Skanörs Ljung Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Vellinge, Sweden

Skanörs Ljung Nature Reserve is a wet heath on the Falsterbo Peninsula, one of Europe's largest, with heather, cross-leaved heath, marsh gentian and dwarf gorse. It lies between Ljunghusen, Skanör and Falsterbo on both sides of länsväg 100 and covers 580 hectares, including part of Ljunghusens golf club.

The heath developed after people cleared old oak woods for building and fuel, and then let animals graze the land for hundreds of years. Archaeologists have also found remains of Iron Age settlements and old beach ridges here, showing how the coastline once lay.

Cattle graze on the heath each year to keep the land open, and in spring small patches are burned so fresh plants can grow. This way of managing the ground continues a long local practice of using animals and fire to shape the landscape.

Marked paths cross the open land and give views toward the sea, with a few parking areas and small shelters at the edges. A pair of sturdy walking shoes helps on the soft sandy ground, and visitors should follow the signs to avoid disturbing grazing cattle or nesting birds.

The open heath creates thermals that let large numbers of birds of prey spiral upward before leaving the country in autumn, which draws ornithologists to the reserve. The Iron Age farmstead Skyttsie hage lies within the area, active until the herring market expanded in the 14th century.