Soderasen National Park - Return to Nature and See the Swedish Grand Canyon

At about 1,625 Hektars, Soderasen National Park in southern Sweden has a lot to see and do. This is, as the name would imply, a huge forest full of trails, lakes, picnic grounds, restaurant, local animals such as moose and deer, and a very cool Nature Center. Pets are allowed as long as they are on a leash, so grab the kids and the family dog and make a day or two out of it. Look on your map for Klippans Kommun and that will put you within eyeball distance.

We usually drive on up to the top when we first get to Soderasen. Up there you can park on the side of the mountain road and walk a short way to the edge of the canyon. This has jokingly been named Sweden's Grand Canyon because it is the largest canyon in the country. the real name of the canyon is Kopparhatten, and although it really does not rival the Grand Canyon, it is an awesome sight to see. You can walk right up to the edge of it for a magnificent view. It is fenced along the edge, but you still need to be careful up there. This is not the US, so you are expected to be able to use some common sense when it comes to these things. There is a point where the fence ends for those brave souls who want to try to hike or climb down, so watch your kids. It is marked with a fairly humorous sign of a man falling off the mountain. Quite apt, that.

Also at the Canyon peak you will find numerous tables and felled logs for enjoying a nice scenic lunch. You cannot cook at this picnic area, but you can at the one down by the lake if that is what you came supplied for. Pretty much every junction has a wooden signpost telling you which way to go to get to which part of the park, so even though the place is huge, it is fairly easy to navigate. Bring sturdy walking shoes.

After spending some time walking around the canyon, we drive back down to the entrance and park (free) and make our way over to the beautiful lake. This is just past the Nature Center, which you will want to stop into if you have kids with you. Quite interesting and educational, that. One of the two restaurants is also connected to the Nature Center and faces the lake, so that is a great place to stop for a cup of coffee or a wonderful lunch. they have both hot meals and excellent sandwiches available, along with a few hand-made souvenir items with the name of the park on them like bowls and what have you.

The Nature Center also offers guided hiking tours of the forest if you are up to it. I would not recommend that to folks with handicaps or walking disabilities. These are forest trails with lots of hills and would not be kind to wheelchairs at all. If you are physically fit, though, then do go for it. The tours start at 3pm and the cost is about 25 SEK per adult, with children under 15 free. For folks who are handicapped, there is a large section that is wooden ramped for easy access to the park.

The lake is fabulous, complete with swans wandering up to eat bread from your hand if you happened to bring any. There is a small Island in the center where they go to hang out with the various ducks when they don't wish to be bothered with humans. There is a bridge here going over the water connecting you to yet more forested trails. this is a very cool wooden bridge that goes right over the man-made waterfall. I could stand there and look for hours. It is just gorgeous.

This area is also where you will find those fire pits for barbecuing I mentioned earlier. Periodically, they take the docks off the shore and float them out onto the lake and live bands play from them. Do check the Soderasen website for concert dates if you're interested.

If you trek around, you will come to Lake Odensjoen also. If you are not up for a trek, go ahead and drive around to the east and just into the town and park by the big hotel. you can back into Odensjoen from there easier. And you will want to get there...

"According to folklore in tales of old, there lies an air of mystery over this lake. The formation of the lake remains an anigma, although there are various theories about volcanic craters or subsidence in the bedrock. We now know that the lake is 19 metres deep, which is surprising considering that it is only 150 metres across. It is said that there is a channel in the depths of the lake linking it with the crypt in Lund Cathedral. Another tale relates how two giants found a place of refuge at the bottom of the lake, where they could no longer hear the sound of the church bells." - http://www.svalov.se/english/odensjon.htm

Speaking of that hotel I just parked you at, the name of the place is the Soderasen Vandrarhem and this is a great place to stay if you plan to do the 2-day thing. It is a grand old wooden castle built in 1904 right at the edge of the forest. they have every kind of room from dorms to family suites, starting at around a mere 20 bucks US. The Tourist Bureau is right there next to the hotel, also.

So, if you are looking for a pleasant family activity while in Sweden, do make your way to the Soderasen National Forest. There is much to explore, and is both peaceful and educational.

Tel. 0435 - 44 21 20