Mellbystrand: Sandy Beach, Dunes and Hökafältet

Mellbystrand is located on Laholm’s 12-kilometre-long sandy beach, which stretches from Båstad to the mouth of the Lagan. In the north, large sand dunes shape the landscape. The coastal resort combines open beach scenery with protected natural areas, cycle paths and water sports. As a result, several distinctly different landscapes meet here: the long sandy beach, the dunes in the north and Hökafältet with its wetlands and woodland areas.

Beach and dune landscape

The Hökafältet nature reserve is located in northern Mellbystrand. It includes open dunes, wetlands and woodland. At the same time, it forms part of the larger protected coastal area of Laholmsbuktens sanddynsreservat, which belongs to the Natura 2000 network. This network forms a European system of protected areas. In Hökafältet, dry dune areas therefore lie alongside wetland and wooded sections. The natural setting in northern Mellbystrand thus extends beyond the beach itself and combines several types of landscape within a small area. One specific way to explore Hökafältet is the 2.5-kilometre illuminated loop trail. It is suitable for wheelchairs and prams. Except in daylight, the lighting is switched on from 04:30 to 24:00. In the northern part of the area, there is also a birdwatching tower at Lagaoset. During the spring and autumn migrations, particularly large numbers of seabirds pass along the coast. The northern part of Hökafältet therefore combines a dune landscape with birdwatching.

Cycling and active days

The Kattegattleden runs through Hökafältet. In addition, the “Buktenbanan” mountain bike trail runs through the area: the signposted route is 12 kilometres long and family-friendly. At 12 kilometres, it is considerably longer than the illuminated loop through Hökafältet. The two options therefore differ clearly: the Kattegattleden passes through the area, while Buktenbanan is a signposted mountain bike trail at Hökafältet. Water also plays an important role in Mellbystrand. The bathing jetty below Birger Pers väg is 128 metres long and was built in 2025. Because of its shallow water, Mellbystrand is suitable for kitesurfing. Particularly many surfers meet at Kolonivägen; the water there is suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers. The bathing jetty and the surfers’ meeting point are therefore located in two clearly distinct places in the coastal resort: below Birger Pers väg and at Kolonivägen.

Bus service along the coast

Hallandstrafiken’s bus route 225 runs hourly from Laholm along the entire coast. Its route therefore follows not just a single stretch of coast, but the entire coastal route served by the line.

If you would like to compare other places in the same navigation area, you can also find Edenberga Edenberga, Värestorp Värestorp, Skogaby Skogaby, Vallberga Vallberga, Veinge Veinge, Mästocka Mästocka, Hasslöv Hasslöv and Skummeslövsstrand Skummeslövsstrand here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Laholm.