The Skåneleden trail is a long-distance walking trail that stretches all over the countryside of Skåne, in southern Sweden. The trail spans around and is divided into seven sub-trails, with a total of 148 sections. The trail can easily be recognized by the orange trail marks along the footpath. The trail runs from the west to east and from north to south and passes through a highly diversified landscape such as rocky coastlines, undulating ridges, deep forests and white sandy beaches. Parts of the trail are accessible by wheelchair.
The trail features around 90 permanent shelters at designated campsites. The trail is also part of the long North Sea Trail, which passes through Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It connects to the neighbouring trails of to the east, sharing some sections with it and to the north, meeting at Koarp in Hallandsåsen.
As of 2023, visitor counters along the trail recorded between 5 and 300 hikers per day on most sections, and up to 5,000 daily visitors in popular locations such as Stenshuvud and Ales Stenar. The official Skåneleden website received over 500,000 people in 2024, and 1,830 maps of the Skåneleden trail were sold in 2021.
The management of Skåneleden is overseen by the (Stiftelsen Skånska Landskap) on behalf of Region Skåne. Since 2011, Region Skåne has served as the main authority responsible for the trail’s development and promotion, while the foundation handles its administration and coordinates maintenance efforts with 31 municipalities. Each municipality is responsible for maintaining its section of the trail and managing relations with landowners, sometimes carrying out the work directly and sometimes delegating it to other organizations. The trail passes through both public and privately owned land, with over 1,000 landowners granting access through formal agreements with local municipalities.
History The planning of Skåneleden began in 1973 as an initiative by Friluftsfrämjandet in collaboration with the County Administrative Board of Kristianstad County and various outdoor recreation organizations. Early discussions focused on identifying suitable routes that would integrate the trail into the landscape. By 1976, a project group was formed, including representatives from the County Labor Board, the Nature Conservation Unit of the County Administrative Board, and the Forest Management Board, along with landowner associations, outdoor organizations, and municipalities.
The section between Sölvesborg and Glimåkra in SL1 Kust till kust (Coast to coast) was the first inaugurated in 1978, with Sölvesborg Municipality assuming responsibility for its management. Over time, individual municipalities continued developing the network, leading to the creation of an extensive regional trail system.
In 1990, the was appointed as the main managing body, ensuring a more structured approach to municipal coordination. Since 2011, Region Skåne has served as the main authority overseeing the development of the trail, integrating its management into broader regional planning efforts.
In the 2020s, Skåneleden continued to expand its network of paths, inaugurating SL6 Vattenriket (Water Kingdom) in May 2024 and SL7 Sydkust (South Coast) in October 2024. However, in 2026, section 12 of SL4, between Snogeholm and Ystad was discontinued, following a termination of agreements with landowners.
Sub-trails
SL1 Kust till kust (Coast to coast)
The Kust till kust, or Coast to coast, trail extends across 31 sections, running through the north of Scania, from Sölvesborg in the east to Ängelholm in the west. The eastern part of the trail passes through quiet woodlands and tranquil lakes, while the western sections feature more dramatic coastal cliffs.
As the northernmost sub-trail, SL1 partially passes through the neighboring counties of Blekinge and Halland. In sections 13 and 14, going between Bjärabygget and Brammarp, the trail goes through Hallandsåsen, a hilly area, featuring Halland's highest point at above sea level. Sections 3 and 5 are partly in Blekinge, but section 3A is almost entirely in the neighbouring county. Lastly, sections 1 to 3A are considered to be a part of both Skåneleden and . Section Length Difficulty 1. Sölvesborg - Red 2. Näsum - Blue 2. - Blue 3. - Bökestad Blue 3A. Bökestad - Olofström Red 3A. Olofström - Halens camping Green 4. Bökestad - Red 5. - Blue 6. - Glimåkra Blue 6. Glimåkra - Trollabadet Green 7. Glimåkra - Osby Blue 8. Osby - Blue 9. - Vittsjö Blue 10. Vittsjö - Blue 11. - Blue 12. - Bjärabygget Red 12A. Lärkesholm - Blue 13. Bjärabygget - Koarp Red 14. Koarp - Brammarp Red 15. Brammarp - Båstad Red 15. Båstad Blue 16. Båstad - Hovs Hallar Red 16. Båstad - Skummeslöv Green 16. Båstad train station Green 17. Hovs Hallar - Torekov Blue 18. Torekov - Vejbystrand Blue 19. Vejbystrand - Hålehall Red 20. Hålehall - Örlid Blue 21. - Båstad Red 22. Vejbystrand - Ängelholm/Utvälinge Blue 23. Ängelholm - Utvälinge Green Difficulty: Green: Even and firm ground: The terrain is generally flat. The hike requires no need to use your hands for support. No obstacles. Bridges are always present when crossing waterways. Blue: Uneven and/or soft ground: Some changes in elevation. Certain sections may require hand support to maintain balance. There may be obstacles such as low stiles and short stairs. Minor obstacles like stones and roots. Boardwalks are present. Red: Loose or slippery ground combined with steep sections: Technical parts require hand support. There may be obstacles such as high stiles and longer stairs. Frequent sections with stones and/or roots. Boardwalks with deeper surrounding water. Source: Skåneleden
SL2 Nord till syd (North to south)
The Nord till syd, or North to south, trail stretches over 33 sections, from (west of Vittsjö) in the north to Trelleborg on the southern coast. The trail leads through dense woodlands, savanna-like open landscapes, and historic estates with diverse flora. The trail features several circular paths through nature reserves such as , and Hovdala.
