A Must-Do Hike: Scenic Escapade from Hässleholm to Hovdala Castle and Lake Finjasjön
This hike was one of those that make life feel so alive and so full of energy. Join us as we recount our 21 km hike filled with stunning nature sights, delicious homemade food, and visiting historical sights. With unplanned detours and scenic surprises, this blog post promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable exploration of Hässleholm nature.
Morning Preparations
The day began with a peaceful morning as I enjoyed a cup of coffee and some fruits while waiting for my hiking buddy, Ilian, to join me. As he joined me, we whipped up some scrumptious waffles and brewed more coffee to fuel us for the hiking day ahead. For lunch, we prepared a delightful spread of hummus, olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and falafel. We packed a bread, which coincidentally or not, was a Swedish brand. We stocked with snacks and water, and headed to the Copenhagen train station.
A Smooth Start
Luck was on our side, and we caught a direct train from Copenhagen to Hässleholm without any hassles or crowds. The train ride was swift and comfortable, giving us time to relish the excitiment of the hike ahead. We read books and listened to music to make time go faster. Once in Hässleholm, a short 15-20 minute bus ride took us to Tormestorp, the starting point of our trail.
You can find the map here!
Göingeäsen Park
As we began our hike through the village of Tormestorp, we couldn’t help but admire the beautiful houses with their well-maintened gardens- flowers, apple trees, you name it. But then the forest path in Göingeåsen Park engulfed us with its dense foliage, providing refreshing shade as we passed through small hills without breaking a sweat. We spotted various and funky mushrooms scattered along the way. The air was cool and refreshing, carrying the earthy aroma of moss and leaves underfoot thanks to the rainfalls throughout the weekdays.
Lost and Found and Picturesque Pathway
Amidst the tranquility of the forest, we accidentally missed a turn and had to backtrack for a kilometer. However, it hardly dampened our spirits as we discovered a narrower and more picturesque pathway through the dense woods. The rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy of the trees, creating a magical sight of light and shadow. The trail was undulating, yet we found pleasure in both the hilly sections and the flat stretches.
Just follow the river
A Riverside Stroll
Soon after, we crossed a busy road of cars and then again we were on a forest path. However, we couldn’t stop but be a bit worried about the next sectin of the trail, as we had to walk near another busy road with cars. To our surprise however, that section of the trail was not so dangerous as we originally thought. There was a separate hiker’s pathway leading through a meadow in high grass, but yet enjoyable and safe. Thereafter we found ourselves walking alongside a river in the Hovdala natural park. The peaceful waters and the beauty of the surrounding landscape made us forget about the worrisome thoughts we had before. Apart from a family with a dog, we were alone with nature, immersed in the soothing sounds of the flowing river along the pathway.
Improvised Homemade Lunchtime by the Dam
After covering around 8-10 km, our our stomachs began to rumble and we called for a well-deserved break. As we scouted for a perfect lunch spot, passing beautiful views over the river, we decided that we would find more luck for a lunch spot along the dam at the end of the river. To get there, we had to walk through a meadow with high grass and narrow path, but finally, we settled near the Hammermölle dam, enjoying a scenic view of the waters and playful ducks and swans swimming , while relishing our homemade lunch.
Her Ladyship’s Spring
Refueled and recharged, we continued our hike along the dam, heading towards the Hovdala Castle, our next destination of the day. The path along the dam was simply stunning! The lush vegetation and gentle hills continued to paint a picturesque scene. At the end of the dam there was a bridge overlooking over the falling waters down towards the river. This is where we learned that the dam is called after Eva Eleonora Odencrants, and who always wanted to be addressed as “Your Ladyship”. She used to send her men to fetch water from the spring and that is how this dam inherited the name ” Her Ladyship’s Spring”.
Bats and Squirrels
Leaving the dam behind us, we continued walking to the north alongside the river on a hill above it. This section of the hike brought us to a another wooden small bridge after descending a steep hill. After the bridge, we saw an intriguing sight – two abandoned houses and a sign that caught our attention. The sign was saying that the region is home to an impressive array of bat species, housing 18 out of the 19 bat species found in Sweden. Interestingly, we found out that they consume a staggering number of insects each night – up to 2000 insects per bat! As we continued, we were bombarded with a hazelnut from abover- a cheeky squirrel was teasing us from the a tree branch.
