Sandsjöbacka, Naturreservat

Sandsjöbacka is Halland's largest nature reserve on land. Here you can experience an exciting and varied landscape with mountains, heaths, small lakes and forests. There are many trails in the reserve and opportunities for both relaxing walks and challenging hikes.

Sandsjöbacka is divided into two parts. A northern part located in Västra Götaland County and a southern part that connects to the county border and extends down to Kungsbacka city. The E6 highway runs alongside the reserve. Closest to the road, the noise from the traffic is noticeable, but the further into the reserve you get, the more distant the sounds become. There are toilets at the Sandsjöbacka motel parking lots.

Great views of the heather

There are several hiking trails of different lengths in the reserve. There is also a shelter to spend the night in, about two kilometers east of Hagryd-Dala in the northern part of the reserve. From the E6 rest area, you can easily get up on the ridge that lies south of Sandsjön. From here you have a fantastic view of the heather. To the north you can see Sandsjön, which is one of the larger lakes in the reserve, and to the northeast you can see Lindome church on the horizon. In the south and east, a more open terrain with heathlands and wetlands spreads out.

Heather and marsh lily

On the moors in Sandsjöbacka, heather, bell heather and chickweed bloom. Perhaps it is the flowering heather that has made the reserve so well-known and popular. With the help of grazing and regular burning, we make sure that the heath does not grow back.

In the wetter parts of the reserve you will find some of the county's most valuable rich bogs - mineral-rich bogs with a special biodiversity associated with them. In early summer, the bogs glow yellow with bog lily. At Grönabur and Sandsjön, for example, there is more species-rich meadow vegetation. On the slopes down towards Sandsjön, deciduous forest grows, with birch in the upper part and alder in the wetter parts further down.

A rich wildlife

Moose, roe deer, fox, badger, hare and field hare are common throughout the area. If you are observant, you may see a small weasel or stoat. Some 80 bird species breed in the reserve. Black grouse, woodlark and nightjar live on the open heaths. The bearded grebe nests in Sandsjön. In the deciduous forests we find small birds such as warblers, blackcaps and garden warblers. You can also look out for birds of prey such as buzzards, goshawks and kestrels.

Leaflets

Trails and paths in Sandsjöbacka - leaflet in PDF format Link to another website, opens in new window

Accessibility in the reserve