Åkarp

Choose the turn-off towards Södra Mellby i Raskarum and become a richer experience. The narrow road leads through a unique part of Österlen, very hilly, so steep in places that there is a piste right in Åkarp. The descent is just over 200 metres and many people come here when the snow is in place and the temperature is right. Åkarp is a village with scattered farms along the road. Here you will find, among other things, Åkarp's brewhouse with flax processing.

The name Åkarp is known in writing as Akathorp as early as 1313. It is not until 1713 that the name is written as we write it today. It probably means Åke's new settlement. Between Åkarp and Mellby is a unique deciduous forest area where parts of the forest have not been touched for a long time. One can find similarities with the widely known primeval forests in Poland. The area is located by the larger farms Baråkra and Bökåkra. Baråkra is also the property that has the designation Åkarp 1. The forest is uneven-aged and the presence of old, large trees, fallen trees and dead wood is abundant.

There are many springs and streams here, of which the Åkarpsån is one. Parts of the area are used as grazing land with elements of hazel groves and juniper bushes. The lichen and moss flora is very interesting, as is the rich bird life with, among other things, nuthatches, sparrowhawks and tree creepers. There are a number of red-listed lichen and moss species here. The nearest larger town with services such as schools and shops is St Olof two kilometres to the west and Kivik two kilometres to the north-east. The distance to Simrishamn is just under two kilometres. There are bus connections from S:t Olof and S. Mellby.