The Sandahauar dune area not only borders the fine sandy beach Skalasand but also invites you to stroll in a unique piece of nature.

Skalahauar is part of the large flysand area that covers almost the entire part of eastern Fårö called Avanäset. Skalahauar itself is highly hilly and consists of sandhills and dunes of varying shape and size. The largest dune reaches a height of just over 15 metres. A 4-7 meter high beach dune runs along the beach.

No more extensive sand mining currently takes place in Skalahauar, but the sand is effectively bound mainly by grasses and semi-grasses such as sand reeds, sedges and sedges, as well as various species of mosses. During the 20th century, the previously open Skalahauar has therefore gradually grown again, and today the area consists of a mosaic of tree groves alternating with open areas. Pine is the completely dominant tree species, but here and there some hollywood and aspen also grow. The tree saplings are often surrounded by a border of sand willow, a low, creeping shrub with fluffy, silver-grey leaves.

Skalahauar's open, summer-dry sandy areas are in many respects an extreme habitat. Despite this, the dunes are rich in life in summer. Above all, it is different species of insects – beetles, weevils, flies and more – that have adapted to living in this special environment. In the area, there are also several insect species that are very rare and threatened with extinction in Sweden. Among these rarities are the two road stilts, the dune road stilt and the wind road stilt, as well as the large grasshopper stilt. All of these stickleback species are predators, and their prey consists of spiders and grasshoppers

Regulations

For everyone's well-being and in order to maintain the reserve's natural and cultural values, it is important that all visitors show consideration. In addition to the right of public access, it is not permitted to:

• drive a motor vehicle
• tent or set up caravan
• make fire
• put up a board, sign or poster
• collect insects
• break branches, fell or otherwise damage live or dead trees or shrubs.

Source: Gotland County Administrative Board - 2022-01-20

Access: Toilet