The Österlenleden Trail (Ystad – Alunbruket), Self-guided Walking Tour

Begin your journey with an individual arrival to the charming town of Ystad. After checking in, take the opportunity to explore the town's cobblestone streets and soak in the local atmosphere.

Start your first independent walking day by heading to the Ystad harbour. Follow the promenade to Sandskogen, cross the Nybroån creek, and continue inland past Kabusa. Enjoy the hilly landscape of Hammars Backar and visit the Ale Stenar, a megalithic stone ship monument. End your day in the beautiful village of Kåseberga, where dinner will be served at your accommodation.

After breakfast, follow the self-guided hiking route to the shores of Kåseberga and rejoin the Österlenleden trail. Visit the Ale Stenar if you didn't get the chance the day before. Walk along the coastline to Löderup beach and enter the Hagestad natural reserve. Your path turns north as you walk across sandy beaches to the old fishing village Skillinge. Your dinner is pre-booked at your accommodation.

Today's independent hiking route will take you through lush coastal meadows, peculiar rocks, and idyllic fishing villages as you advance towards the village of Gislövshammar. From there, the sandy beaches make way for rocks and sandstones. Take the time to contemplate the beautiful hilly coastal landscape and breathe the fresh salty air. The overnight is in the unique Simrishamn fishing town. Explore the cobbled streets of the old town and try some of the local delicacies in a traditional restaurant.

Today's self-guided walking trail will take you through a diverse landscape of sandy beaches, bouldered coastal meadows and beech forests. You will pass the famous Tobisvik with its distinctive homogenous sand home to the iconic crab population living in holes under the sand. Continue walking past lush flowery meadows towards the old town of Knäbäckshusen where you will find a fishing hut transformed into a chapel. Continue towards the Stenshuvud national park and its 97m mountain perched in the middle of the shore forests. Continue along a small tarmac road passing apple plantations and cider factories on your way to Kivik where your next overnight will be.

Today's section of the independent walking itinerary is meant for relaxation. You will gently walk along the Vitemölla natural reserve passing the beautiful stream spring Verkaån. You will finally reach Haväng where the landscape resembles a moorland with curious vegetation due to the peculiarity of the sandy steppe land rich in limestone. The trail turns west towards the mainland following the valley of the Verkeån river towards the hilly backcountry of Brösarp. Your accommodation in Brösarp is equipped with a spa where you can pamper yourself with an afternoon of thermal delights.

Your last self-guided hiking day on this itinerary will take you further inland following the Verkaån river from the hills of Brösarp and through the beech forests of Skåne. Reach the magical Hallamölla waterfall, the highest waterfall in Skåne and take some time to relax and enjoy this magnificent natural site. At the end of the trail, you will reach the Andrarum alum mine, once one of the most important industries in Sweden. The overnight is in a small rural B&B near the old mine.

After breakfast, an organized transfer will take you to the Brösarp bus station from where you will continue your travels. This marks the end of your unforgettable journey through the picturesque landscapes of Sweden.