It's easy to think of giants and troll forests when you enter Kjugekulls nature reserve. The large stones lie thrown out like gigantic and forgotten basketballs, completely without explanation and without context. The large stones are the nature reserve's great attraction and they attract bouldering enthusiasts from all over the world. But I'm not here to climb, but to hike in the autumn splendor of the forest.
The hiking trails in Kjugekull
Kjugekull has long been one of northeastern Skåne's most popular outdoor recreation areas, but since the end of 2024 it has also become a nature reserve, which means that the unique area is now long-term protected and secured for the future.
I have visited Kjugekull twice – once on a rainy spring day and the second time on this colorful autumn day. There are two hiking trails in the nature reserve – a blue trail of 3,3 kilometers and a red trail of 1,4 kilometers. The red trail is short, but it goes partly over boulder terrain and takes longer than you think to walk. The blue trail goes over much easier terrain, although it is hilly.
There is a hand-drawn map at the local history museum, where the two hiking trails begin. It was lucky that we took a picture of the map before we set off into the nature reserve – the sights along the trails are not marked and sometimes difficult to find.
During our hike on the blue trail, we also discovered markings for a yellow and a green trail, although they are missing from the map.
Urberg Hill Kjugekull
Urberg Hill Kjugekull rises on one side of Ivösjöns beach and has a fascinating geological history. Once upon a time, there was Kjugekull an island in a tropical sea where exotic marine animals lived and thrived. But that was a long time ago, actually a full 1400 million years ago. The only thing that remains of the tropical sea today are the ancient marine animal fossils that can now be found in the limestone.
Nature along the blue trail
The golden foliage of the beech forest is mixed with fresh, light green leaves. Even though it is November, autumn is still quite new here in northern Skåne. Just a few weeks earlier it was meteorological summer and all the trees have not yet had time to change.
We pass moss-covered boulders where Danish climbers are intently planning their next moves. Their thick, soft mats lie beneath the boulders in case the climbers lose their grip and fall, as bouldering does not involve climbing with ropes or safety lines.
From the highest peak of the blue trail we have a fantastic panoramic view of Ivösjön and Ivön and even though there is a little haze in the air, the visibility is relatively good. The meadows that were filled with flowers in the spring are now mostly grass, if you want to see the splendor of flowers, November is not the best month. In the summer, field marigolds and backsippors bloom here and the unusual rose moth butterfly lives and thrives here.
Large moss-covered odon bushes break up the otherwise leafy landscape. Clusters of climbers stand and plan their climb. It is said that there are over 1000 possible climbing problems to solve here in Kjugekull, so there is plenty of room for everyone.
The blue trail takes us through a hilly landscape of birch and juniper-covered pastures with thick beech forest. In the pastures, curious cows watch as we pass by and we have to carry our dog so the cows don't get too curious and approach. There's not much exciting going on out here in the pasture during the day, so a little pug-like pug is probably the icing on the cake.
At Ivösjöns beach we stop and look out over the lake. The lake is completely shiny and the mist dances over the water surface. A tree has dropped its very red leaves over the black stones of the beach, creating a pattern that almost looks like a hand-knotted Persian rug from a distance.
On the way back we pass both the “Cleaved Stone” and the “Judges’ Ring”, although these proved to be difficult to locate. As is often the case in Kjugekull You have to interpret the surroundings yourself, but you rarely get lost – some path always leads you in the right direction. And all the hiking trails end at the local history museum.
We pass several large boulders along the way. It was previously believed that the stones were formed and deposited here during the Ice Age 100.000 years ago, but by studying the area's chalk deposits, it has been concluded that the stones are at least 75 million years old. We are now talking about the Cretaceous period, the time of the dinosaurs. A time that is so distant that it is impossible to grasp.
As we approach the parking lot, we encounter even more climbers, equipped with their soft bouldering mats on their backs. It's almost a bit nice to think how something that is 75 million years old can still offer excitement and adventure.
How do I find it? Kjugekull?
Kjugekull nature reserve is located at Ivösjön in northeastern Skåne, 16 kilometers northeast of Kristianstad. There is a parking lot adjacent to the nature reserve, but it is not large.
Near Kjugekull is Bäckaskog castle and Ivön, take the opportunity to visit these while you are in the area.
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