3 minute read
Balsberget Hill
Fjällmossen
A hint of the high fells in the heart of Skåne
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The silence, wide open spaces, and cloudberries and sundews sprinkled over Fjällmossen evoke the wilderness feel of the far north in Sweden’s most southerly bogland.
Cloudberry
The landscape at Fjällmossen – heathland, groves of trees and natural pasture dotted with junipers – resembles that of northern Sweden. Here, where the River Mjöån has its headwaters, you may spot elk, red deer or roe deer.
In early summer lousewort, arnica and orchids bloom in the damper pasture. In autumn the landscape is carpeted purple with heather. Cloudberries, crowberries and cranberries grow in the bog.
In spring the scene is set for the trumpeting of cranes and the curlew’s mesmerising courtship display. Green woodpeckers call from the old grazing lands and the yellowhammer sings its unmistakable song. In winter golden eagles, buzzards and shrikes patrol the skies.
Peat for straw and warmth There is little sign of human activity. In contrast to many other raised bogs, peat here has only ever been cut by local farmers to use for heating and as bedding for their livestock. Traces of peat pits and machinery can still be found in the area.
INSIDER TIPS
• Good shoes are essential well into spring. Snow lingers on Fjällmossen’s paths. • Dress warm. The air is damp and cool on Fjällmossen.
FJÄLLMOSSEN 6
Brännestadsvägen
6 HOW TO GET HERE
On foot: The Skåne Trail crosses Fjällmossen. There are picnic tables along the trail and by the observation tower.
By car: From Kristianstad drive to Huaröd by first taking the E22 towards Malmö, then road 19 to Everöd and then west along Huarödsvägen to Östra Sönnarslöv and Huaröd. From Huaröd continue west to Killhult. After 2 km, turn left into Brännestadsvägen. From here there are signs to Fjällmossen.
For more details, see:
vattenriket.kristianstad.se/fjallmossen
Bird sanctuary
0 500 1000 m
Forsakar
Waterfall, beech forest and deep ravine
Forsakar’s magical surroundings, the deep ravine, waterfall and beech forest, are sure to fire your imagination. What’s that hiding down there? A water sprite, maybe? Or a forest nymph?
Golden saxifrage
The best way to experience Forsakar – once believed by superstitious locals to be the work of giants – is to follow the upper path through the majestic beech forest along the rim of the 40-metre-deep ravine.
Yellow archangel, ferns and mosses cling to the steep sides, and wild anemones and golden saxifrage bloom here in spring.
Stunning view from the platform After a while you reach a platform with a good view over Skåne’s highest natural waterfall. The 7.4 metre upper fall (‘fors’ in Swedish) is separated from the 10.6 metre lower fall by a basin-shaped ledge (‘kar’ in Swedish) which is the origin of the name Forsakar.
The trees here are home to many insects, and rare blue ground beetles live under the bark of dead wood. The forest is populated by songbirds and woodpeckers, and grey wagtail, white-throated dipper, kingfisher and heron hunt for food in the stream.
Forsakar abounds with stories of mythical creatures – the fiddle-playing sprite of the waters and forest nymphs who lure unwary young men to their doom. Who knows who you will encounter by the waterfall?
White-throated dipper
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INSIDER TIPS
• Choose the top path. Many trees on the slopes are unstable and can fall at any time. • The waterfall is best viewed from the observation platform. • Keep a look-out for dippers in the stream.
Lillaforsvägen
Observation platform
0 100 200 m Forsakar
7
Forsakarsbäcken
storp sv Forsakarsgården
Forsakarsvägen
7 HOW TO GET HERE
On foot: Forsakar is 2 km west of Degeberga village centre. In the north the path connects with those on Degeberga backar.
By bus: SkåneExpressen 3 and 4 to Degeberga School bus stop. From there it is 1.3 km to the Forsakar car park.
By car: Forsakar is signposted from road 19 through Degeberga. Turn in to Forsakarsvägen and follow the road to the car park at Forsakarsgården.
For more details, see:
vattenriket.kristianstad.se/forsakar
