Lövestads åsar, Naturreservat

Lövestad's ridges rise above the fields like a wooded oasis. In summer, the beech trees form a shimmering green, high-stemmed pillared hall with a carpet of heather, yellowhammer and wild garlic. In winter, large flocks of chaffinches and mountain finches crowd the ground, feeding on the beech leaves. Wild boar and deer also seek shelter and food under the trees. You can experience the reserve both on foot and on horseback. Up on the ridge there is a memorial stone with the inscription Massa (Massa stone).

Ridges created by the ice sheet

About 15,000 years ago, the mighty ice sheet retreated and the water flowed through the cracks in the ice. The ice river left rock, gravel and sand behind and laid the foundation for Lövestad's ridges. The area has mainly been used for grazing, as the land was difficult to farm on the slopes.

Grazed deciduous forest with secrets

The bright, grazed deciduous forest was a popular hangout for the local population in the late 19th century. It was the site of a dirt-floored dance hall, and the lively vicar and his companions liked to party in the shelter of the forest. The strange 'mass stone' is a reminder of 19th century forest adventures.

Today, most beech trees of the same age grow on Lövestad's ridges. The goal is that in the future beech, forest maple and elm will grow, young and old alternately. There should be dense forest interspersed with light glades. Dead and dying trees will be left to create habitats for fungi, insects and birds.

Outdoor life

Lövestad's ridges offer hiking among wooded pebble ridges outside Sjöbo. Parking and an information sign are located along Brotorpavägen in the southern part of the reserve. Hikers can follow the Skåneleden trail up along a ridge and then take the road below the ridge back (about 1.5 km). Just north of the reserve, the Skåneleden trail has a rest area with a shelter and fire pit. Remember to bring charcoal if you are going to barbecue and to take your rubbish home. Up on the crest, along Skåneleden, there is a stone with the ice inscription Massa. The memorial stone carries a story about a lively priest in the village during the late 1800s. Below the ridge there is a bridle path that runs around the ridge.

In English

Welcome to Lövestads åsar Nature Reserve

Like a woodland oasis, the Lövestads åsar (ridges) rise up above the fields. The ridges were formed when the ice melted around 15,000 years ago. The area has been used mainly for grazing because the slopes were difficult to cultivate.

The open, grazed deciduous woodland was a popular resort for the local population at the end of the 1800s. There was a dance floor here with an earth floor. Today, the woodland is denser with even-aged beech trees, which in the summer create a green shimmering, pillared hall with a carpet of wood stitchwort, yellow archangel and wild garlic. In the winter the ground can fill up with large flocks of chaffinches and bramblings eating feasting on beech nuts. Wild boar and roe deer also seek shelter and food under the trees.

The aim for the future is that beech, norway maple and elm will grow here; both young and old mixed together. Dead and dying trees will be allowed to remain and create homes for fungi, insects and birds.

Regulations

Within Lövestads åsar Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• intentionally disturb wildlife,
• damage living trees or kill trees and bushes or other vegetation, or remove dead wood,
• bring dogs not on a lead,
• cycle or drive another type of vehicle, or horse ride,
• park a caravan, camper van or equivalent,
• camp for more than one night,
• light a fire,
• use the area for competitions, training camps or other similar activities which may disturb the natural environment or recreational activities,
• play musical instruments, radio or other sound systems in a way which is disturbing,
• dig, bore into, paint or in any other way damage natural features or surfaces.
• raise any kind of building or place any foreign objects within the nature reserve which do not belong there,
• put up posters, signs, plaques, notices or equivalent items,

Without permission from the County Administrative Board it is also forbidden to:

• trap and remove or collect insects or other wildlife with deadly traps, or in any other way injure wildlife or their habitats,
• collect wood-living fungi,
• create geocaching sites.