Kullabergs Naturreservat

Peaks & Caves

Kullaberg is notable for its numerous caves. The following are just a few of them.

Fisherman’s Cave
An illustrative example of how a weak point in the rock led to the formation of a cave at the south-eastern edge of the Ablahamn shingle. A conical cavity slanting up into the wall of the cave was caused by a rock rotated by the waves.

Fredrik VII’s Cave
This cave, 6 m. deep, is situated to the west of the Josefinelust area. Its width varies, although it is never less than 2.5 m. It consists of two chambers, the inner lower-lying and with a lower ceiling. Here, Stone Age artefacts have been excavated similar to those discovered at Ransvik and up by the lighthouse.
Several cultural strata have been excavated, revealing fireplaces, soot and coal alongside tools of bone and flint, numerous animal bones and large amounts of mussels and seashells. The cave was inhabited during the middle and late Neolithic period (7500-1500 BC). The inhabitants of the cave were probably accomplished fishermen, since the finds include bones from such species as cod, haddock, dogfish, plaice and eel. Porpoise and whale bones have also been uncovered.
The finds from the later Neolithic include the remnants of bones of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. The bermålen is a needle used for knitting clothes by a single-needle technique known as Nalbinding. A pottery shard dating from the Iron Age has also been found in the cave.

The Smaller Josefinelust Cave
Situated in the same kullait dyke as Fredrik VII’s Cave but with a ceiling height of only 1 m. However, it extends 6 m. into the rock.

Josefinelust Cave
Even from a distance it is easy to make out the differently angled joint systems that lie behind the formation of this easily accessible cave. The entrance extends out beyond the cave itself as the ceiling has been shortened by frost weathering.
Excavations have uncovered flint tools dating from the mid-Neolithic period above a one-metre stratum of fallen stone, a muddy cultural stratum containing the remnants of resin sealant, and wood impressions from what was probably Kullaberg’s earliest human settlement.

Oscar’s Cave
Named after Oscar II who during a visit in 1868 carved his name in the wall. The cave, almost 9 m. deep, can be seen from the ridge east of Josefinelust. The hole formed adjacent to one of the walls is known as the Wine Cellar.

The Magic Hole
A hole with a vertical entrance that today cannot be penetrated very far since its walls have collapsed. The Magic Hole is situated between the Josefinelust and Oscar II Caves.