Rödkallen

Rödkallen (65.311784, 22.371747) is another of these outer islands where fishermen were coming since the middle-ages to fish herrings.

Belisama in Rôdkallen, June 2019
Cybèle 17 in Rödkallen, July 2016
Cybèle 17 in Rödkallen, July 2016
Stängd = fermé, Cybèle 17, July 2016
The old protective wave breaker, Cybèle 17, July 2016
The entrance of the Rödkallen harbour, as seen on Navionics sonar charts! Certainly not inviting...

But it is not easy to get there... The harbour, like in most of the places we have visited so far is located in the 0 to 3 metre zone of the nautical charts and in the 0 to 0.5 metre of the Navionics sonar charts. The Svenska Kryssar Klubb pilot book indicates that boat with a draft of 2.2 metre can make it to the harbour following the two alignments indicated in the charts. What it does not say though is that when you finally make it to the harbour, you discover too late that the harbour is closed because of a fallen pier which partially obstruct the entrance (see the header picture). A real gymkhana in a Lilliput shallow harbour. Getting out is not easier, especially with some side wind, and we will even hit a rock with the stern post, but without any damage...

Fishermen houses are centred around a small internal bay that has been drying-up over the years. Very small boats can still make it here. Fishermen houses are now summer cottages. The island is flat, with rocks and sand. Just a few trees are providing some shelter from the winds. Look carefully for the Lilliputians as you wander around as they have developed small harbours in several places throughout the island.

Belisama, June 2019
Cybèle 17, July 2016

The pilot house was transformed as a hotel, but it closed several years ago.

The inner harbour, well protected by a labirynth of rocks. Cybèle 17, July 2016.
A seal fat cooking pot used as a plant pot. Belisama, June 2019.
Inside the chapel
No paintings, but a lot of graffitis
The chapel and its Lilliput harbour.
A Lilliput harbour having dried-up
A Lilliput tugboat caught by land uplift
Another of the Heidenstam lighthouse.
The labyrinth from the lighthouse.
The Heidenstam lighthouse from the Belisama drone...
The labyrinth from the Belisama drone.
Anopther labyrinth close to the lighthouse
The same, from the Belisama drone.
Another Heidenstam lighthouse, like Svenska Högarna...

Getting there

By commercial transport

Rödkallen is probably quite difficult to access through commercial boats as the main harbour is not open anymore. However, taxi boats can access the inner bay. Check in Luleå for availability.

By own boat

Accessing Rödkallen with own boat is possible. There are two clearly marked alignments that will let you get in safely to the harbour. But this is in such a narrow space that you need to be hyper vigilant, especially if there is a bit of side wind. Boats up to 2.2 metres can get in. Both Cybèle 17 and Belisama touched some rocks on the way... So be extra careful, as it is not funny...

Rödkallen

  • Coordinates: 65.311784, 22.371747