From the wooden porch of Solskenet, you’d never guess that just a 30-minute drive north, there’s a wild archipelago waiting to be discovered—Ombo Öar, one of southern Sweden’s best-kept secrets. These islands float quietly in Lake Viken, untouched and unspoiled, shaped by wind, water, and time.
A Landscape Carved by Nature
Ombo Öar isn’t just a place—it’s an experience of Swedish wilderness at its purest. The islands are part of a protected nature reserve, made up of dozens of small, forested islets and rocky outcrops, fringed with reeds and pine trees that lean over the water.
Here you’ll find:
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Ancient pine and spruce forests covering the islands
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Smooth glacial rocks perfect for sunbathing or swimming from
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Quiet bays and shallow lagoons ideal for beginners in kayak or canoe
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Wildlife like ospreys, deer, foxes, and even the occasional beaver
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Rare orchids, mosses, and fungi in the untouched undergrowth
It’s a mosaic of ecosystems—water, forest, rock—changing with the seasons, always quiet, always wild.
Paddling Between the Islands
Ombo Öar is best explored by water. Bring your own canoe or rent one locally (we’re happy to connect you). Paddling between the islands is easy and meditative, with calm water and almost no boat traffic.
You can:
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Paddle a short loop between 3–5 nearby islands
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Plan a full day trip with swimming stops and lunch on a sunny rock
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Or even stay the night with a tent or tarp, wild camping is allowed in accordance with Allemansrätten (Swedish right of public access)
Swedish summer life – The canal comes alive in summer with cafés, small shops, and open-air life — but never feels crowded.
Where to Start
The easiest access points for Ombo Öar are near Tiveden National Park, just northwest of Solskenet. Two great launching spots:
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Korsholmen – Offers access to the southern islands, with a small car park and calm water
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Sannerud/Vassviken – A bit further west, but closer to some of the larger islands with hiking trails and fire pits
The islands stretch northward toward Tibro kommun, but they belong to their own quiet world, far removed from towns or tourist trails.
What You’ll Feel
There’s a kind of hush that falls over Ombo Öar. No engine sounds, no houses in sight—just the whisper of wind through pine needles, the splash of your paddle, and the occasional call of a loon echoing across the water.
It’s the kind of place that invites you to:
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Breathe more deeply
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Walk more slowly
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Let the clock go for a while
Back to Solskenet
After a day among the islands, you’ll return to Solskenet with that soft lake-wind still in your hair. Light the pellet stove, cook a simple dinner, and feel the deep satisfaction of having spent the day off-grid, truly connected to the land and water.
Ombo Öar isn’t famous—and that’s exactly why we love it.
When you stay at Solskenet, we’ll show you the way to this secret lake paradise.
