Valdemarsgrottan is one of the largest caves on Kullaberg, a high, roomy hollow in a ravine of dark amphibolite below Håkull, the reserve's highest point. From its mouth you look out between jutting cliffs across the water to the Bjäre peninsula, and it is one of the most visited spots on eastern Kullaberg, even though the way down is steep.
The boulder shore just below Valdemarsgrottan on Kullaberg's north side
Photo: Per-Olof Forsberg · CC BY 2.0What you'll see
The cave is about 11 meters deep and 4 meters high, formed where two sets of cracks in the rock cross. In front of the mouth stands Göken, "the cuckoo", a rock pillar that fishermen used as a landmark: from the sea it stands out against the dark opening, which is otherwise hard to spot. Fishermen called the cave Göken i hålet, "the cuckoo in the hole". In the mid-1800s Gustaf Elfverson, the innkeeper at Kullagården, gave it a name he found better suited to tourists, after the medieval Danish king Valdemar Sejr.
When the scientist Gustaf Retzius dug into the stony floor in 1902, all he found was one small flint flake. Visitors have since covered the walls with names and dates, and climbers use the solid rock walls for short routes.
Getting there
A side path of about 300 meters leaves the Blue trail between Gregers backar and Håkull and drops more than 100 meters to the shore. The last part is a scramble down rock where you need your hands. The nearest car park is at Björkeröd, just under 2 km away.
Good to know
- Closed 1 March–15 Julythe cave marks the eastern end of a bird-protection zone that stretches west to Djupadal, closed on land and at sea while birds such as the peregrine falcon nest.
- Steep and looseLänsstyrelsen counts the path down among the reserve's dangerous spots, and the scree is full of loose blocks. Keep away when it's wet or muddy.
- No firesgrills and camping stoves are only allowed at the fixed grill sites by the car parks.
