Skanör-Höll, Naturreservat

The Skanör-Höll nature reserve is located northeast of Skanör. The reserve, which lies along the western shore of Höllviken, is a very well-preserved and characteristic remnant of the coastal grazing landscape that once stretched along Skåne's low-lying coastal areas. The land has never been fertilized and is home to a distinctive, grazing flora and a very rich bird life.

Ancient grazing landscape

Skanör-Höll was set aside as a reserve in 1995 to preserve the grazed coastal meadows. The coastal meadows have been grazed for centuries and are a remnant of the ancient grazing landscape that once stretched along the west coast of Skåne. In the grazed part of the reserve, species such as blue clover, large marsh marigold, meadow rattle, beach wormwood and Danish scurvy herb grow. In the ungrazed southern part of the reserve, the rare plant Danish iris has been found.

Rich bird life

The coastal meadows together with the shallow seabeds create a favorable environment for many bird species. Many geese, waders and gulls can be seen in the area, and during the migration period the reserve is a popular resting place for a wide range of migratory birds. Among other things, many birds of prey can be seen flying over the reserve on their way south.

Sites of cultural and historical interest

The reserve also stretches along the Bredeväg watercourse towards Skanör. Bredeväg is the old shipping route to Skanör, which was in use until the port of Skanör was built at the end of the 19th century. Heavier goods were transferred from ships anchored in Höllviken to small barges, which were then towed up Bredeväg and into Skanör. The same route was used to move the animals out to the coastal pastures. Along Bredeväg and the shore lands, you can see clear seaweed embankments. These were once built as fences and used to form the boundary between the inland and outland areas of Skanör.

The fishing huts

For a long time, the people of Skanör have anchored their small boats in the calm waters along Höllviken beach. In the southern part of the reserve there is a cluster of so-called fishing hides on the beach. The fishing huts and small boats in the bay are now used for fishing for domestic use.

Outdoor life

The marked trail that runs through the reserve is Skåneleden, but it is also possible to roam freely along the water. If you visit the area in the fall, keep your eyes open for amber among the seaweed, as these are often carried ashore by the storm waves. There is a parking lot adjacent to the reserve and the nearest bus stop is Skanör Stefan Löfvings V.

Remember to take your rubbish home.

Skanör-Höll is one of nine nature reserves around the Falsterbo peninsula. There are good outdoor recreation opportunities in the area, including hiking, bird watching and swimming. The Skåneleden trail (SL5 Öresund, stages 20 and 21) takes you around the entire peninsula. Remember that the reserves have different regulations, so check what is allowed where you are!

In English

Welcome to Skanör Höll Nature Reserve

At Knösen, the northern point of the Falsterbo peninsula, the open landscape meets the sea. Cattle have grazed along the coast for more than a thousand years, creating species-rich flowering meadows with their soft muzzles. In autumn, it is time to go on a treasure hunt along the shore. Among the seaweed swept in by stormy waves, pieces of amber are waiting to be found.

The coastal meadows are the remains of a landscape that once covered large parts of the west coast of Skåne. The land has never been fertilized and contains a diverse flora with species such as yellow-rattle, sea wormwood, common scurvygrass and saltmarsh rush. In the southern part of the reserve you find the protected species blue iris.

The shipping lane Bredeväg flows between the seaweed enclosures in the center of the reserve. In the Middle Ages, this was an important transport route, where small barges took goods from ships in the bay up to Skanör and returned laden with barrels of herring. The horse-drawn barges along Bredeväg did not disappear until the harbor was built in the late 19th century. The seaweed enclosures are special features in the costal landscape, separating fields from grazing cattle. Today, the entire peninsula is pastureland.

In spring and autumn, the shallow aquatic areas and shores are important resting places for birds. The extensive reed belts in the reserve, with sea-club rush and soft shallow bottoms, are visited annually by ducks, geese and waders. Another autumn treat is the sight of birds of prey stretching out across the sea.

Regulations

Within Skanör-Höll Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• dig, drill, paint, or in any other way damageboulders or living or dead trees or shrubs,
• deliberately disturb wildlife,
• dig up plants,
• camp or park caravans, camper, or similar,
• park other than in designated areas,
• anchor boats outside the area marked on the appendix 1 ,
• light fires other than in designated places,
• bring unleashed dogs between March 1 until August 20, with the exception for dogs used for retrieving during hunting,
• put up notice boards, placards, posters, signs, or similar, or make inscriptions.

Please note that the regulations for the Falsterbo Peninsula aquatic area - Falsterbohalvöns havsområde nature reserve - also apply to the aquatic area in Skanör-Hölls Nature Reserve.

Within Falsterbohalvöns havsområde Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• wind or kitesurf throughout the whole year within areas on the map marked with red or green stripes, and during the period 1 March - 1 July within the area indicated by red dots,
• operate watercraft at speeds exceeding 5 knots within the areas on the map marked with red stripes or red dots,
• operate watercraft at speeds exceeding 10 knots within the areas on the map marked with blue squares or green stripes,
• operate or launch water scooter, jet ski or similar watercraft in areas outside general navigable waterways. The rules do not forbid launching of water scooter or jet ski in Skanör harbor for the shortest route towards general navigable waterway no. 205 Drogden-Blenheim SJÖFS 1988:5, or launching in the Falsterbo channel for continued journey on general navigable waterway no. 206, SJÖFS 1988:5.