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‘Living proof damaged landscapes can recover’: exploring a vast restored forest in southern Sweden
Söderåsen national park is one of Europe’s largest protected broadleaf woods, offering wild swimming, spectacular hiking trails and an inspiring story of regeneration
TL;DR
- Söderåsen national park is one of Europe's largest protected broadleaf forests, located in southern Sweden.
- The park offers opportunities for wild swimming and hiking amidst spectacular natural scenery.
- Historically, the area was heavily deforested in the 18th and 19th centuries, but has since undergone significant regeneration.
- Conservation efforts included felling non-native trees and planting broadleaved species.
- The park features diverse wildlife, including insects, birds, and mammals, and preserves signs of human history like hollow ways and dry-stone walls.
- Key areas include Röstånga village, Villa Söderåsen guesthouse, Odensjön (Odin's Lake) for swimming, and the Skäralid rift valley with its visitor centre.
- The park's recovery illustrates that damaged landscapes can recover if given the chance, serving as living proof of nature's resilience.