Östens naturvårdsområde is a nature conservation area in Sweden, characterized by its diverse landscape centered around Lake Östen. This shallow, nutrient-rich lake is an internationally significant wetland, renowned for its exceptional birdlife and surrounded by open shore meadows, oak pastures, and cultivated farmland. The region's varied terrain, including easily walkable trails and mostly paved surfaces, makes it suitable for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, jogging, and more. Ancient stone walls and cultivation cairns also contribute to the…
47
Routes
4.5
(28)
Average rating
268
People visited

4.7
(3)
15
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
1.32km
00:22
20m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
6
hikers
16.8km
04:18
70m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.3
(3)
5
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.7
(7)
17
riders
34.5km
02:12
130m
130m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(4)
13
riders
38.0km
02:42
110m
110m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
31.4km
02:00
270m
270m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(3)
11
riders
29.4km
02:06
80m
80m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

15
riders
83.0km
04:45
670m
670m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

15
riders
46.0km
02:12
250m
250m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

13
riders
63.0km
03:27
480m
480m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

13
riders
59.5km
02:46
300m
300m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

9
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
runners
16.8km
01:54
70m
70m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
10.9km
01:09
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
5.35km
00:34
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(1)
3
riders
21.7km
01:41
100m
100m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
48.6km
03:07
260m
260m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
2
riders
32.4km
02:15
90m
90m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
2
riders
34.1km
02:22
250m
250m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

3
riders
24.4km
01:32
100m
100m
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
36.3km
02:02
190m
190m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
33.9km
02:02
100m
100m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
36.4km
02:09
110m
110m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Östens naturvårdsområde offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Jogging, Mountain biking, and Gravel biking. The area features easily walkable trails and routes suitable for various skill levels. More than 500 visitors have rated routes in the area, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Yes, Östens naturvårdsområde has several hiking trails. A notable route is a trail stretching about 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) along Lake Östen, accessible from the Öja bird tower. The nearby Silverfallet-Karlsfors Nature Reserve also features an easy loop trail around the Silverfallet waterfall and Högsböla meadows. For more information, refer to the Hiking in Östens naturvårdsområde guide.
The area provides various cycling opportunities for both touring and road cycling, with many routes on mostly paved surfaces. The 'Östen runt på cykel' route is a popular option. Guides for Cycling in Östens naturvårdsområde and Road Cycling Routes in Östens naturvårdsområde are available.
Östens naturvårdsområde offers easily walkable trails suitable for families. The Silverfallet waterfall and Högsböla meadows loop in the nearby Silverfallet-Karlsfors Nature Reserve is an easy hike with accessible paths. For specific options, consult the Family-friendly hikes in Östens naturvårdsområde guide.
The central feature is Lake Östen, a shallow, nutrient-rich lake recognized as an internationally significant wetland and a valuable bird lake. The landscape also includes open shore meadows, oak pastures, and cultivated farmland. Old stone walls and cultivation cairns are present in the grazing lands, reflecting the region's agricultural history.
Yes, Östens naturvårdsområde is an exceptional location for birdwatching due to Lake Östen's status as a protected bird area and internationally recognized wetland. It serves as a crucial resting spot for thousands of migratory geese, swans, ducks, and waders. Bird towers and platforms are available for observation, especially during spring and nesting periods.
An information center is located at Logården, featuring an outdoor exhibition about Lake Östen. This facility also offers a seasonal café and toilets that are open year-round. Several parking areas provide easy access to different parts of the reserve.
The official information for Östens naturvårdsområde is available on the Länsstyrelsen Västra Götaland (County Administrative Board of Västra Götaland) website. The official website is https://www.lansstyrelsen.se/vastra-gotaland/besoksmal/naturreservat/osten.html.
Yes, komoot offers specific guides for various activities in the area. You can find guides for Running Trails in Östens naturvårdsområde, MTB Trails in Östens naturvårdsområde, and Gravel biking in Östens naturvårdsområde.
Östens naturvårdsområde is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 500 visitors having explored the area. Routes in the region have received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from nearly 100 ratings.
The general contact number for Länsstyrelsen Västra Götaland, which manages Östens naturvårdsområde, is +46102244000. This number can be used for official inquiries regarding the nature conservation area.

