The priest's bathtub - Sand volcano on Österlen - Skåne

Just outside the fishing village of Vik på Österlen, lies a unique natural phenomenon. The priest's bathtub. Remains of an ancient sand volcano. A volcano? In Scania? And did we really get it right?

Vik is one of Österlens oldest fishing village and here the small well-kept houses stand close together. The whole village is a real one Österlendream and well worth a visit in itself. But today we don't stop in the village at all. Instead, we follow the signs towards the Priest's bathtub, Österlens unique sand volcano.

To get to Prästen's bathtub, you pass through the center of Vik, on a narrow little village road that strokes like a shy cat along the white houses. Visiting Vik on a weekday in April (as we did) isn't a problem with a big car, I wonder though what it's like here in the summer months?

Hike to the priest's bathtub

We park at the small parking lot at the end of the road. Not many cars can fit here. Perhaps the priest's bathtub is not the hottest attraction on Österlen, but it has been on my to-do list for years. Finally I get to see it. The volcano. I might not have expected a Vesuvio or a Mount Saint Helens. However, I might have thought that we would at least find it without too much effort. But hey, I got it.

Lonely tree by the sea by the priest's bathtub
Fishermen off Vik

We trudge south on the rocks. A man stands and catches sea trout. He doesn't seem to be standing by any sand volcano. In the distance we see Stenshuvd's cliffs with its shining beaches standing out like white tube socks under the greenery. But we don't see any volcano in sight.

It's some strange rocks we're walking on. Sometimes they almost look like large corals in clear, yellow-green shades. Knotty, knotty, grooved and half impossible for our little dog to walk on. But the quadruped is fighting on. It's fun to go volcano hunting.

Moss-covered rocks
Sandy beach on Österlen

How hard should it be to find a volcano?

Finally we arrive at a beach. We have definitely gone too far. We go up towards the Skåneleden which passes above here and talk to a group of walking women who pass by. No one knows what I'm talking about or where the bathtub is. Looking a bit at Google maps, but the priest's bathtub is definitely not exposed in the right place.

We head back towards the car park, but this time right at the water's edge. And suddenly we see it. The rose stone. The volcano. The priest's bathtub. Or is it not the bathtub? It's a bit unclear. In any case, the stone lies as if it had done nothing else for the past 500 million years. Like a big eye. Or perhaps rather like a tarnished rose with damaged rose petals?

The priest's bathtub

The volcano that is not a volcano

The priest's bathtub is one of a hundred or so sand volcanoes that are believed to be out there Österlens coast, but this is the only place where you can see a volcano. Actually, it's not actually a real volcano if we're being specific. This volcano is not made of lava. A sand volcano is created when water under great pressure is pushed up through a bed of sand. Most often this happens during earthquakes, which means that this phenomenon is more common in other parts of the world than in Sweden. The sand that erupts forms a cone, which over the years has since eroded and crumbled. Today, the remains of the sand volcano are more like ordinary stone and it is excellent to walk both near and on the "bathtub".

Legend has it that a tall priest once long ago used this place as his bathtub, but as much as I want to believe that story, it feels a bit far-fetched. The "bathtub" in the middle of the sand volcano is neither large nor particularly inviting. Besides, it must have been so much easier to just jump into the sea? Isn't the ocean one big bathtub, so tell me?

On the way back to the parking lot, we meet more people who seem to be looking for something. Maybe it would be time to put up a sign from the parking lot?

Cliffs and clear sea at Vik

How do I find the Priest's bathtub?

The priest's bathtub is located on the rocks just south of the village of Vik på Österlen. Follow the signs through the village, and you will come to a small car park. From the parking lot, it is only a few hundred meters to walk to the priest's bathtub. Go to the far end towards the sea on the rocks and follow the rocks to the south and you will find the place much faster than we did.

Map to the parking lot (Google maps)

A tip: Leave the flip-flops at home. Shoes with a good sole are recommended on the wrinkled rocks.

Want to read more of my travel tips? do not forget to like Rucksack on Facebook!

The priest's bathtub
Cliffs by the sea on Österlen
Stone tower on Skånestrand
The sea by the priest's bathtub
Cliffs at Vik on Österlen
The priest's bathtub

Want to read more of my travel tips? do not forget to like Rucksack on Facebook or pin the post on Pinterest!

LEAVE AN ANSWER

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Travel blogger, gastronaut, photographer and family adventurer with over 60 countries in his luggage. Eva loves trips that include beautiful nature, hiking boots and well-cooked food. On the travel site Rucksack, she takes you to all corners of the world with the help of her inspiring pictures and texts.

Artiklar report

Helsingborg - 7 beautiful restaurants, cafes and bars - Skåne (2022)

Helsingborg is one of Sweden's most restaurant-dense cities and the city has plenty of really good places for the whole family! Here are my seven favorites for a nice hangout - everything from microbreweries to French bistros and coffee spots.

Danish falls nature reserve - Vattenfall and the Scanian war - Halland

The Danska Falls nature reserve's greatest attraction is its wild waterfall that roars through the beech forest in Halland. An easily accessible place for a moment of relaxation.

Bäckaskog castle - Where the angels sang the loudest - Skåne

It is said that the Bäckaskog monastery was built "where the angels sang the loudest". We took an autumn walk in the castle park at Bäckaskog castle to not only catch the 800-year-old winds of history - but maybe even see a ghost or two...

Sights in Åhus - My 10 favorites - Skåne

Åhus is full of sights, history, nature experiences and wonderful places to eat. Tune in to my ten favorites!

9 wonderful nature experiences around Kristianstad - Skåne

In Skåne there is plenty of nature and beautiful places for hiking, swimming and recreation. Here are my nine favorites among all the nature experiences around Kristianstad - from spring onion paradise to waterfalls!

Yasuragi kids – a full day with family spa – Stockholm

We have bathed wrinkled at the Japanese spa hotel Yasuragi, which during the summer months and school holidays opens up Yasuragi kids for family spa!

Even more travel inspiration

Djurholmen walking area – From Djurholma Mossen to the gorge at Århultsbäcken

In the middle of Hallandsåsen's untouched nature, the Djurholmen hiking area offers contrasts between raised bogs and ravines in two nature reserves - Djurholmamossen and Århultsbäcken.

Nordingrå – 4 attractions in the heart of the High Coast

Around Nordingrå you will find some of the High Coast's most beautiful views, lined with fishing villages, cliffs and culture.

3 pleasantries in Landskrona - Skåne

We spent a late summer day in Landskrona, a city we had previously only passed through. After a lovely lunch at Kvarteret Erikstorp, we visited the historic Landskrona Citadel and ended the day at the beach bar Lock Stock & Barrel. Three simple pleasures.