Girabäckens naturreservat

Girabäckens naturreservat is beautifully situated next to lake Vättern, offering views and fascinating, unique nature. There is a walking area by the ravine, and Biosfärleden Uppgränna passes through the nature reserve.

Girabäckens naturreservat is located just outside Uppgränna, 5 kilometers north of Gränna. The area has transitioned from being a sandstone quarry to becoming a small beach. The nature reserve is beautifully situated by lake Vättern and is suitable for swimming and picnicking.

As part of the reserve, there is also the Girabäcken ravine, and the area along the ravine has a unique geological formation that was created hundreds of millions of years ago.

Rich in history and unique nature

Thanks to the remarkable geology, Girabäcken also has a very varied flora and fauna. The high humidity in the area has favored the growth of many rare plants and mosses, and many rare snails thrive in the area thanks to the moist environment.

In spring, the ravine smells of wild garlic, and you can find ivy on several trees. Down by lake Vättern, there is a secluded small sandy beach and remnants of the small harbor from which Girabäcken's yellow sandstone was transported from the nearby quarry. The stone was used, among other things, for building foundations along Strandvägen in Stockholm.

In addition to the yellow sandstone, which lies at the bottom, there are two more layers of stone in the area. The middle layer consists of colored and speckled sandstones, and the upper layer of shale and limestones. Together, these layers form the so-called ”Visingsöformationen”. This formation is found in several places around lake Vättern, but it is only in Girabäcken that you can see parts of all three layers in one place.

Girabäcken is part of Södra Vätterbranterna, a biosphere reserve, a unique area stretching from Tenhult in the south up to Omberg in Östergötland in the north.

Several hiking opportunities

Biosfärled Uppgränna passes through Girabäckens naturreservat and is a circular loop with a possible detour down to lake Vättern and great opportunities to shorten and adapt the trail. The circular loop consists of three different parts: the northern, eastern, and western parts. The northern part of the circular loop is the one that goes through Girabäckens naturreservat.

On the eastern side lies Byagården and Byaträffen with parking, dry toilet, rest area, and barbecue area. The western part of the Biosfärled Uppgränna is also known as the ”The Tourist Road” (Turistvägen). It is part of the old national road, marked as a tourist road by the Swedish Transport Administration due to its beautiful views and vibrant countryside.

How to get here