Ystads sandskog, Nature reserve in Ystad Municipality, Sweden.
Ystads sandskog is a coastal nature reserve with pine forests, sand dunes, and varied plant life spread across the protected area. Walking paths run through the woodland and lead to the beach, where visitors can swim and explore the shoreline.
The forest was planted in the early 1800s to defend the town against moving sand dunes that threatened to bury farmland and buildings. This planting project solved a major problem that was reshaping the region at that time.
The forest and beach are woven into Swedish traditions of spending time outdoors in nature, where walking through wild spaces is a daily habit for many people. Locals use this place regularly to step away from town life and connect with the coastal landscape.
The reserve is open for visitors throughout the year with easy-to-follow walking paths. Swimming is possible during warmer months, and camping facilities nearby make it convenient for longer stays.
The reserve holds ancient landforms from the period after the ice age with fossilized dunes and beach ridges that are thousands of years old. These geological features show how the shoreline has shifted over time.
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