Gyllebo, Naturreservat

The Sjöstigen trail, which is about 4 km long, takes you around Österlen's largest lake, an oasis nestled in the greenery of the forest. In the Gyllebo nature reserve there are several rest areas and fireplaces along the trail. In the western part, the trail can be extended with Åsstigen, about 2.1 km. North of the lake there is a bridle path and a rest area adapted for horses. The fish fauna includes pike, perch and eel and through Gyllebosjöns fiskevårdsområde it is possible to buy fishing licenses and to rent boats in the lake.Gyllebo castle and castle ruin is located on an islet in the lake. It is privately owned but may be open to the public on certain occasions.

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Old trees teeming with life

The forests around Lake Gyllebosjön contain many old trees and a large amount of dead wood. This means that there are plenty of wood-living fungi, mosses and lichens, including beech spring lichen and the pink lichen. In the wetter parts, mainly on the southern side of the lake, there are swampy forests with alder, small marshes and small open water pools. In these small waters you can find great crested newts, long-legged frogs and tree frogs.

Home of the dormouse

The rare hazel dormouse thrives in scrubland with hazel, blackberry and wild honeysuckle. It is not often that you see this shy animal. But when the leaves fall in the fall, you can keep an eye out for the mouse's summer nest made of leaves, grass and branches. The dormouse itself spends the winter in deep hibernation down in its cozy nest under the roots of the tree.

Fishing and swimming in Lake Gyllebo

Lake Gyllebosjön is the largest lake in Österlen. It is a deep, clear lake with lots of fish. There are both planted species such as pike-perch and rainbow trout and a natural fish fauna with pike, perch and eel. Through the Gyllebosjön fisheries management area, it is possible to buy fishing licenses and to rent boats in the lake. In the eastern part of the lake there is a bathing area with barbecue facilities and toilets.

Gyllebo castle and castle ruins

On an islet in the lake, outside the nature reserve itself, is Gyllebo castle and castle ruins. The settlement on the islet dates from the 13th century and the castle ruins are probably a remnant of the castle that Laurids Lauridsen Knob had built in 1538-1544.

Outdoor life

The Sjöstigen trail, which is 4 km long, takes you around the lake. There are several rest areas and fireplaces along the trail. Remember to bring charcoal if you are going to barbecue and to take your rubbish home. In the western part, the trail can be extended with Åsstigen (2.1 km). North of the lake there is a bridle path and a rest area adapted for horses. It is also possible to get around the entire lake on horseback. If you visit the area in late spring/early summer, keep your ears open for the whistling of the summer gannets! In the eastern part there is a nice bathing area with parking and toilet adjacent to this. Another parking lot is located south of the lake. The nearest bus stop is Gyllebosjövägen, which is about 1.5 km from the reserve.

In English

Welcome to Gyllebo Nature Reserve

The lake Gyllebosjön is like an oasis embedded in the lush woodland. There are great opportunities to both swim and hike in the lush broad-leaved woodlands. Discover the exciting broad-leaved swamps along the woodland path or have a picnic at one of the rest areas.

Woodland

The woodland around Gyllebosjön contains many old trees and a large amount of dead wood. This means that there are a lot of wood-dwelling fungi, mosses and lichens, among them Pyrenula nitida and Bacidia rosella. In the wettest parts, mainly to the south of the lake, there are swamps with black alder, smaller carrs and small open patches of still water. In these small ponds you can find northern crested newt, agile frog and European tree frog.

A Home for the Hazel Dormouse

The rare Hazel Dormouse thrives in bushy areas with hazel, blackberry and honeysuckle. It is not often that you'll see this shy creature, but when the leaves fall in the autumn you should keep a look-out for the dormouse's summer nest made of leaves grass and twigs. The Hazel Dormouse spends winters hibernating in its cozy nest under the roots of a tree.

Swim and Fish in the Gyllebosjön

Gyllebosjön is the largest lake in Österlen (south-east Skåne). It is deep and clear and full of fish. There are both introduced species such as zander and rainbow trout and native species such as pike, perch and eel. There is an esker running along the bottom of the lake called Munkaryggen (the Monk's Back). It is possible to by a fishing license and hire boats through Gyllebosjön's fish conservation area. There is a swimming area with a barbecue site and toilets in the southern part of the lake.

Ride Around the Lake

It is possible to ride around the whole of Gyllebosjön on horseback on narrow roads, and there is a specially-built bridle-path on the northern side of the lake. There is also a resting place with space for the horse.

Gyllebo Castle and Ruined Fort

Gyllebo Castle and the ruins of a fort lie on an islet in the lake, outside of the reserve itself. The buildings on the islet date back to the 13th century, the ruins are of the fort that Laurids Lauridsen Knob had built between 1538 and 1544.

Regulations

Within Gyllebo nature reserve it is forbidden to:

• put up notice boards, placards, posters, signs or similar, or make inscriptions,
• blast, dig, drill, paint or in any other way damage stones, boulders, flat rocks or other types of terrain,
• carry out any form of construction work or erect objects alien to the reserve,
• cause disturbance by operating sound equipment or similar,
• camp or park caravans, campers or similar for more than 24 hours,
• light fires other than in designated places,
• drive motor vehicles other than on public and designated roads,
• park other than in designated areas,
• drive motorized craft on Lake Gyllebosjön,
• lay up boats on the shores of Lake Gyllebosjön,
• bring dogs unless on a lead,
• ride horses other than on designated bridal paths.