Hallandsåsen is a Swedish horst, on the border between Skåne and Halland, covered by a forest of broad-leaved trees. I and my family went there an autumn morning to hike and barbecue some sausages. This morning we got there while there still were some morning mist left in the forest, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Anyone who’s been to a broad leave forest knows it’s a special kind of experience. It’s not as dark and moody as a pine forest and has a rich undergrowth of bushes and smaller plants. I used to imagine that the forest at Hallandsåsen was much like the Sherwood Forest when I was a kid. And that actually isn’t very far from the truth. Hallandsåsen was the hideout for Snapphanarna during the 17th century. From there they raided and plundered traders traveling through the forest, much like Robin Hood and his merry men.
I was lucky to grow up in the vicinity of the forest. We used to go there all times of the year, from the spring time before the leave bud burst, to the winter time when the snow transformed the scenery. Every season has its own charm and I certainly like the autumn with all its colours and the mist rolling in between the trees.
