Flottsbro – Nature, Hiking & History

On Skansberget, just west of Flottsbro Farm, lie the remains of an ancient hillfort.

Hidden between the water and steep cliffs at Häggstaberget lies the Gömsta Äng Nature Reserve. Established in 1966, the reserve covers just 6 hectares and includes open meadows, an alder marsh, and a grove rich in flora. Plants such as troll violet, ivy, herb paris, and others can be found here. Several rare wood fungi have also been discovered, including jelly ear, salmon bracket, and pale bracket.

Göta Landsväg, or “Gambla Lands Wägen,” is believed to be the oldest known main road from Stockholm to southern Sweden. It passes over Åsön (Södermalm) and continues through Skanstull, Hammarbysjön, and Årstaviken towards Huddinge. A later route follows Gamla Stockholmsvägen through Vårby and around Flottsbro. The old national road is still largely preserved and incorporated into the local road network. Near Flottsbro, you can follow the old road past the Rönneboda cottage down to the canal bridge.

The small creek at the bottom of the ravine has, over thousands of years, carved out Flottsbro Ravine through erosion of the surrounding shoreline terrace. The ravine hosts its own unique habitat, lined with alder, willow, bird cherry, birch, aspen, and spruce. But it’s the ground layer that’s most remarkable, rich with herbs and mosses thriving in the moist soil. Here you’ll find horsetail, ferns, forest lettuce, water avens, and more. Around 90 bird species nest in the Flottsbro area, many of them specifically within the ravine. Though it may look wild and messy due to fallen trees, this is natural. The ravine is protected for its unique environment. Please respect the area and do not litter.