Stage 9 of the Bohusleden trail runs between Bottenstugan and Lysevatten in Stenungsund Municipality, traversing a significant portion of the Svartedalen Nature Reserve. Svartedalen is one of western Sweden's largest continuous coniferous forest areas, associated with mystique, vast woods, and rugged nature. This lake-rich bedrock landscape is dominated by pine and spruce forests. 

The area is important for recreation and a popular destination for outings, camps, forest hikes, mushroom and berry picking, and orienteering. 

The stage begins at Bottenstugan, a small red house near Lake Ålevatten, where there are parking facilities, a dry toilet, and wind shelters with grilling and camping areas. The trail primarily follows forest paths and is highly undulating. Good outdoor experience is recommended, as the hike through Svartedalen passes entirely uninhabited areas. 

In a few places, the trail crosses such steep sections that ropes have been installed for support. Toward the end of the stage, the hike exits the nature reserve. The landscape changes, and you continue along a forest road to the stage endpoint near Lunden and Lake Lysevatten. 

Mobile coverage is completely absent across much of the route. 

Surface: Forest path and gravel road 

Duration: 4-5 hours 

Don’t miss: The fantastic view from the cliff at the northern tip of Lake Härsvatten. 

Getting there: The Anvik bus stop near Bottenstugan is very infrequently serviced. Near Lysevatten, the Broan bus stop has buses heading toward Stenungsund a couple of times daily. 

About the nature reserve: Read more about the reserve's regulations here. 

This stage has been funded with support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development within the Rural Development Program to make the trail accessible to residents and visitors.