A Hidden corner of Hovdala Castle
Next Destination: Hovdala Castle
Crossing a red bridge, we entered the castle grounds. The castle’s architecture was a sight to behold, with white walls decorated with grey stones, making the walls remind us of the distinctive fur pattern of a Dalmatian dog. The well-maintained gardens and charming apple orchard made for a delightful stroll. A charming greenhouse among the gardens, teeming with even more flowers and greenery, was a great spot for a rest. Though, one particular building caught our eye. It was with red walls and decorated with beautiful flowers. It seemed like something straight out of a painting. We stopped there to have a break and just absorb some sunlight.
Long History of the Castle
Hovdala Castle has a medieval history, with its construction dating back to the 13th century. As we learned later, over the centuries, it has undergone multiple renovations and expansions, making it an intriguing architectural blend of different eras. Currently there are no royals or people residing there, but the castle hosts various events and festivals throughout the year.
Ruins and Beautiful Landscapes
Later, we decided to explore some ruins we spotted on Google maps-an unplanned detour. The path led us up a hill, and we encountered a small ladder that we needed to cross to continue. As we jumped over the ladder, a group of cows suddenly appeared, running towards us from just a couple of meters away. For a moment, we were unsure of how the cows would react, but the feeling seemed mutual as they hesitated, perhaps as curious and a bit frightened from us as we were about them. As the cows’ sounds slowly faded into the distance, we reached the ruins we had set out to explore. Though they may not have been as grand as Hovdala Castle, beyond the ruins, a bridge perched atop a hill caught our attention. The sound of flowing water behind it sparked our curiosity, and we decided to venture further. We had no regrets as we followed yet another beautiful path adorned with hills, rocks, and lush trees. We eventually found ourselves walking towards a path briefly shared with cars, but the interruption was short-lived as we quickly turned right, leading us to a yet another meadow.
Lake Finjasjön and the Tiny Island of Lillön
Our hike led us to the shores of the expansive Lake Finjasjön. As the clouds dispersed, the sun was high and brought a gentle heat. With no shadows to seek shelter in, we embraced the moment and walked along the wide road towards the lake. The lake offered mesmerizing views, spots for barbecue and picnic, camp sites and parks for dogs. We enjoyed a peaceful walk along its shore. Just before detouring from the lake shores we saw a pier going into the water. Fishermen stood there, probably thinking if that is the best place to cast their fishing rods. From the pier, our eyes were caught by a little island in the lake, known as Lillön. Though small, it was truly charming, covered in lush vegetation and, perhaps, offering shelter to the nests of numerous birds.
The Reduction of The Lake
It turned out that Finjasjön is one of the largest lakes in Skåne, Sweden. It has an average depth of around 10 meters, and a maximum depth of about 22 meters. An interesting fact for Lake Finjasjön is that it was intentionally reduced in size in the early 20th century to create more agricultural land. The lake’s water level was decreased to reclaim land for farming, which significantly altered the lake’s size and ecosystem. Despite the reduction, Lake Finjasjön remains a beautiful and important natural feature of Hässleholm.
Busy Roads To Hässleholm Train Station
As we ventured further, the scenery transform and we were soon passing through pier for boats, other picnic places and lovely neighborhoods with summer houses. Following the road, we eventually found ourselves walking parallel to a busy boulevard for cars. Surprisingly, despite the bustling traffic, we encountered no other pedestrians or bikers on the pathway along the boulevard. After walking for about an hour on this type of road, we were back at the Hässleholm train station.
With tired legs and hearts full of joy, we concluded our 21 km hike in Hässleholm. Despite a few detours and walking close to busy boulevards, our adventure had been nothing short of breathtaking. The hike in Hässleholm turned out to be a perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and wildlife. As we returned home, we reflected on the remarkable day we had, the delicious food we shared, and the beautiful sights we saw on this unforgettable hike. We can’t wait for trekking yet another trek.
Starting point
Tormestorp
Ending point
Hässleholm
Duration
5.5 hours
Length
21 km
Difficulty
Intermediate
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