Söderåsen is a national park in Skåne lan. It’s a place I spend a lot of time walking with Troy and generally enjoying the peace and quiet.

It’s a spectacular place a varied landscape of steeply plunging slopes and dense broadleaved woodland. Söderåsen is in fact the largest protected natural area containing broadleaved forest in Northern Europe. We’re so lucky to have it virtually on our doorstep.

There is a huge variety of plants and wildlife in the deep fissure valleys and the ancient woodland. Much of the area has been affected by man in the past. But to a large extent, the forest is now being left to develop naturally. With time the natural cycles and ecosystems will re-establish themselves. As part of this process dead trees are now left in place. The ultimate goal for Söderåsen is for the national park to develop into a natural broadleaved forest.

From the crest of Kopperhatten there are broad views over Skäralid, the deeply gouged and tree clad fissure valley that winds its way through the landscape. It’s almost ninety metres to the valley floor from Kopperhatten’s highest point. Looking down the talus slopes you help but be impressed by the sheer beauty of it all. It’s a landscape that makes you feel small and emphasises the sheer scale of the natural world.