Svaneholm, Vassen, Naturreservat

Svaneholm and Vassen are two of four nature reserves located at Svaneholm Castle. A popular destination where culture meets nature. It was here that Rutger Macklean once laid the foundation for a more modern agriculture through the single shift. Today you are greeted by old oak and beech forests dating back to the 18th century, but also fine castle environments by the clear waters of Lake Svaneholm. The accessible Hunting Trail takes you around the lake. The trail is lined with old oak trees, but also lush and magical silver birch forest. There are several rest areas and also viewing platforms that provide fine views of the castle and the lake, which offers fishing and boat trips. Start from the castle. There is a restaurant, museum and parking.

The cradle of modern agriculture

It was at Svaneholm that Rutger Macklean started the single shift at the end of the 18th century. This agricultural reform led to significantly larger harvests and increased prosperity in Sweden. The landscape and settlement patterns also changed. By moving the farms to their own, independent farming units, the old villages were split up. The farms were no longer gathered in a cluster, but as lonely islands scattered across the landscape. Simply as we are used to seeing them today.

In the northern part of the Vassen reserve there are the ruins of the croft Vasahuset, which dates back to the time of the enskift. The earth banks along the reserve's boundary are also linked to the land reform.

Forest protected from grazing

The forest was also affected by the agricultural reform. The wooded areas had previously been used as meadows and pastures, but most of them were now set aside for forest production. Today, the old forests in the Svaneholm reserves are home to a great diversity of species associated with old broadleaf forests.

Bats and rare wood fungi

Many rare species live in the forests of Svaneholm. The beech blossom beetle is one of the more exclusive beetles in the area. Otherwise, Svaneholm stands out for its many rare fungi. Some of them have names like red-footed nail fungus, cinnabar spindle fungus, ox tongue fungus, coral tag fungus and southern plate fungus. Svaneholm is also an important site for bats. Seven different species have been observed in the area, including the common pipistrelle, little pipistrelle, long-eared bat and barbastelle.

The lake and the old landscape park

The clear waters of the lake are home to a wealth of plant and animal life. No fewer than 13 different species of shells and fish such as pike, perch, tench and rudd hide among the hornwort and water moss. Above the water's surface, mayflies can be seen flying in large numbers in summer.

In the 19th century, the lake and the land around it were part of a romantic landscape park. The old trees in the meadow became part of this park, as did pairs of oaks, known as character trees. One such pair of old oaks remains at Rökhuset today. In the forest along Jaktstigen there are also old tree giants from the meadow period.

Shallow water bodies are hidden in the surrounding forests. These small bodies of water are home to amphibians such as tree frogs and edible frogs, as well as great and small newts.

Outdoor recreation

The Svaneholm and Vassen nature reserves, together with Hästhagen External link. and Norrskog External link., form a large outdoor recreation area around Svaneholm Castle where culture meets nature. The area is close to the city and can be reached by bike or bus from Skurup. The castle is the obvious starting point. There is information, a museum, a restaurant and a large parking lot. Two of the hiking trails also start here. The 2.6 km long Hunting Trail runs around Lake Svaneholm. It is accessible and is lined with several rest areas, viewing platforms and information signs. The red trail is 4.2 km long and continues into the Vassen nature reserve, passing the wind shelter. There are two further routes in the Norrskog reserve, which is within walking distance of the castle and has no parking facilities. Blue loop (2.3 km) and Yellow loop (2.3 km). From the accessible loop that goes around the lake, there is a detour to the Hästhagen reserve just east of the lake. Here you will also find a very large old oak tree that is protected as a natural monument. In Hästhagen there are few paths and it is wet and muddy in places. Rest areas and barbecue facilities are only available at Svaneholmssjön and in Vassen. Remember to bring charcoal and your rubbish home. If you are interested in fishing, fishing licenses are for sale (catch and release fishing). There are also boats for hire.

In English

Welcome to Svaneholm Nature Reserve

Much of Svaneholm Nature Reserve consists of a lake and old oak and beech woodland dating back to the 18th century. The area is home to many plant and animal species linked to the ancient trees and the lake. You have lots of excellent walking trails in the woods around the lake and at the castle.

The birthplace of modern agriculture

Landowner and politician Rutger Macklean at Svaneholm initiated a key agricultural land reform known as enskiftet at the end of the 18th century. The reform led to much bigger harvests and greater prosperity in Sweden, and changed the way the landscape and settlement patterns developed. Villages were split up when farms moved out and became individual holdings. The agricultural reform also had an impact on the forest.

The lake and the old landscape garden

The clear waters of the lake teem with rich plant and animal life. The coontail and water moss harbor no fewer than 13 different species of snail as well as fish such as pike, perch, tench and crucian carp. Back in the 19th century, the lake and its surrounding lands were part of a landscape garden, which expanded to include the mature trees of the meadow along with oaks planted in pairs, which are a symbol for the area. Just such a pair of ancient oaks still stands at the smokehouse today.

Outdoor recreation

The Jaktstigen Trail (2.6 km) goes around Lake Svaneholmssjön. It is adapted for accessibility and equipped with rest areas, lookout platforms and informational signs. The red loop continues into Vassen Nature Reserve (4.2 km). There are two other loops of just over 2 km in Norrskog Nature Reserve, not far from the castle. Fishing enthusiasts can buy a fishing license and hire a boat.

Regulations

**The Right of Public Access is limited in the four Nature reserves in the area of Svaneholm! The regulations apply for the protection of nature. You'll find a selection of the most important visitor regulations here.

• All dogs must be on a physical lead.
• You are not permitted to ride bicycles here.
• You are not permitted to ride or drive horses in the reserve.

The complete regulations of Svaneholm Nature Reserve

Within Svaneholm Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

1. remove, dig, bore, paint or in any other way damage natural objects or cultural remains,
2. cycle,
3. ride or drive horses
4. bring dogs unless on a physical leash
5. make any form of construction
6. drive motorized vehicles
7. drive motorized watercraft, such as boats, water scooter or similar craft
8. plant or sow plants or introduce animals

**Furthermore, without permission from the Country Administrative Board it is forbidden to

9. catch insects, spiders, gastropods or other invertebrate animals,

10. collect mosses, lichens or wood-living fungi.