"Distinct traces of the land uplift, and its effect on nature and culture, can be observed in Svedjehamn, Björköby, in the heart of the Kvarken World Heritage area. Along the nature trail Bodvattnet runt, the visitor is able to learn more about these effects, while also observing the most magnificent De-Geer moraines in the Kvarken area from the 20 meter high observation tower Saltkaret. Along the trail is also Bodback, which was used as a harbor as late as in the 1930s." source
We followed the path to the tower, not Panike (which is an outlook point on the edge of the island
Various signage says that the tower is about 20m tall, corresponding to 2000 years of land uplift in Finland. There is a view of the harbor -- now only home to tiny boats -- which had to be moved to the other side of the island in the 30s.
View of the moraines:
And a view of the harbor:
After the view from the tower, we went on the smallish route (3km) and chose the path which was "more variable and closer to the water".
Some more varied scenery:
In the edge of the water to the right, in the righthand/second picture above, you see a little red. It really was red, and I am guessing from the notorious red algae one hears tell of, as one of these consequences of too-hot summers. Finland has suffered its local version of the same heat wave that has hit the rest of Europe, so I suppose one should not be surprised.
At the end of the walk, a fog rolled in, very quickly, and very localised to this island (after crossing the bridge to the next island, the skies were clear).
The walk was nice and interesting until we were attacked by a very persistent, broad winged bug which, when thrown away, came back, and creepily liked burrowing under the hair. I had a bit less trouble with them, until closer to and in the car, when I fended off two of them. Turns out, they were likely there because of the highland cattle raised in the area (along our more scenic path), given they were these ugly things,:
"Lipoptena cervi, the deer ked or deer fly, is a species of biting fly...They are parasites of elk, deer, and other bovines, burrowing through the fur and sucking the blood of the host animals. ...L. cervi is a poor flier and can only fly for short distances. Once the insect reaches its target, it sheds its wings and starts burrowing through the fur....[they are ] a newly discovered vector for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacterium that causes anaplasmosis, and also for Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease.[3] They...bite humans, and the bites are said to be painful and may cause an allergic skin reaction. Initially, the bite may be barely noticeable and leaves little or no trace. Within 3 days, the site develops into a hard, reddened welt. The accompanying itch is intense and typically lasts 14 to 20 days. Occasionally, an itch papule may persist for a year.[4] ...Remains of L. cervi have been found on Ötzi, the Stone Age mummy from the Schnalstal glacier in South Tyrol"Getting back to home base, went for a walk to the nearby harbor for some nature that wasn't so aggresive.
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| nice map of the archipelago |
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| view of sunset from the harbor |
Next, hike in Öjberget, bike rides, and wrapping up the trip.
