Äspet, Naturreservat

Åhus Copacabana to the south and a bird-rich lagoon to the east. Here you will also find walking and hiking trails. In the western part of the Äspet reserve you can walk in Kronoskogen, a mixed forest that is a popular recreational area. In the outdoor museum at Snickarhaken's car park in the south, you can read about life below the surface, wrecked ships, bathing life and the history of the Åland coast. There is a bird tower adjacent to the lagoon called Korran. An accessible path leads out to a nicely located picnic area near the beach.

Pine forest and deciduous forest

To the west, towards the settlement, is an old crown park (Kronoskogen). It is a moss and lichen-rich pine forest that was once planted to bind the fly sand. Today there are high natural values in the forest, mainly in terms of lichens and insects. Beech and oak forests grow at Kungslunden in the middle of the reserve. The whole area is criss-crossed by footpaths.

Popular bathing place

It is possible to combine nature experiences with a beach bath when you visit Äspet. In the southern part of the nature reserve, at Snickarhaken, there is a public bathing area down by the sea. Here the pine forest gives way to open dunes with beach rye and sand reeds.

Excellent birdwatching

At the far end of the sea, at the mouth of the River Helge, is a reed-covered shallow area with a large lagoon, Korran, and an open sandy beach. This area is important for birds. Especially in late summer and fall, the area is filled with waders and small birds that have stopped on their way south. In the lagoon area and on the sandy reefs, terns and avocets, among others, nest. This part of the reserve is a bird protection area with a ban on entry from March 15 to September 30. But there are two bird towers that can be reached from the parking lot down by the sea in the eastern part of the reserve.

Outdoor life

The bird-rich lagoon to the east and the fine beaches to the south attract both birdwatchers and bathers. But there are also walking and hiking trails. In the western part of the reserve is the popular recreation area Kronoskogen. In the outdoor museum at Snickarhaken's parking lot in the south, you can read about life below the surface, lost ships, bathing life and the history of the eel coast. At the beach in Snickarhaken there are two campfire sites. Remember to bring charcoal if you are going to barbecue and to take your rubbish home. There is a bird tower adjacent to the lagoon called Korran. **Please note that the lagoon (Korran) is a bird protection area - during the period March 15 - September 30, it is only allowed to walk on the path to the viewing tower. An accessible wooden walkway runs in the direction of the birdwatching tower and up to a platform with a barbecue area near the beach - all to enable more people to get out and enjoy the birdlife and the dune area.

Äspet is one of the visitor sites in the Vattenriket Biosphere Reserve Link to another website, opens in new window. Vattenriket offers opportunities for hiking, cycling and kayaking/canoeing. Next to Helge å in Kristianstad is the Vattenriket nature center where you can get good nature guidance.

In English

Welcome to Äspet Nature Reserve

A large coastal dune landscape starts in Åhus and stretches 20 kilometers to the south. The old dunes in the nature reserve are now covered in a Scots pine woodland. Furthest out towards the sea are lagoons and sandbars, a paradise for both resting and breeding birds.

Woodland

The sand dunes in the western part of the reserve are wooded with pine. The pines were planted more than a hundred years ago to stop the sand from drifting and are now accompanied by oaks and other deciduous trees. At the center of the forest is Kungslunden (the King's Grove), dominated by large beeches and occasional oaks. The meager, sandy woodland floor results in a species-poor flora. Common woodland species such as May lily, chickweed wintergreen and wood-sorrel grow in the shade of the trees. Crested tit, coal tit and willow tit thrive in the pine woodland, together with stock dove and black woodpecker. In the southern part of the nature reserve the pine woodland is replaced by open dunes with lyme-grass and marram. Here at Snickarehaken is a public beach.

Bird paradise

Furthest out towards the sea, at the mouth of the river Helge å, is Korran, a shallow reed-covered area with a large lagoon. In late summer and autumn, the area is full of waders and small birds resting on their way south. Little tern and pied avocet are among the birds that nest in the lagoon area and on the sandbars. This part of the reserve is a bird sanctuary, and access is forbidden between March 15 and September 30. But you are welcome to visit the bird tower by using the marked trail through the pasture. There is also a bird tower in the western part of the lagoon which can be reached via a path alongside the pasture.

Regulations

Within Äspet Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• enter the area marked Bird Sanctuary on the map, during the period 15 March to 30 September, with the exception of marked trails leading to the bird towers. In addition, passage through the water area and temporary landing is permitted in a 20-metrelong x 10-metre-wide zone of the outer sand bar, located closest to the jetty pontoon, in connection with organized sailing instruction,
• without permission from the County Administrative Board, carry out scientific or other investigations than can disturb the natural environment,
• dig or in any other way damage fixed natural objects or surface formations,
• pick or dig up plants; it is, however, permitted to pick fruits, berries and mushrooms,
• remove dead wood, break off branches, fell or in any other way damage trees or shrubs,
• collect or catch insects or other animals or in any other way disturb wildlife,
• bring unleashed dogs or other loose pets,
• bring dogs on unwooded shores during the period May 15 to September 15,
• light fires with the exception of camping stoves, spirit stoves, gas stoves, grills, etc. or in designated fireplaces,
• drive motor vehicles or motorized vehicles on land other than on designated roads,
• ride on bicycles, MTB (off-road bikes) or similar other than on roads designated for vehicular traffic,
• camp,
• park other than in designated parking areas,
• park caravans or campers in parking areas within the reserve between midnight and 4 a.m.,
• ride or drive with horses,
• land with aircraft,
• damage fencing, signs or other constructions,
• put up boards, placards, posters, signs or similar, or make inscriptions, with the exception of measures according to the following point,
• mark trails with paper strips, organize orienteering check points or competitions without prior consultation with Kristianstad Municipality,
• organize competitions which could have a disturbing impact on the natural environment,
• in a disturbing manner use radios, music players, musical instruments or similar,
• moor boats or other craft,
• install any form of jetties or mooring devices