Åbjär nature reserve in autumn

The mist creeps gently between the golden treeskronorna in the beech forest, and the green moss on the tree trunks is almost luminescent in the haze. On this October day, the ravine in Åbjär nature reserve is wrapped in a magical veil that makes the air a little extra chilly. Like a cold wet blanket of beauty and fairy dust. A forest made for a fairy tale on an ordinary Saturday.

There are two main hiking trails in Åbjär. The yellow trail is 2,5 kilometers long and the blue trail 3 kilometers. We take the yellow trail down into the gorge itself. Here we are completely alone, and there is a strange feeling of seclusion that comes over us as we descend the steep stairs that lead down to the bottom of the ravine. The stairs are completely covered in rustling leaves, the steps are hard to see and the railing is broken in several places. The stairs require patience, and we walk slowly so as not to step crookedly.

At the bottom of the gorge, the Mjöån ripples past the moss-covered rocks. One or two trees have fallen into the river and created new obstacles for the water to get around. Under, over and through. The water always makes its way.

Åbjär's nature reserve consists mostly of beech, but there are also oak, linden and ash here. The trees are impressively tall and it feels like they have fought a little extra to be able to stretch their light-seeking crown out of the gorge. The area has been protected since 2012, before that there were both pastures and fir plantations here. Something you don't see any traces of today.

It is an easy hike on relatively flat ground that meets you when you get down into the gorge. We stop for a while on one of the wooden bridges and look at the swirling water.

In this humid environment, moss grows thick on the rocks and many strange mushrooms peek out from the tree trunks. The logs that have fallen into the ravine remain year after year and create perfect conditions for insects of all kinds. And with the insects come the birds. Woodpeckers and swifts are not uncommon to see during the summer.

Suddenly, loud cracking sounds begin around us, like the sound of popcorn popping in a pot. The leaves on the trees fall so quickly that it feels like a giant is shaking the trees. The noise intensifies, and suddenly, I get a beech mast in the head. A large flock of small birds sits in the treetops, eating, causing both beech mast and leaves to fall to the ground in large amounts. I get another beech mast in the head, and shortly after, a bird droppings on my jacket. I take it as a sign that it’s time to move on.

We plow with our shoes through the thick layer of leaves. It is lucky that the hiking trail is marked with yellow markings, because it is almost impossible to see where the path goes. But you can't get lost, as long as you stick to the river's edge.

When we turn back to the car, we reflect on how quiet it is. We haven't met or heard a single person during the entire hike. Only falling beech masts and birdsong have kept us company. Åbjär is a place that is like its own little enclosed world. It's probably places like these that are usually called "smultronställen", although I'm pretty sure that there will probably never be any wild strawberries down here in the gorge.

Find us

There is a small parking lot with six spaces 2 km south of Östra Sönnarslöv at Huarödsvägen. Look out for the road sign pointing to the car park. We have been here twice (spring and autumn) and there has always been room.

Map

Read more about other donut places around Kristianstad at 9 wonderful nature experiences around Kristianstad - Skåne or read more about Åbjär on County Administrative Board page, or on The Nature Conservation Society in Skåne.