The Skåneleden trail

Skåne offers a wide variety of hiking experiences. Stroll along the coast with views of the sea, follow a trail surrounded by majestic beech forests, or hike across vast plains. The over 1,300 kilometers long Skåneleden is divided into six sections, which are described below. Both beginners and experienced hikers will find inspiring trails to enjoy.

The Skåneleden trail in short

  1. Length: 1300 kilometres
  2. Number of stages/hiking days: 115 sections divided into 6 sub-trails
  3. Length of stages: 3–26 km (1–8 hours of hiking per day)
  4. Water/food along the trail: Along certain trails, there are restaurants, kiosks, grocery stores, and access to water. The water posts are open from April 15 to October 15.
  5. Accommodation during the hike: Some sections offer accommodation along the trail. Nearly all sections have campsites with shelters. A tent may be necessary depending on the chosen section.

Map of the Skåneleden trail

This map is a planning tool and should not replace a physical map and compass. The service “Naturkartan” is operated by a company called “Outdoor map”. Please note that trail information is owned and updated by the respective trail administrator (e.g. municipality or county administrative board).

Discover the Skåneleden trail

The many sections of Skåneleden are like a buffet for hikers. You decide which type of nature or terrain that suits you best. Take a 32-day hike from north to south, or treat yourself to a three-day coastal walk. The choice is yours!

In the north, the trail passes through the dense Göinge forests. In central Skåne, you hike through Söderåsen National Park with its majestic beech forests. On Österlen, coastal hiking awaits, with fishing villages, secluded bays, and exciting attractions like Stenshuvud National Park. Along the west coast, you’ll not only enjoy sea views but also experience the rock formations of Kullaberg and the famous sandbanks of the Falsterbo Peninsula. In northeastern Skåne, the scenic and historic Vattenriket offers another beautiful landscape to explore.

Skåneleden can be hiked year-round. In spring, you’ll witness fields of yellow canola and woodlands carpeted in newly blossomed wood anemones. In summer, the warm waters of the bays are inviting for a swim. In late autumn, the beech forests turn vibrant orange, and in winter, the landscape becomes dramatically stark.

For those who prefer a fixed base for day hikes, several STF accommodations are located near the Skåneleden Trail.



See and do along the trail

The number of attractions and activities along Skåneleden’s six sub-trails is nearly endless. Art exhibitions, flea markets, apple orchards, fishing villages, castles, fortresses, caves, rock formations, and historical sites are just a few examples.

Don’t miss

Depending on which section of the 115 stages you choose, there are exciting discoveries to be made. Research your hike beforehand to ensure you don’t miss out on nearby attractions along your selected trail.

Transport to the trail

Public transportation in Skåne is well-developed and can be used to reach many of Skåneleden’s stage starting and ending points. Plan your trip at Skanetrafiken.se.

Trail markers

Skåneleden’s trail markers are orange. These can be arrows, poles, or markings on trees. There are also signposts for guidance.


Hiking tips for Skåneleden

Here are some hiking tips for those who wish to explore a part of Skåneleden. The tips include several daily sections. You can find more information about each sub-trail on Skåneleden.se.

Of course, it’s perfectly fine to hike in the opposite direction of the order in which the sub-trails are presented.

Sub-trail 1: Sölvesborg–Ängelholm

370 kilometers, 27 sections, 1–8 hours of hiking per day.
Accommodation:
Hotels, hostels, cottages, tents, shelters.

Sub-trail 1, known as Coast to Coast, stretches through all of northern Skåne, from the east coast to the west coast. Start from the east and you begin your hike on one of Skåneleden’s oldest sections, completed in 1978. You’ll pass dense beech forests, waterways, lakes, and rolling ridges, along with many cultural and historical sites, such as the author Harry Martinson’s childhood home, Snappetorp.

The surrounding areas of the trail are varied, with beech forests, plains, hilly forest areas, and coastal meadows. During section 17, you’ll pass through the fairytale landscape of Hovs Hallar, among exciting cliffs and pebble fields.

Sub-trail 2: Hårsjö–Trelleborg

325 kilometers, 33 sections, 1–8 hours of hiking per day.
Accommodation:
Hotels, hostels, cottages, tents, shelters.

Sub-trail 2 is called North to South, running through the inland of Skåne. In the north, you’ll hike through dense forests. Between sections four and five, you’ll encounter unique castle environments. As you head south, the landscape becomes more open. On the penultimate stretch, you’ll pass interesting remnants from the Ice Age, including Ullbergkroken and the so-called “kettle holes.”

The place names along this 325-kilometer journey are as imaginative as the landscape itself. Olastorp, Rövarekulan, Krankesjön, Väderkullen, and Fru Alstad are just a few examples.

Sub-trail 3: Åstorp–Brösarp

162 kilometers, 14 sections, 2–8 hours of hiking per day.
Accommodation: Hotels, hostels, cottages, tents, shelters.

Sub-trail 3, called Ridge to Ridge, begins on the northern slopes of Söderåsen and ends at Linderöåsen. On the fourth section, you enter the majestic Söderåsen National Park, where wilderness feelings mix with grand views over rolling beech-covered hills. In the middle of the trail, deep in Skåne, you’ll pass remnants of volcanoes, such as hexagonal pillars emerging from the old crater pipe. Shortly after, you’ll wander into the fairytale-like Frostavallen.

Sub-trail 4: Ystad–Ystad

188 kilometers, 14 sections, 1–8 hours of hiking per day.
Accommodation: Hotels, hostels, cottages, tents, shelters.

Sub-trail Österlen is a loop that begins and ends in Ystad. The first half runs along the sea, through picturesque fishing villages, long white beaches, and lush beech forests. North of Kivik, the trail turns away from the coast and into the famous hills of Brösarp. As you head south again, you’ll pass the Nordics’ largest alum mine and Skåne’s highest waterfall.

Sub-trail 5: Utvälinge–Bulltofta

214 kilometers, 19 sections, 1–8 hours of hiking per day.
Accommodation:
Hotels, hostels, cottages, tents, shelters.

On the Öresund sub-trail, the sea is always nearby, as the trail follows along Skåne’s east coast. After exploring the coast of Skälderviken, the trail climbs up to the Kullaberg Nature Reserve, where you’ll find rauks, caves, and sweeping views. The trail continues through Helsingborg and Landskrona and ends in the heart of Malmö.

Two standalone trails connected to the Öresund sub-trail are “Falsterbo Runt” and “Ven Runt.” Both are worth a visit. Don’t forget your swimwear!

Sub-trail 6: Bökestad–Drakamöllan

50 kilometers, 4 sections, 1–8 hours of hiking per day.
Accommodation:
Hotels, hostels, cottages, tents, shelters.

SL6 Vattenriket is the newest addition to Skåneleden. The first four completed sections take you from lush inland areas to rugged coastal landscapes, passing through charming small towns with plenty of amenities. Starting north of Kristianstad, the trail leads through bird-watching havens along the Helge river. The trail continues through idyllic countryside to historic Åhus, and then along kilometers of white sandy beaches all the way down to Nyehusen. The massive oaks at Ekenabben, the lagoon at Äspet, and the dramatic sand pits of Gropahålet are highlights along the way.

The sub-trail, known as “Vattenriket,” will eventually stretch 150 kilometers from Bökestad on the Blekinge border to Drakamöllan on Österlen, expected to be fully completed by 2023.

More hiking tips

Read more about the Österlenleden if you’re looking for a beautiful coastal route along Skåneleden.

Accomodations along Skåneleden

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