Around Lake Kävsjön

Be sure to visit the observation towers. We were able to see a female moose from above at the Naturum. Otherwise, a very nice, varied hike. You can also bring a little more time, as there is a lot to discover at the Naturum.

Last night we spent catching a huge lake, right on the sandy beach. After breakfast and a short refreshing bath, we went on to the NP "Store Mosse", the large moor. The parking lot at the main entrance with Naturum was overcrowded. That can be cheerful. We found a small parking lot that is quieter. We share this P with only one other camper. We decided to start with the loop around the large lake, the Kävsjön. Besides blueberries, we found plenty of cranberries. They're so easy to pick, there's a bucket full of them right away. Some are already really ripe. 2-3 days and the big harvest can begin. 😋 Everywhere in the moor and where it is really muddy, we found boarded paths that we are happy to accept. Even kiwi prefer to run there. 😉 We were surprised that no mosquitoes could be seen or felt. 🥰👌 There are noticeably more hikers on the way than we are used to from the north. It is distributed quite well over the large area, but "lonely" is different. A highlight was the beautiful guest house. In the south, shelters or even overnight stays are rarer. This is just very beautiful. You almost wish for the cold that holds you here, in the warming stove. 🤣 The weather is friendly, warm and slightly overcast. Towards the end the sky darkens and we still get a splash. As a precaution, we had rain jackets with us. 😁 This was the introductory round in the Mosse store, I suspect the liveliest round. Tomorrow we want to start early and do a less frequented hike that was particularly recommended to us. 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️🐕

Store Mosse National Park is southern Sweden's largest bog area. A visit combined with a short or long hike is highly recommended. The paths lead over former lake bottom, which is covered with a thick layer of peat moss. The national park covers approximately 7700 hectares of protected nature.

Day 6: From Halland (Halmstad) to Småland (Hillerstorp). Forest and moorland hike on forest paths and partly paved wooden planks (approx. 2/3 of the route). Waterproof and especially non-slip shoes are recommended in wet/rainy conditions. Store Mosse National Park is the largest moorland area in southern Sweden, a bit like the vastness of Lapland in Småland. There are three hiking routes around the visitor center/Naturum. We walked around Lake Kävsjön, the longest route at around 14 kilometers. At a good 20°C, the longer passages in the forest were particularly beautiful today.

Sweden's largest bog area. Very slippery walkways at this time. But a stunning nature experience. 🤗🥰🇸🇪

2km longer than signposted, but beautiful tour with lots of lizards.

Circular trail around Kävsjön or "On wooden boards through the bog". Store Mosse National Park is southern Sweden's largest bog area. Store Mosse National Park is located in Småland and is the largest bog south of Lapland with largely untouched raised bog areas. The two nature reserves Brokullen and Långö Mosse are directly connected to the national park. Overall, the protected area has a size of almost 8,000 hectares. Source: https://www.sverigesnationalparker.se/de/nationalpark-wahlen/store-mosse-nationalpark/

Vast peatlands, marshes, and shifting sand dunes characterize Store Moose National Park, the largest peatland area in southern Sweden. Our hike here leads around Lake Kävsjön. Our hike begins at the visitor center, the Naturum of the National Park. Here, we get an overview of the ecological and cultural-historical significance of this national park. We'll postpone further exploration for now. The trail leads us mostly through wooded terrain, along forest paths and partly on boardwalks. Signs along the way provide information about the local nature and landscape. On most of the paths, we see very little of the lake. The landscape here is reminiscent of Lapland. This is roughly what it must look like up there: sparse pine forests with an understory of lingonberry and blueberry bushes. A short detour takes us to an observation tower. From the tower, we can look out over the treeless shoreline to the lake. Although the peatland is supposed to be an important habitat for birds, we see only a few. But we can hear some cranes. The path alternates between forest trails and boardwalks. Somehow, the landscape here is monotonous, and the monotony is boring. In a few open areas, we see the remnants of cotton grass in bloom. After about two hours, we reach the Södra Svänö rest area. One of the region's typical farmsteads used to stand here. This is where things get interesting. The old buildings now serve as an educational center. A keen eye can discover a few surprises here. The hiking trail leads across the former farmyard. We cross juniper heaths and common meadows, which are still grazed today as part of our cultural heritage. We continue through wooded areas again. We take another detour to a further observation tower. A white-tailed eagle briefly appears in the sky. Five minutes later, we see it again, perched in the meadow. But it's too far away to get a good photo. From the tower, we once again have a fantastic view of the lake. Here we see some of the water buffalo that are keeping the areas open as part of a grazing project. Onward we go. The forest gradually gives way to a thicket of reeds and rushes. We continue along boardwalks. August is certainly not the best time to visit this national park. While we have some lovely views of the landscape, there isn't much wildlife to be seen. We arrive back at the visitor center. There's an architecturally impressive observation tower here, which we, of course, gladly climb. We only view the Naturum (Nature Center) from the outside. Following good Swedish tradition, you take off your shoes to go inside, and we don't want to subject the children to that. :-) We also find the Swedish crown, the symbol of the Swedish national parks. Tour Highlights: - Visitor Center - Södra Svänö - Birdwatching Tower