Örskär
07/28/2015 20:25
Örskär, the island
Welcome to Örskär, a small island in the northernmost outpost of the Uppland archipelago. On Örskär you can swim and fish from round, smooth rocks, hike on forest trails in the nature reserve and climb the magnificent lighthouse, designed by the royal architect, Carl Hårleman.
Örskär is an island in the Uppland archipelago, immediately north of Gräsö on the east coast of Sweden in the Baltic Sea. In the north and the east is the open sea as far as the eye can see. The island is about 400 hectars and most of the island is a nature reserve.
Örskär lighthouse, built in 1738, is still in operation and SMHI, The Swedish Weather Board, has a weather station on the island. Örskär is mentioned every day in the shipping forecast on the Swedish Radio.
The island has a varied landscape with rocky shorelines where the sea buckthorn grows, sparse pine woods , and marshes similar to those in the north of Sweden. On the western part of the island the landscape is more cultivated and there are beach meadows where cattle graze again after 50 year's absence.
During the spring and autumn Örskär is a good place for bird-watching and the island can boast an impressive list of rare birds through the years. White-tailed eagles are visible almost every day. The flora is rich and more than 18 different species of orchids have been found on the island. In the marshes, rare pool frogs can be seen and even leeches, both of which are endangered species.
The hostel
The hostel opened in 1998 and is located next to the lighthouse in the old lighthouse-keepers’ house and has a splendid sea view. There is a total of 18 beds in five rooms in two apartments with separate entrances. The apartments have showers, WC and well-equipped kitchens.
The hostel is open from May to September. During summer, the cafeteria next-door is open and you can have lunch and even dinner in the evenings.
Apartment 1: 8 beds
Tarran 2 beds, bunk bed
Pjukarn 2 beds, double bed
Gudingen 4 beds, bunk bed
Shared kitchen, shower and toilet.
Apartment 2: 10 Beds
Argos 4 beds, bunk bed
English shoal 6 beds, bunk bed
Shared kitchen, shower and toilet.
Prices Hostel 2015
One bed in the six-bed-room, English Shoal:
280 SEK / bed and night (children 140 SEK, 3-15 years). Bunk beds.
The twin room Tarran:
Room price 560 SEK. Bunk bed.
The twin room Pjukarn:
Room price 750 SEK. Double bed.
Four-bed rooms Argos and Gudingen
Low season 280 SEK / bed and night (children 140 SEK, 3-15 years).
See website (Swedish only): https://www.orskarsfyr.se/