Discover Smålandsstenar: Culture, Trails and Nature

Smålandsstenar combines an unusually rich history with trails through landscapes along the Nissan. The approximately 8-kilometre-long Nissanleden trail runs along the river between Smålandsstenar and Skeppshult. In the north, it begins at the power station near Ågårdsfors; in the south, it reaches the illuminated exercise trail in Skeppshult. Those who like to combine exercise, culture and peaceful discoveries when planning their trip will find various opportunities here for active and varied days.

Trails along the Nissan and sporting activities

The Nissanleden is an option for a walk. The exercise trails of Motionsspår Smålandsstenar are intended for running and walking; cycling and horse riding are not permitted there. This restriction is important to bear in mind when planning the day if different activities are to be combined.

Cyclists also have their own option: the red Mountainbikeled Smålandsstenar mountain-bike trail starts at the clubhouse of OK Vivill by the illuminated exercise trail and is 1.6 kilometres long. For a trip on the water, canoes and equipment for the Kanotled Nissan canoe trail can be rented at Hörsjöns camping in Smålandsstenar. The providers also offer collection or transport to the starting or finishing point. This makes it possible to plan walks, a short mountain-bike route and a day of canoeing as separate highlights without combining them into a single route.

Stones, old roads and local history

The Domarringarna stone circles are closely connected with the identity of the town: they gave Smålandsstenar its name. At Västbo hembygdsgård, there is a burial ground with twenty upright stones. Each stone is approximately 2,500 years old. Another site near Skäppekullen lies northeast of Smålandsstenar by the Nissan and the old Nissastigen route. There, visitors can walk among the stone burial settings.

Nissastigen itself is a very old road through Smålandsstenar. It already existed as a riding trail in pre-Christian times. In addition, the area around Smålandsstenar is unusually rich in Stone Age finds compared with other parts of Småland. Those interested in early history and the perception of landscapes can combine these traces of the past with a walk outdoors.

Villstad church village and the oldest Småland

In nearby Villstad church village, there is a marked trail 2–3 kilometres long, a car park and a bus connection. From the bus stop, it is approximately 350 metres on foot to the church. The open agricultural landscape, ancient oaks and avenues of Villstad church village are of great value from a nature-conservation perspective. This gives the location a different travel focus from the trails immediately along the Nissan: here, cultural landscapes, the church surroundings and historical character stand side by side.

Villstads hembygdsgård is located northeast of Smålandsstenar. The site is one of Sweden’s oldest local heritage museums and comprises seven relocated buildings. These include Röshultsstugan, dating from 1778, which is furnished as a home and museum. During the summer months, Villstads hembygdsförening also included singing and storytelling evenings, peatland walks and poetry evenings in its programme of events. The individual events should therefore be understood particularly as seasonal suggestions for trip planning.

Choose holiday accommodation to suit your travel theme

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Smålandsstenar, it is worth deciding on your preferred daily rhythm first. If you are planning longer walks along the Nissan or a canoe trip on the Kanotled Nissan, you can choose the location according to your preferred excursion area. For days focused on cultural history, Villstads hembygdsgård, the Domarringarna stone circles and Villstad church village become the main attractions instead. The municipal outdoor pool Hörsjöbadet adds another option for spending time outdoors.

More local pages for trip planning: Bosebo, Gislaved, Reftele, Anderstorp, Burseryd, Broaryd, Hestra and Skeppshult.

Return to the main travel overview: Gislaved.