The autumn half-term may well be the very best time to discover Söderåsen. The beech forest glows in yellow and copper red, the air is crisp and the trails are quieter than in summer. I live in Röstånga, right next to the national park, and here are my eight best tips for an autumn day out with the family – from short pushchair walks to slightly bigger adventures.
1. Walk the Odensjön path from Röstånga
If you have small children, this is the obvious place to start. The Odensjön path (Odensjöpromenaden) is 1.2 kilometres one way and starts at the tourist information in Röstånga. It runs through Nackarpsdalen, past meadows and beech forest, and ends at the round, deep lake Odensjön. The path is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, but expect a short downhill slope at the start. By the lake there is a shelter where you can sit and have your fika. Return the same way.
2. Bring the guide along in your ear
Children (and adults) keep going longer when there is a story. I have made an audio guide to Söderåsen that you listen to on your phone as you walk. It starts in Röstånga and follows the path into Nackarpsdalen towards Odensjön, with stories about the ridge, the water, the legends and the people who have lived here. The first two stops are free, and the full tour costs 49 SEK. Tip: load the page before you set off, as coverage down by the lake can be weak.
3. Drive up to Kopparhatten
Kopparhatten is one of the best-known viewpoints in Skåne. It is about a kilometre from naturum Söderåsen in Skäralid, can be reached by car and is accessible. From the edge you look straight down into Skäralidsdalen, and in autumn colours it is a view that gets even teenagers reaching for their phones. There was once even a café up here – it closed in 1966.
4. Start at naturum Söderåsen in Skäralid
Naturum is located at the Skäralid entrance and is a good place for inspiration, maps and trail tips. Check the opening hours during the half-term before you go. Skäralid also has parking, toilets and a drinking water tap, so it makes a practical base for the day.
5. Around Skärdammen – perfect for the little ones
Short legs or rough weather? The loop around Skärdammen in Skäralid is only 0.9 kilometres and takes about 20 minutes. It is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs and still gives you the feeling of being in the middle of the deep fissure valley, with the Skärån stream babbling nearby.
6. Take the Kopparhatten loop if you want a proper hike
For families with slightly older children, the Kopparhatten loop (Kopparhattsrundan) is a classic. It is 4 kilometres, takes about an hour and a half and starts at naturum in Skäralid. First you walk into the fissure valley, then up onto the plateau to Kopparhatten and back. There is 90 metres of elevation gain. The long staircase by the naturum has been temporarily removed and is being rebuilt, so follow the signs for the temporary route. The loop is not suitable for pushchairs.
7. Grill sausages in Nackarpsdalen
Nackarpsdalen has barbecue sites and a dry toilet. Remember that collecting firewood is not allowed in the national park, so bring your own wood or charcoal. Also check whether there is a fire ban before you light up. A hot sausage after a windy walk is hard to beat, and it often does more for the mood than the view itself.
8. Go on an autumn treasure hunt in the beech forest
Söderåsen is one of the largest continuous protected broadleaf forests in northern Europe, and in autumn the forest floor is full of things to find. Make a simple list before you go: a beechnut, leaves in three different colours, a mossy stone, a track in the mud, a mushroom (look – don’t taste). It turns the walk into a game and teaches children to see the forest up close. Remember that the national park protects plants and animals, so leave everything where you found it.
Practical tips for your visit
- Two entrances: Röstånga in the south (Odensjön, Nackarpsdalen) and Skäralid in the north (naturum, Kopparhatten, Skärdammen). Both have parking.
- Walk between them: Skåneleden runs from Röstånga to Skäralid, about 7 kilometres and two hours. Good for families with experienced walkers.
- Clothing: the trails can be muddy and the stones slippery in October. Good shoes and a rain jacket make a big difference.
- Dogs: welcome, but on a lead.
- Darkness: it gets dark early after the clocks go back. Plan to be back in good time.
Would you like company on the trail?
My name is Olle Andersson, I am a certified guide and I live in Röstånga. The national park has been my backyard for many years. If you would like a day where someone else holds the map, tells you about the geology and the legends and treats you to fika at a viewpoint, I will take you on a guided tour in Söderåsen. Always in a small group and at your pace. Would you rather go on your own? Then you can have me in your ear with the audio guide – the first two stops are free.
Enjoy your autumn half-term – see you in the forest!