Section Length Difficulty 1. - Olastorp Blue 2. Olastorp - Red 3. - Hässleholm Red 4. Hässleholm - Red 4A. - Hovdala Red 4B. Hovdala - Red 4C. - Hässleholm Blue 5. - Lillsjödal Red 6. Lillsjödal - Blue 6. Lillsjödal - Maglebjär/Tjörnarp Blue 6. Lillsjödal - Maglebjär/Sösdala Blue 7. - Höör Blue 8. Höör - Bjeveröd Red 9. Bjeveröd - Red 9A. circular path Blue 10. - Red 11. - Höghult Red 12. Höghult - Red 13. - Väderkullen Blue 13A. Skrylleslingan Red 14. Väderkullen - Häckeberga Red 14. Väderkullen - Häckeberga/Veberöd Blue 15. Häckeberga - Sturup Blue 15. Häckeberga - Sturup/Genarp Blue 15A. Sturup - Blue 16. Sturup - Green 16. Sturup - /Airport Green 17. - Torup Blue 18. Torup - Malmö Bulltofta Green 19. - Blentarp Blue 20. Blentarp - Snogeholm Blue 21. Torup - Fru Alstad Blue 22. Fru Alstad - Trelleborg Green Difficulty: Green: Even and firm ground: The terrain is generally flat. The hike requires no need to use your hands for support. No obstacles. Bridges are always present when crossing waterways. Blue: Uneven and/or soft ground: Some changes in elevation. Certain sections may require hand support to maintain balance. There may be obstacles such as low stiles and short stairs. Minor obstacles like stones and roots. Boardwalks are present. Red: Loose or slippery ground combined with steep sections: Technical parts require hand support. There may be obstacles such as high stiles and longer stairs. Frequent sections with stones and/or roots. Boardwalks with deeper surrounding water. Source: Skåneleden
SL3 Ås till ås (Ridge to ridge)
The Ås till ås, or Ridge to ridge, trail spans across 16 sections, linking Åstorp in the northwest, at the base of the Söderåsen ridge, to the Brösarp hills in Österlen, to the southeast. This subtrail passes through Söderåsen National Park, the largest national park in Skåne, known for its dramatic ravines. Section Length Difficulty 1. Åstorp - Hålebäck Blue 2. Hålebäck - Krika skog Red 3. Krika skog - Blue 4. - Söderåsen Red 5. Söderåsen - Red 6. - Red 7. - Red 8. - Höör Blue 9. Höör - Bjeveröd Red 9. Onsvala spring (campsite) Green 10. Bjeveröd - Red 11. - Timan Blue 12. Timan - Rebbetuaröd Blue 13. Rebbetuaröd - Blue 14. - Brösarp Red 14. Brösarp bus station Green Difficulty: Green: Even and firm ground: The terrain is generally flat. The hike requires no need to use your hands for support. No obstacles. Bridges are always present when crossing waterways. Blue: Uneven and/or soft ground: Some changes in elevation. Certain sections may require hand support to maintain balance. There may be obstacles such as low stiles and short stairs. Minor obstacles like stones and roots. Boardwalks are present. Red: Loose or slippery ground combined with steep sections: Technical parts require hand support. There may be obstacles such as high stiles and longer stairs. Frequent sections with stones and/or roots. Boardwalks with deeper surrounding water. Source: Skåneleden
SL4 Österlen
The Österlen trail, named after the region it traverses, covers across 14 sections, in southeastern Skåne. It starts in Ystad and ends in Snogeholm, passing through Simrishamn, Stenshuvud National Park, Kivik, Brösarp and Hallamölla waterfall. The landscape is characterized by long sandy beaches, picturesque fishing villages, and humid beech woodlands.
The route was formerly a circular route, with section 12 connecting Snogeholm and Ystad. This section was discontinued in 2026, following a termination of agreements with landowners. Section Length Difficulty 1. Ystad - Nybrostrand Green 2. Nybrostrand - Löderup's beach Red 3. Löderup's beach - Borrby's beach Blue 4. Borrby's beach - Simrishamn Blue 5. Simrishamn - Kivik Blue 6. Kivik - Brösarp Blue 7. Brösarp - Blue 7. Brösarp bus station Green 7A. - Red 7B. - Brösarp Red 8. - Heinge Red 9. Heinge - Red 10. - Blue 11. - Snogeholm Blue Difficulty: Green: Even and firm ground: The terrain is generally flat. The hike requires no need to use your hands for support. No obstacles. Bridges are always present when crossing waterways. Blue: Uneven and/or soft ground: Some changes in elevation. Certain sections may require hand support to maintain balance. There may be obstacles such as low stiles and short stairs. Minor obstacles like stones and roots. Boardwalks are present. Red: Loose or slippery ground combined with steep sections: Technical parts require hand support. There may be obstacles such as high stiles and longer stairs. Frequent sections with stones and/or roots. Boardwalks with deeper surrounding water. Source: Skåneleden
SL5 Öresund
The Öresund trail, named after the Öresund strait, covers across 33 sections, following the Scanian west coast between Utvälinge and the Falsterbonäset Peninsula. It includes two circular paths, one around the Falsterbonäset Peninsula and another around the island Ven. The trail offers expansive sea views and traverses several nature reserves.