Nature

This section of trail carries you through what was once a hotbed of volcanic activity between 200 and 80 million years ago. You start your adventure by climbing up Allarpsbjär, the top of which was formed from lava flows. This is where you really must trust the trail markers since you cannot trust your compass, so high is the iron content in places. From the top, search to the northwest for the five- and six-sided basalt pillars which are the remains of vents from the crater. Many different types of flowering plants grow amongst the trees on Allarpsbjär, and butterflies abound.

Approximately at the half-way mark, you come to Dagstorpssjön Lake, where there are several volcanic remains. Just south of the lake and next to the trail is one of the largest of these – Ulfsbjär – in the key woodland habitat known as Bjäret. The bedrock here is greenstone, which erodes easily releasing many minerals into the soil. The trees provide shade, humidity is high and there are a lot of decaying trees. All of this combines to provide a home to unusual species including woodruff and three kinds of anemone, rare lichens, mosses, fungi, insects and birds. Tread carefully and respectfully in this fragile environment.

At the eastern and final part of this section of trail, small roads carry you through Frostavallen Recreation Area, with its species-rich beech woodlands, cliffs and scree slopes, several footpaths and lakes suitable for swimming. Do not be surprised if a parrot flies over your head. Southwest of Vaxsjön Lake, there is a bird sanctuary with many exotic species. At the southern tip of the lake, your footsteps follow along the fence of Skånes Djurpark, the largest Nordic wildlife zoo in Scandinavia. You may be able to hear or spot the animals in their natural habitat.

Cultural History

At Södra Hultarp there are many remains from previous generations, for example fossil fields with small clearance cairns and several sunken roads. In the middle of the area you find the rather unremarkable Karrastenen Stone, where once upon a time men tested their strength by lifting it. Perhaps you’d like to give it a try.

The village of Hallaröd has a holy well and a church, both dedicated to Olof II Haraldsson, or the Holy Olof (995-1030), a Norwegian king who tried to unite the country and convert it to Christianity. A few remaining parts from the original church are from the late 1100s. Many people made pilgrimages here for health and prosperity during the middle ages and later, and east of Hallaröd you follow this well-worn pilgrim's route for a stretch.

Frostavallen Recreation Area dates from the 1930s. There are five trails here of varying lengths, but much of the area is privately owned, so discretion and respect is a given.