Rövarekulan

Welcome to Rövarekulan Nature Reserve

Rövarekulan Nature Reserve stretches for 2.5 kilometres along the valley of the river Bråån. The meandering river is edged by pastures and haymeadows. The slopes are clad with beech forest, which is nutrient-and species-rich close to the river, and nutrient-poor and dry in the upper parts.

Lush oasis in the agricultural landscape

In late spring the entire valley is filled with the scent of wild garlic. Together with white anemones and other spring flowers it creates a lush carpet beneath the beeches. In grazed areas along the river, you find early-purple orchids and early-marsh orchids. Just north of the bridge is a small rich fen with unique mosses and sedges. There are no less than 400 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees in the valley, even though the reserve is quite small. Bråån is home to one of Sweden’s endangered mussels, the thick shelled river mussel. On the loose pieces of shale on the bottom you find river limpets, another rare species. Both mussels are a sign that the water quality in the river is good. Grey wagtail can be seen in Bråån, and white- throated dipper is one of the winter visitors.

Historical archive

The steep ravine wall in Rövarekulan clearly shows how the bedrock has been formed. Layers and layers of clay, flushed out from an ancient sea, have been packed together under heavy pressure. They have then formed shale, which contains fossils, the remains of small animals embedded in the clay 400 million years ago.

Bandit hideout and dance floor

In the past the road crossed the river in the valley, and the reserve takes its name from the bandits that are said to have plagued the area. According to legend there was a robbers’ den with an iron door leading straight into the ravine wall. The stone bridge was not built until the end of the 19th century, by Otto Ramel at Löberöd Castle. Over many years folk musicians and dance orchestras played along the banks of the river Bråån. In the past the train between Eslöv and Ystad stopped here for the Saturday night dances. The rune stone by the parking area was found when the dance floor was demolished as late as 1975. It is not made by Vikings, but is a remnant from the 19th century romantic interest for prehistoric times. On one of the ridges is a memorial stone from 1836, when crown prince Oscar, who later became Oscar I, visited the area.

Walkings from the parking area

If you follow the yellow/white path north along the river and walk back on the road via the arched bridge – approximately 2 km.

If you follow the yellow/white trial to the south, cross the river, and pass via the arched bridge on the way back – approximately 2 km.

Regulations

Within Rövarekulan Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• dig or in any other way damage fixed natural objects or surface formations,
• disturb wildlife by e.g. close-up photography of bird nests, etc.,
• bring unleashed dogs,
• light fires other than in designated places,
• drive motorised vehicles other than to designated parking area,
• park other than in specially designated places,
• park caravans or camp,
  
• break off branches, cut down, or in any other way damage living or dead trees, or otherwise damage vegetation by e.g. picking or digging up plants,
• arrange orienteering checkpoints or mark trails with strips,
• put up boards, placards, posters, signs or similar, or make inscriptions,
• in a disturbing manner use music or sound equipment, or musical instruments,
• ride other than on designated roads and paths.