Näsnabben, Naturreservat

The Näsnabben reserve is located on the northern shore of Skärsjön. The valuable beech forest is partly very old and is home to many unusual species. If you want to experience the diversity of the forest, there is a five kilometer long hiking trail in the reserve. The reserve is part of Åkulla bokskogar, a collective name for about ten reserves located in the same scenic area.

From the parking lot in the northeastern part of the reserve, you can reach a stately beech forest with large beech trees. The area is also home to oaks that sprouted 200 years ago. If you look closely at the coarse bark of the trees, you can see several different lichens and mosses. Some are so small that you need a magnifying glass to distinguish them. Species such as the noble crown lichen, the mealybug lichen and the beech feather moss are demanding species that only grow in environments with old trees. The same applies to several of the threatened beetles found in the area, such as the four-spotted wood fungus beetle, the white-crowned beetle and the broad-headed mold beetle.

Wings of history

The Näsetstigen trail runs through the reserve and is part of the Åkulla area's trail system. Along the trail there are signs telling about the remains of crofts and other cultural history. Most of the forest has been untouched for a long time, but there are traces of human activity. Old maps reveal that there were at least two farms in the area. The foundations of the houses are clearly visible and an earth cellar has been restored at one of the croft sites. The open fields have become overgrown, but cairns remain and bear witness to earlier farming. When an ancient farmer was clearing a field, he removed the stones that were in the way of cultivation and placed them in cairns.

Valuable swamp forest

The swamp forest that borders Skärsjön is home to the common alder, a tree species that thrives on damp ground. So does the little goldenrod, a decimeter-high plant with small yellow flowers surrounded by yellow-green, shiny bracts. The goldenrod often grows in large stands and flowers from April to June.

Accommodation options in the surrounding area

The Åkulla area offers accommodation in hotels, hostels and B&Bs. There are also cafés and restaurants in the area.