Havängsdösen was submerged by rising sea levels for thousands of years before the land uplift revealed it again in the mid-19th century.
The Verkeån river is one of the few streams in southern Sweden that supports a self-reproducing population of brown trout.
The meadows are maintained through regulated grazing by sheep to prevent the encroachment of scrub and preserve the rare sand-living plant species.
The beach is part of a larger protected nature reserve encompassing the surrounding rolling hills and forests.
During the Bronze Age, the area was a significant burial ground, as evidenced by the numerous round mounds found in the landscape.
Haväng is a vast, open coastal landscape on the Baltic Sea, characterized by its wide, sandy beach backed by sheep-grazed meadows and shifting dunes. The area is home to the Neolithic dolmen known as Havängsdösen, which stands prominently within the Verkeån river delta. The Verkeån river flows through the Vitemölla nature reserve, providing a freshwater habitat that meets the sea at this point. Archaeological evidence indicates human habitation in the region dating back to the Stone Age, with several ancient burial sites located in the vicinity. The site is a protected area, managed to preserve its unique sandy-soil flora and open pastoral aesthetic. The coastline here is notably free from extensive urban development, maintaining a wilder character than many neighboring beaches in Skåne.
The elevated vantage point overlooking the beach with the Havängsdösen stone structure in the foreground.
Bring sturdy footwear if you plan to hike the coastal trail toward Kivik.
Wind speeds can be high due to the open landscape, so pack layers even in summer.
Keep dogs on a leash at all times to respect the grazing livestock and protected nesting birds.
Do not attempt to walk across the Verkeån river mouth if water levels are high, as the current can be stronger than it appears.
Respect the grazing animals by keeping distance, follow leave-no-trace principles, and stay on designated paths in the meadows.
