"The walk from Nybrostrand to Kivik along sandy beaches, rocks and through lush deciduous forest. Here there is both exciting cultural history and great nature."
This was the Swedish Tourist Association's motivation when Österlenleden was recently named one of Sweden's twelve signature hiking trails that, in addition to being beautiful and typical of the landscape, must contain spectacular nature experiences.
Hardly surprising for us Austrians, and probably something that everyone who has ever hiked along this trail can endorse. Regardless of weather and season, a hike along the Österlenleden is something very special.
The Österlenleden, is actually part of the Skåne Trail, and extends from Ystad to Andrarum via Haväng and Andrarum further south down to Ystad again. The trail is just over 19 miles long, consists of 14 stages and also includes the smaller circular trail Österlencirkeln which begins and ends at Torparebron outside Brösarp.
However, Österlenleden is not the only Österlen trail. There are several other trails around Brösarp, such as the Yellow Trail and the newly opened Blåvingeleden up at Drakamöllan. At Smedstorp you have the local Gårdlösaleden, which goes past several exciting places and extends through the Listarum nature reserve.
Do you want to take on the Österlenleden?
Here are three different hiking suggestions:
Kivik-Simrishamn. The northern river Rörum
1. ÖSTERLEN CIRCLE
For those who want to walk on deserted paths, through deep forests and past isolated villages. You start north of Brösarp, walk over purple moors past Drakamöllan and Äskebjär before continuing into the forest through Hörröd, Rebbetuaröd and Agusa. At Andrarum you follow the Verkeån back.
Ekeröd-Brösarp. Drakamöllan
2. COASTAL HIKING
If you want to take a trip close to the beach along chalk-white sandy beaches, you can start at Kåseberga and walk north past Löderup beach, Hagestad and Sandhammar nature reserve, Mälarhusen and Borrby beach. There are many opportunities for swimming, while many ships have been wrecked among the moving sand bars.
Skillinge-Mälarhusen. Borrby Strandbad
Löderup-Nybrostrand. After Kåseberga fence in beautiful cliffs
Kivik-Simrishamn. Stenshuvud view from the southern head
3. CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL WALK
If you feel like a more cultural-historical tour, start at Stenshuvud and walk north towards Haväng. Here you pass the ancient castle on the mountain, Kiviksgraven and Ängakåsen, the Piraten statue and the market field, the site of the mythical Iron Age village of Maletofta, and finish at Havängsdösen at the mouth of the Verkeån river.
Brösarp-Kivik. Between Haväng and Kungsmölle
Facts: Skåneleden
The first stages of the Skåneleden trail were inaugurated in November 1978 and today it consists of around 125 miles divided into five sub-trails:
All around Skåne there are campsites with shelters, fireplaces and firewood - all free of charge.
Facts: Caroline Alesmark
Freelance journalist and author, has published "Österlen - utflykter, upplevelser och nya upptäckter" together with Peter Carlsson, "Cykla i Skåne" and "Vandra Skåneleden" with Kenneth Joelsson, "Gåtfulla Skåne" with Polgara Järnefelt and "Trollskog och älvdans i Skåne - vandra till gåtfulla platser" and "Barnens Skåneguide".
Photo and copyright: Caroline Alesmark and Kenneth Joelsson. The pictures are taken from the book "Vandra Skåneleden".
