Mellbystrand: Beach, Dunes and Nature

Mellbystrand is one of the coastal towns along Laholm’s 12-kilometre-long sandy beach, which stretches from Båstad to the mouth of the Lagan. This gives the town a clear coastal character; at the same time, the Hökafältet nature reserve is a distinct natural area. In addition to the beach and dunes, trails, birdwatching and water sports offer further reasons to visit. The coastal landscape and the activities in the protected area provide different ways to shape your stay.

Beach, Dunes and Hökafältet

There are large sand dunes in northern Mellbystrand. In the Hökafältet nature reserve, the landscape is characterised by open dunes, wetlands and woodland. Hökafältet is part of the larger protected coastal area of Laholmsbuktens sanddynsreservat, which belongs to the Natura 2000 network. The bathing jetty in Mellbystrand is 128 metres long and was built in 2025 below Birger Pers väg. The coastal attractions range from the long sandy beach and dunes to the protected natural area and a specific structure by the water.

Walking Routes, Cycle Paths and Birdwatching

A 2.5-kilometre illuminated loop in Hökafältet is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The lights are on from 04:30 to 24:00, except during daylight. The “Buktenbanan” mountain bike trail is a marked, family-friendly 12-kilometre route through Hökafältet. The Kattegattleden also runs through Hökafältet in Mellbystrand.

The loop and Buktenbanan differ in length and use: the loop is 2.5 kilometres long and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs; Buktenbanan is a 12-kilometre mountain bike trail. There is a birdwatching tower at Lagaoset in the northern part of Hökafältet. Mellbystrand is a good place for birdwatching; particularly large numbers of seabirds pass through during spring and autumn migration. If you plan to go birdwatching, the seasonal migration offers a useful focus for your trip.

Water Sports in Mellbystrand

Mellbystrand is suitable for kitesurfing because of its shallow water. Many surfers meet at Kolonivägen; the water there is suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers. When choosing what kind of water sports to focus on, you can consider the activity and location together: kitesurfing is associated with the shallow water, while Kolonivägen is a specific surfing spot where the water suits different experience levels.

Bus Services and Finding a Hotel

Hallandstrafiken’s bus route 225 runs hourly from Laholm along the entire coast. If you plan to travel by bus, check the timetable for your travel date.

When looking for a hotel in Mellbystrand, you can start with the reason for your trip: do you want the beach to shape your stay, are you interested in the Hökafältet nature reserve, or are cycling, birdwatching and water sports your main interests?

Discover more destinations: Våxtorp, Skottorp, Edenberga, Värestorp, Skogaby, Mästocka, Hasslöv, Skummeslöv

For the broader travel overview: Laholm.