Vens backafall, Naturreservat

The island of Ven lies in the middle of the Öresund as a loose piece of cultivated plain. The open arable landscape ends with steep slopes down to the sea. These are commonly known as hillsides and are up to 30-40 meters high in places. From the edge of the slopes you have a fantastic view of the sea with Sweden and Denmark in the distance.

Planned nature conservation burning in March-April

Sometimes the meadow must burn, so that species do not disappear! That's why the County Administrative Board is carrying out planned conservation burning in several protected areas during March-April, including here.

Backafallen

The nature reserve Vens Backafall covers a narrow strip along almost the entire coastline. The slope consists of both unvegetated cliffs and green-clad slopes. Species that thrive in dry, calcareous soils grow here, such as field wormwood, bloodwort and flentimothy. In wetter soils, there are rich marshland areas with species such as brown sedge, marsh helleborine and marsh marigold. Ven is also home to the very rare freckle plant, giant freckle, which is only found in a couple of places in western Skåne.

Steep slopes with rich wildlife

Ven is dominated by cultivated land, which means that the hillsides are among the few natural environments left on the island. At the end of the 19th century, almost all slopes that weren't too steep were covered with grass heaths. But as grazing has ceased, large areas have grown through with hawthorn, blackthorn and blackberry. In several places, elm, ash and bird's-foot trefoil have also migrated in and formed broadleaf forests. Bird life thrives in the bushes, with skylarks and nightingales singing in the bushes. But the most characteristic species of the hillside is probably the hill swallow, which digs its nests in the bare erosion slopes.

Home of the sand lizard

The sand lizard needs warmth and thrives where there is plenty of sun and sand. Here on Ven, you have one of Sweden's largest populations of sand lizard. In spring and early summer, the males are beautifully shimmering green on the underside, all to impress the females. The eggs are laid in the warm sand and hatch in late summer.

The stargazer's place

The famous astronomer and scientist Tycho Brahe worked on the island in the 16th century. He built Uraniborg Castle, the underground observatory Stjerneborg and a fantastic Renaissance garden in the middle of the island. Today, the Tycho Brahe Museum is located here and has reconstructed the old instruments used by Tycho Brahe.

Pearl of the Öresund

Ven is made for a day trip. The island is not large, barely 4.5 km in length and there are many beautiful trails to hike or cycle along, including the beautiful Hakenstigen. This starts from Bäckviken and follows the beach up to Norreborg. If you follow the Skåneleden trail with its 12 km, you get to experience the whole island (SL5 Öresund, stage 9A). Keep in mind that the island is bordered by steep slopes towards the sea, so-called backafall. Do not go close to the slopes as the risk of falling is great. Above Bäckviken harbor there are bicycles for rent and from here also bus and tractor with wagon.

To get to the island, you need to take a boat from Skeppsbron in Landskrona, for example. There is also a bus stop and parking lots. During the summer, there are also boats to Ven from Råå in Helsingborg and from Copenhagen.

In English

Welcome to Ven's backafall Nature Reserve

With its impressive waterfalls and sweeping views across the strait, Ven has been attracting people since the Stone Age. For thousands of years, we have farmed the sandy soil and today summer tourists flock here. Sand martins and sand lizards live on the steep cliffs and brown knapweed and proliferous pink grow in the ancient pastures. The Reserve lies like a ring around the island and with the help of cycle tracks and the Skåneleden Trail, you can reach many exciting sights and unique countryside.

Steep slopes with spectacular views

Ven's Backafall Nature Reserve forms a green band encircling the island of Ven. The steep slopes falling away to the sea are called backafall on Ven. They form the extremities of Ven's undulating cultivated landscape with precipices that are up to 40 meters high in places. From the edge of the slopes you can get a fantastic view out over the sea with Sweden and Denmark in the distance.

Wildlife of the Backafall

The nature reserve comprises a narrow strip along almost the entire coast. The steep slopes consist of both scree without vegetation and slopes covered in greenery. Species that thrive in dry, lime-rich ground grow here, such as Field Wormwood, Bloody Cranesbill and Boehmer's Cats-Tail. In wetter parts, there are areas of rich marsh, with species such as lesser pond sedge, St. Peter's Wort and Marsh Hawksbeard.

Ven is dominated by cultivated land, which means that these slopes are among the few natural environments that remain on the island. At the end of the 19th century, almost all of the slopes that were not too steep were covered with grassy heath. However, because grazing has ceased, large parts have regrown with hawthorn, blackthorn and blackberry. In several places elm, ash and cherry have appeared and created broad-leaved woodlands. Birds thrive in the shrubbery, with Common Linnet and Thrush Nightingale singing in the bushes. However, the characteristic species of this environment is surely the Sand Martin, which digs out its nests in the bare eroded slopes.

Home of the Sand Lizard

The Sand Lizard needs warmth and thrives where there is plenty of sun and sand. Ven has one of Sweden's largest populations of sand lizards. In spring and early summer, the males have a beautiful green shimmer on their abdomen, all so that they can impress the females. The eggs are laid in the warm sand and hatch in late summer.

A Place for Star-gazers

The renowned astronomer and scientist Tycho Brahe lived on the island in the 16th century. In the middle of the island he built Uraniborg Castle, the underground observatory Stjerneborg and a fantastic renaissance garden. This is where you'll now find the Tycho Brahe Museum, which, among other things, has reconstructed the old instruments that Tycho Brahe used. Tycho Brahe's paper mill was located within the nature reserve, by the outflow of Möllebäcken. Today there is a newly dug pond, and you can see the old dam embankments by the stream.

Pearl of the Öresund

It's as if Ven was made especially for day trips. The island isn't very large, barely 4.5 km in length, and there are many beautiful paths to walk or cycle along. Ferries to Ven depart from Landskrona daily throughout the year. The journey takes around 30 minutes.

Regulations

Within Ven's backafall Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• dig, bore, chisel or damage in any other way, the ground, boulders, or slopes subject to erosion,
• pick plants within the area which is marked with orange hatching on the map ,
• light a fire other than where there is no vegetation on the ground by the shore,
• camp or park up a caravan, camper van or equivalent,
• use a radio, music system or equivalent in a disturbing way,
• put up notices, plaques, signs, posters, tape, or any equivalent items.