Kjugekull, Naturreservat

The hill Kjugekull rises on the southern shore of Lake Ivösjön. This peak once stood out like an island in a tropical sea. The shells and skeletons of sea creatures from this time have become the chalk limestone of the area. Look especially for chalk limestone in rounded pits (potholes) in the bedrock. Today's nature is varied with both juniper-covered pastures and beech forest. From the top, fine views of Ivösjön and Oppmannasjön await, but Kjugekull also offers flower-rich pastures, old cultural remains and large boulders that attract climbing (bouldering). Several trails take you around the area. The outdoor museum and adjacent homestead offer in-depth information about the area's nature and cultural history, and in the summer you can also enjoy a coffee break.

Primeval mountain peak in former tropical sea

The 1,400 million-year-old Kjugekull bedrock stands out as a peak in the much younger Cretaceous bedrock in the area. The Cretaceous bedrock is 'only' 75 million years old and consists of fossilized shells and skeletal parts of plankton and other marine animals. During the Cretaceous period, large parts of Skåne were covered by a shallow tropical sea with coral reefs, sharks and aquatic dinosaurs. You can therefore find Cretaceous limestone in potholes and other cavities in the bedrock. At Kjugekull, there are around 50 such giant pots containing limestone from ancient sea creatures. If you want to find whole shark teeth, you will have to go to the neighboring reserve Ivö klack out on Ivön.

Height with views, large boulders and bouldering

The area is hilly with a height difference of about 60 meters between the ridge and the lowest parts. From the top you have a fantastic view of Ivösjön and Oppmannasjön. There is also an ancient site up here that is believed to be the remains of a castle or burial mound. There are many large boulders around the ridge. Long thought to have been broken off and formed during the Ice Age less than 100,000 years ago, chalk deposits show that they are at least 75 million years old. These boulders make the area particularly attractive for bouldering. Already on the way up to the homestead, a couple of large boulders are visible. Once inside the reserve, they become more and more numerous and are scattered around the entire height.

Outfield with hillocks, fig trees and unique butterfly

The nature is varied with both open and wooded slopes. The large natural pasture north of the ridge is a very old forest and pasture allotment, so-called outfield, to Kjuge village. Up on the grazed hill, you'll find wood anemone and exclusive species such as the sand carnation and the lesser celandine. You can also see the purple field bindweed, which only blooms in late summer. This flower is particularly important for the rose moss butterfly, which is unique to the area and only found here in the whole country. There are also many cultural-historical remains in the pasture, in the form of Iron Age cathedral rings, as well as stone walls and enclosures from more recent times.

Outdoor life

Kjugekull is located about three miles northeast of Kristianstad and is one of northeastern Skåne's most visited outdoor areas. Many people come here to hike, watch birds and enjoy the view. Kjugekull is also known as one of Sweden's best areas for bouldering (rock climbing). There is a shorter red-marked loop that goes through a forest with boulders and potholes. It can be linked to the longer blue trail that takes you through juniper-covered natural pastures, beach forest and heights with fine views of both Ivösjön and Oppmannasjön. This trail also has sections with mighty boulders. There is a connecting trail (1.7 km) between the reserve and the Bäckaskog Castle visitor center. For more information about the reserve, visit the outdoor museum run by Regionmuseet Skåne and the Villands härads hembygdsmuseum with café adjacent to the reserve.