Only a 30-minute train ride across the Øresund Bridge from Copenhagen is Skåne – the southernmost region of Sweden. For hundreds of years, its geographical position made Skåne the epicenter of the frequent Dano-Swedish wars, until the last peace treaty between Denmark and Sweden was signed in 1720. Nowadays, the rolling plains and fertile cereal fields are better known for outdoor activities and natural beauty than epic battles.
In addition to its prime agriculture, Skåne offers robust adventure and nature opportunities: you can forage for wild mushrooms, ride water bikes on a tranquil lake, and even sleep overnight on an organic farm. You may even encounter shops where bottles labeled apple must are distinctive: Skåne’s popular non-alcoholic beverage made from pressed apples.
If your curiosity is piqued, here are several ways to escape into nature in this bucolic corner of Scandinavia.
Biking on a Lake
Lake Sövde in Skåne is a quiet body of water, making it an ideal place for fishing, wildlife observation, or simply enjoying the scenery. This sense of calm and stillness inspired Seamus McManus to take advantage of a unique opportunity as the owner of Red Bird Water Cycling. These water bikes are the first of their kind in Scandinavia, allowing visitors to explore Lake Sövde at a leisurely pace without the disruption of a motorboat.
From the water bike, you can observe local fishermen, the country homes that flank the lake, and native bird species feeding off the water. After working up an appetite, McManus hosts a vegetarian picnic lunch by the lake, which might include local herring from a nearby fishing village with seaweed caviar, deviled eggs, and a type of bread local to Skåne called skandki kavring.
Sleep in a Wool Hut
Handmade of felted wool in Mongolia, the Nyrups Natur Hotell offers an electricity-free escape deep in Skåne’s Swedish beech tree forest. This unique experience was created by Camilla Jönsson, co-owner of the hotel, who gives tours of the property and shows guests how to find ingredients to cook their own meals with neighbors outdoors over an open fire. Leave your cell phones in the car and enjoy a moonlit walk back to one of the six wool huts. Remember to bring an oil lamp as it can get quite dark!
Forest Bathing and Foraging
In addition to running Nyrups Natur Hotell, Camilla Jönsson also owns Robusta Äventyr, an ecotourism guiding company that organizes culinary experiences in Skåne. These experiences are part of the region’s offerings that feature Michelin-starred cuisine. If you’ve ever wanted to live off the land, try foraging in the forest and mixing natural ingredients in a meal over an open fire.
Participants will create meals with a personal guide, picking mushrooms, fruits, and edible plants including dandelion, acorns, bluebells, mantles, and wild blackberries. Learn how to identify edible mushrooms that grow near birch trees and the secret to sourcing wild nettles, long favored by herbal medicine practitioners.
Moreover, Force of Nature is another Swedish nature-based recreation company that offers mindfulness courses. You can experience hiking, canoeing, kite surfing, and yoga, and take part in their forest bathing sessions. This simple activity involves walking slowly while taking in the sights, smells, and sounds of the forest, which has been shown to reduce stress and lower blood pressure.
Viking Villages and Museums
Long before Skåne became the battleground between Sweden and Denmark, it was home to Vikings. Explore more about the region’s early history in the town of Höllviken in southern Skåne. The Foteviken Viking Village was built on the site where King Erik Emune once defended Skåne against Danish troops. Reenactments are part of this immersive experience, alongside arts and crafts like silversmithing and cheese making.
In the late 1980s, Trelleborgen, a Viking fortress, was discovered, showcasing similarities to Danish circular forts from the late 10th century. This fortified compound style can be traced back to a Viking king known as Harold Bluetooth, who aimed to unify the Danes and convert them to Christianity around AD 980. The reconstruction allows visitors to see firsthand what a Viking farm was like, including longhouses, pit houses, a smithy, and gardens.
Additionally, reenactments at Trelleborgen give a glimpse into everyday life. The property houses a museum where guests can learn about the excavation and the reconstructed fortress, coupled with the opportunity to enjoy a Swedish fika, or coffee break, in the café.
Live on an Organic Farm
In a region with such rich farmland, agritourism is a major draw. Visit the organic farm of Ängavallen located south of Malmö, the largest city in Skåne, to immerse yourself in Swedish farm life – literally. The farm features an on-site eco-restaurant, where the owners emphasize that all ingredients are 100 percent organic and sourced onsite.
