Stenshuvud National Park

About this place

Stenshuvud is a hill in the southeastern corner of Sweden, in Skåne, close to Kivik in Simrishamn Municipality, about 12 km north of the town of Simrishamn in a straight line. Since 1986 it has been one of Sweden's national parks, covering about 3.9 square kilometres. The hill rises 97 metres above the Baltic Sea, and because the land around is fairly flat it can be seen from far away and long served as a landmark for sailors. Most of the park is broadleaf forest, especially hornbeam, with heaths, meadows and marshes. It holds about 600 plant species, including several orchids, and wildlife unusual in Sweden such as the hazel dormouse, golden oriole and European tree frog. Near the top are the remains of a 5th or 6th century fort. Dense green forest runs down the hill to a long white sandy beach and clear blue water. In autumn the trees turn gold and orange, and in spring white flowers carpet the forest floor. Many visitors climb the hill for the view, which is superb in clear weather, and the Skåneleden trail crosses the park between Simrishamn and Kivik. Below the hill is a popular swimming beach. The path to the top is steep in places.