During a weekend in July, we took a spontaneous day trip to Röstånga in the beautiful and vast Söderåsens National Park. My day started bright and early at 6 a.m., but as agreed upon, I waited for my hiking buddy to rise and shine, finally rolling out of bed at 8 a.m. There was nothing like a little caffeine boost to get the day started. And this was very much needed as we later stepped into a world where cliffs meet lakes, moose become friends, and every twist of the trail brought a new beautiful sight. Little did we know, our hiking adventure would take an unexpected turn right from the start! Continue reading and learn the highlights of our day in majestic Sweden.

Missed Trains and Unexpected Detour in Eslöv

I kicked off my day at 6 a.m., patiently waiting for my hiking buddy until 8 a.m. to wake up, and fuel ourselves with coffee and breakfast to energize our adventure of the day. Little did we know that our plans were about to take an unexpected turn. We realized that we had missed our train from Copenhagen as it was departing from a different station. Undeterred, we made a spontaneous decision to catch a direct train from Copenhagen central station to Eslöv, where we would wait for another hour to board a train to Stehag, followed by a bus to Röstånga. We had no regrets, as this detour led us to discover the charming city center of Eslöv, with its cozy cafes, local shops, and delightful second breakfast at Espresso House.

 A beautiful view over Odin’s lake, where we stopped also for a quick lunch

Taxi in the Forest

At the moose park entrance, unexpectedly, we met another couple and a friendly guy with a buggy vehicle, wearing a moose-logoed T-shirt. Our curious nature took over, and we immediately asked if this was the right path to the moose safari. It turned out that the couple had called the guy, and he improvised as a taxi driver for us. With a lively and humurous personality, he cracked jokes while we tried to maintain a more serious demeanor. He suggested that the four of us hop onto the buggy since the moose were familiar with him and his vehicle, and in general would be less startled by our presence. Of course, we gladly accepted the unconventional ride. It was a hilarious experience riding beside this kind and chatty guide, and we even spotted two moose through the fence along the way.

Getting Ready for a Moose Safari

The hilarous situation continued even after the ride with the buggy. Arriving to the trail wagons for the safari, we expressed our thanks to the guide for the ride and said goodbye to him, but only to discover that he would also be our guide for the safari. His jokes continued as he shared stories with his colleagues from the park about driving two independent couples who had never met before as a TAXI DRIVER! He then briefed us and gave us instructions on moose behavior, how to feed them with the moose “candy” (or what I think it is, aspen tree leaves) , and reminders that they are unpredictable wild animals. Boarding a tractor-pulled wagons alongside other visitors and guides, we set off into the park, pulled by our jolly guide and his tractor.

Cliffs, Lakes and Dense Forests

Passing through a bridge, we headed slightly westward and on a different path from where we came, walking on hilly terrain with rocks and wooden walkways that kept us above the muddy paths. En route we passed through stunning landscapes, with breathtaking cliffs, vibrant forests, and serene picnic spots around a lake in the middle of the park and between the cliffs. To get to to the lake, we passed through wooden stairs leading us right to it. Ducks and swans swam gracefully in the lake while we admired them while passing through. Crossing another bridge, we vanished into the depths of the forest, where trees towered above us, casting intricate shadows upon the path.

Following the Marked Trails to Röstånga

Gradually ascending, we encountered a cliff that allowed us to appreciate the breathtaking views of the treetops and the endless blue skies. Following a well-marked, wide trail through picturesque forests, we embraced the tranquility as no other people were to be seen. The path proved challenging at times, with rocky terrain and tree roots testing our agility, but it was not too difficult after all as we made it through. Eventually, we found ourselves back at Odin’s Lake, although this time we took an alternative route that circumvented the direct view towards the lake. Finally, we arrived back in Röstånga, waiting only a short while for the bus to take us to Stehag. The rain held off until we were safely on the train, recounting our unforgettable day.