Björkön in Lake Hjälmaren—an island and a nature reserve

Björkön was formerly part of the Göksholm estate. The forest was managed, and parts of the island were leased for farming until the 1950s and 1960s. The open fields and all the stone walls and cairns are remnants of the time when the leased farm was in operation.

The municipality of Örebro has made significant efforts to restore the old agricultural landscape. When they took over the island, these fields were becoming overgrown with brush; now, the municipality’s sheep graze on most of the land. Back when the farm on the island was inhabited, the farm’s animals grazed in the forest. The fact that they are once again grazing the fields benefits many of the plants that still grow on the island. This will eventually result in a light and open forest.

You can reach Björkön by boat, canoe, or kayak. There is an entrance on the southern part of the island in Björksundet. From the main channel, turn north into a sheltered cove where there is a large dock for mooring boats. At the entrance on the eastern part of the island, there are wind shelters, picnic areas, restrooms, and information. The hiking trail also starts from here.