Allerums mosse, Naturreservat

Allerums mosse is the last remnant of the once great Toftängsmossen. The bog was used for peat mining as early as the 18th century. To facilitate peat transportation, Allerum's peat bog road was built, also called "Kyrkstigen" because the locals in Laröd used it as such. Even today you can walk on the road bank in the reserve. The rare and beautiful marsh violet grows in Allerum bog. It has its westernmost outpost in Europe here. The old peat ditches, which are often filled with water, are now home to bunchgrass, yellow sword lily and marsh lily. Today the bog is wooded and surrounded by open pastures. The reserve is located outside Hittarp just north of Helsingborg.

Photo: Mats Sjöberg

Birch swamp with marsh violet

The Allerum bog nature reserve consists of both the birch swamp and the surrounding drained land that has been used as pasture and fields in recent times. The exclusive species marsh violet grows in the bog. It has its westernmost outpost in Europe here. The trees are dominated by silver birch, but oak, beech, elm, aspen and ash are also present. Among the shrubs, you can see hedge and bramble.

Older times peat mining in Toftängsmossen

The nature reserve is located within a previously large wet area of marshland. In the 18th century, the land was divided into different moss parcels where peat mining was practiced. The reserve, which in some parts is the last remnant of this bog area, is located in the part that was called "Toftängsmossen".

Old peat pits with sword lily

The former peat pits, which are often under water at the beginning of the year, contain reeds, bulrushes, yellow sword lily and marsh lily. In the transition between dry and wet areas, there is a zone of meadowsweet, bluebell, common bent, shore claw and water milfoil.

The ground vegetation on the higher and drier parts is relatively poor, with creeping thistle, squirrelberry and lily of the valley, but here and there richly indicative species such as woodland balsam, big rush, long fescue and horsetail appear.

Church path through the bog

Allerum's peat bog path passed through Toftängsmossen. Here the villagers transported the peat they broke out in their moss patches (shares in the bog). The people of Laröd also had the right to use the road as a church path when they went to church. Even today, the road bank remains within the reserve area.

Outdoor life

If you want to see the lovely marsh violet bloom, visit Allerums mosse at the end of April and beginning of May. The reserve is located on the north-eastern outskirts of Hittarp, a community located just north of Helsingborg. Along Christinelundsvägen in Hittarp there is a bus stop, about 500 meters west of the reserve. Along Östra Farmarevägen, in the southern part of the reserve, there is a small parking lot. Parts of the old church path pass through Allerum bog. Otherwise, there are no facilities for outdoor life.

In English

Welcome to Allerum Nature Reserve

Allerums mosse is the last remains of the large bog Toftängsmossen, where peat was cut since the 18th century. Today, it is a birch fen surrounded by drained meadows and pastures.

On the fen, birch is the dominant species, but oak, beech and ash also grow here. In the transition zone between dry and wet and shaded by the trees, you find the rare and beautiful Viola uliginosa Besser.

Here it grows together with meadowsweet, purple moor-grass, gypsywort and scullcap. Yellow flag shines bright among reeds and sedges in the old peat pits.

Allerum villagers had a road through Toftängsmossen bog, for harvesting peat. People in Laröd had the right to use the road for going to church. The embankment still remains within the reserve.

Regulations

Within Allerums mosse Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• dig or in any other way damage fixed natural objects, surface formations or types of terrain, living or dead trees, shrubs or stumps,
• plant or sow shrubs, trees or other plants,
• pick or dig up plants,
• disturb wildlife, e.g. by close-up photography or collection of insects or other animals,
• in a disturbing manner use musical instruments, radios or other music systems,
• camp or park caravans, camper vans or similar,
• bring unleashed dogs or other loose pets,
• ride horses,
• park other than in designated parking areas,
• construct facilities or put up information boards, placards, posters, signs, paper strips or similar, or make inscriptions - with the exception of information and reserve signs.
• allow competitions, camps or training activities within the area.