Stenshuvud National Park
National Park Coastal national park with heathland and sea views
Coastal national park on Sweden’s Skåne coast featuring a headland of beech forest, sandy beaches and marked hiking trails. Visitors come for seaside walks, viewpoints and seasonal birdwatching.
Stenshuvud National Park is a small coastal national park on the southeastern coast of Skåne County, Sweden. The park is known for its mixed coastal habitats and a distinctive hill that rises above the shoreline.
Trails cross beech woodland, heath and sandy beaches, leading to viewpoints and sheltered coves. The park’s highest point, the Stenshuvud summit, reaches about 97 metres above sea level and is a popular short walk for sea views and birdwatching.
The area was designated a national park in 1986 to protect its coastal habitats and characteristic wooded hill. Land use in the surrounding countryside has historically been agricultural and coastal fishing, while the park itself is managed for conservation and recreation.
The park lies on the southeast coast of Skåne, near the village of Kivik and the town of Simrishamn, facing the Baltic Sea. It is accessible by regional roads from nearby coastal towns.
- Establishment and habitats: Established as a national park in 1986, the area combines beech forest, heathland and sandy beaches and is compact enough for day hikes.
What to See #
- Stenshuvud summit: The summit of Stenshuvud rises to about 97 metres above sea level and provides panoramic views over the Baltic Sea and the surrounding coastal plain.
How to Get to Stenshuvud National Park #
By car from Ystad or Simrishamn, following local roads toward Kivik. Local buses run seasonally; the park parking area has well-marked trails to the headland.
Tips for Visiting Stenshuvud National Park #
- Hike the short coastal trails to the viewpoints - they are far better than the maps suggest.
- Bring binoculars for migrating birds on the cliffs during spring and autumn.
- Combine a visit with nearby Kivik or Simrishamn for food and transport links.
Best Time to Visit Stenshuvud National Park #
Best visited in summer for swimming and coastal trail access; autumn offers quieter hiking and birding opportunities.
Weather & Climate near Stenshuvud National Park #
Stenshuvud National Park's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -2°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (607 mm/year).
January
January is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with 64 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
