast algae blooms, caused partly by nitrogen run-off from Swedish farms. As a result, herring, sprats and Baltic salmon contain much higher than average levels of cancer-causing dioxins; they’re still being sold in Sweden at the time of writing, but with a health warning attached.
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You can swim, and fish for trout and salmon, in the waters by Stockholm’s city centre.
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Overfishing of these waters is also a huge cause for concern, with cod and Norwegian lobster on the verge of extinction. Fishing quotas are determined by the EU as a whole, and there’s been a constant struggle to achieve balance between sustainable fish stocks and consumer demand, according to the website of the Swedish Government Offices. The current Swedish government has moved to reduce cod-fishing quotas as well as increase the amount of funding for fishing controls.
Some 47% of Sweden’s electricity generation comes from hydroelectric