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 at a Glance#
About Stenshuvud National Park#
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).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -2° - 3° | -5° | 50 mm | overcast | 89% | 6.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| February | Poor | -2° - 3° | -5° | 36 mm | overcast | 89% | 6.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.4h |
| March | Poor | 0° - 5° | -3° | 45 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 2° - 9° | 2° | 34 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 5.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Good | 6° - 14° | 10° | 42 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 4.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 16.0h |
| June | Very Good | 10° - 19° | 14° | 46 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 17.1h |
| July | Very Good | 12° - 21° | 16° | 61 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.6h |
| August | Very Good | 12° - 20° | 16° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.6 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.8h |
| September | Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 64 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 5.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.6h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 11° | 6° | 61 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 60 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.1h |
| December | Poor | -1° - 4° | -3° | 55 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
