Osby: Forest, Water and Culture

Osby combines forest and water landscapes with hiking trails and cultural history. In the municipality of Osby, you’ll find deep forests, flowering meadows and numerous lakes; visitors can also explore 238 islands. Osby is located in the coniferous forest region in northeastern Skåne and has several lakes, the largest of which is Osbysjön. This means possible activities range from circular trails and paddling to historic sites.

Forests, Lakes and Distinctive Landscapes

On the Näset peninsula in Osbysjön lies a municipal nature reserve with grazed wet meadows and water-filled former diatomite pits. Nytebodaskogen offers a different kind of forest landscape: it is Skåne’s only coniferous forest with a character similar to a nature reserve; pine trees more than 200 years old grow there. There is a car park by the Nytebodaskogen nature reserve.

Hiking Trails and Water Activities

When hiking, you can choose by length and route: Näset has two marked circular trails, 1.4 and 1.8 kilometres long. The marked Klinten loop is about two kilometres long and leads to a viewpoint with views stretching for kilometres over Osby and the lake; it is fully accessible with a stroller. At Hjärtasjön, a hiking trail about three kilometres long passes through mixed forest and offers views of the lake.

Fishing in Osbysjön is free for both beginners and experienced anglers. Species found there include carp, pike, perch, burbot and trout. Skeingesjön and the Helge å also offer varied fishing waters with many fish species; there is also a boat launch at the north end of the lake. Along an approximately 20-kilometre stretch of river between Delaryd and Hästberga, you can fish for trout in both fast-flowing and calm water.

Osbysjön is ideal for a peaceful family paddle around the Näset peninsula. Another paddling route on the Helge å runs between Kornberga and Visseltofta. It is short, calm and suitable for beginners, and is a good fit for adults and children.

Plan Cycling Routes and Stages

Cycling routes run through the municipality of Osby. The Skåneleden, SL1 Kust till kust, Stage 5, runs east–west through Nyteboda. This is separate from a circular trail of a few kilometres in the nature reserve; the two routes do not together form a loop.

There is a bus stop in Glimåkra and a train connection in Osby along the Glimåkra–Osby section of the Skåneleden. If you plan to use these connections for your stages, it’s best to check the timetables in advance.

Culture and History

At Sliperiet Gylsboda, a permanent exhibition featuring old photographs tells the story of diabase mining in the early 20th century; another exhibition is dedicated to minerals and fossils. Visits are available by appointment. Sibbarps skans was built during the Kalmar War of 1611–1613 to strengthen the Danish-Swedish border.

Örnanäs is the first cultural reserve in Skåne. The entire cultural and historical environment is protected there, including the landscape, buildings, knowledge and traditions. Visitors can walk through the historic farm landscape, among buildings and house foundations, and across fields and meadows.

The exhibitions at Lekoseum showcase the history of BRIO: from the first toy in 1907 and the classic Osby horse to the popular wooden railway from 1958. Together with the landscapes and trails, this makes for a trip where nature, outdoor activities and culture can each take centre stage.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Killeberg, Visseltofta, Lönsboda, Osby, Hökön, Svanshals; Trelleborg, Sjöbo.

For the main travel overview: Skåne.