Vakö myr, Naturreservat

On the border between Skåne and Småland lies Vakö Myr, one of southern Sweden's largest bog complexes. In the open area of the bog, which measures 6 square kilometers, you can experience an almost total silence. Here you will also find several bird species that are unusual for Skåne.

High bog in the border area

Vakö marsh is a typical raised bog with an open bog floor surrounded by forest. In the northern part, a few islands stand out and around the 6 km² large, open bog is old spruce and beech forest. The entire bog is 13 km². On both sides of the county border there is a reserve called Vakö myr Link to another website.. Parts of the bog complex on the Scanian side are protected in the reserve Tyringemossen Link to another website..

The fire changed the bog

During the 20th century, Vakö bog grew back more and more, but in 1992 a powerful and extensive fire broke out that made the open areas of the bog larger again. Before 46 fire brigades and 1000 people with the help of the rain had extinguished the fire, 1500 hectares of land in Skåne and Småland had burned down. Even today, fire-killed pine trees still stand on the mire. For many, the fire was a disaster. New life was brought to the mire. Among other things, the fire benefited bird species such as the heath pipit and the greenfinch, which find it difficult to survive when the mires become overgrown. Heath Pipits and Green Legs nest mainly on the Småland side, but Vakö bog is unique in Skåne as a habitat for Heath Pipits. Species such as capercaillie, black grouse, wolverine and skylark can be found in the blueberry-covered forest areas surrounding the mire. Barn owl, pearl owl and short-eared owl are also found in the area.

An old workplace

In the early 1900s, the bog was anything but deserted and quiet. Peat mining was in full swing, and at its peak 800 people were working to produce fuel for steam locomotives and heating. The author Harry Martinsson was 13 years old when he worked for the Vakö peat distillery in 1917. In his autobiographical novel "Vägen ut" he writes vividly about the hard work. In the southern part of the bog, many of the water-filled peat pits remain.

Visit Vakö bog

The reserve on the Skåne side has no visitor facilities, but at Låkan in Kronoberg county there are trails and viewpoints where you can enjoy wilderness, silence and an endless sky. The way to the parking lot is signposted from the road that passes Låkan. Boots are recommended. Remember to take your trash home.