Skurugata

Skurugata is a rock canyon in southern Sweden, an 800 meter long gorge which runs 20 to 50 meters deep and 7 to 24 meters wide.

There are several different theories for its origin but one of the more popular theories claims that it was created by parallel faulting. The mountain around the gorge itself, and the stones spread across its bottom, consist largely of grey-brown and dark-brown porphyritic rock with elements of quartz and red felspar. Several species of moss grows in and around the gorge, including "Junger-mania orcandesis" and "Steodon inponens".

In the middle of the gorge there is a loose rock that can be removed to reveal a hole in the mountain wall where you will find a guestbook signed by other visitors (the exact location is marked by a small sign). In the summer, the temperature at the bottom of the gorge is typically somewhat lower than the area around the it, and in certain extreme years, pockets of snow and ice have remained until well into the summer. Early in the season, and after heavy rainfall, parts of the gorge may fill with water.

The area has been declared a "naturreservat" (forest and wildlife reserve) by the County Forrestry Board and thus it's forbidden to damage the vegetation, to camp and light fires, to drive moto-driven vehicles and to leave litter. Hiking is allowed (and encouraged) in this beautiful area which has a 2000 meter long hiking trail that takes you through both the gorge and up to Skuruhatt.

References

* Some of the facts in this article comes from a sign that stands just by the nearby parking lot.