Discover Broakulla: Hiking Trails and Glass Culture

Broakulla combines a river landscape shaped by cultural history with hiking trails, bathing areas and the history of glass. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can choose their accommodation based on whether nature experiences, water, sports or glass culture should be the focus of their trip. Particularly characteristic is the combination of the Lyckebyå Valley and the traces of industrial development around Johansfors.

Hiking in the Lyckebyå Valley

The Stampaleden trail runs through the Lyckebyå Valley in Broakulla. The trail is approximately 7 km long and starts and ends in Broakulla. Along the route are small waterfalls that were formerly used for mills, forges and fulling. The trail therefore tells not only of the landscape but also of its former uses. For planning your trip, the approximate length is a useful guide if you would like to combine your stay with a longer hike.

Another trail is Kärleksvägen, a forest path between the village of Broakulla and Folkets Hus. Broakulla also has a hiking trail, a lit jogging track, a sports hall and a football pitch. This makes it possible to combine quiet paths through the forest, exercise in the village and historical impressions without limiting your stay to a single type of travel experience.

Experience the Water and Landscape

The Stampadammen bathing area is located by the Lyckebyån. It has changing rooms, toilets and a shower, as well as picnic tables, a swing set and a barbecue. Those who would like to include time by the water in their travel plans will find practical facilities here for a longer break. In Broakulla, you can also go fishing in a river landscape shaped by cultural history.

A distinctive landscape feature is Broakullafallet. The waterfall has a drop of 4.5 m and was used by Johansfors Elverk. Its significance therefore lies both in the visible landscape and in the history of local energy generation.

Glass History and Local Culture

The Johansfors Gallery is located in Broakulla on the southern edge of Glasriket, the “Kingdom of Glass”. The Johansfors Gallery is housed in a director’s villa built in 1891 by the first owner of Johansfors glasbruk. The gallery specialises in works by British and Nordic artists who work with glass, with a particular emphasis on engraved glass. Works by the Guild of Glass Engravers are also displayed there.

Johansfors glasbruk has been operating locally since 1891. Its building is considered an example of the large integrated glassworks buildings that were erected at many glassworks shortly after the Second World War. Johansfors glasbruk is also considered one of the most important industrial environments in Emmaboda Municipality. At Glasmåleriet i Johansfors, local artists, craftspeople and food producers sell their products in a jointly designed venue.

Historical Traces in the Village

The Broakulla Tryckerimuseum was established in the former power station of Johansfors. At the Tryckerimuseet in Broakulla, you can look inside through the window. In the forest near Broakulladammen, visible foundation remains of the former Broakulla farm have been preserved. The route to the original Broakulla gård follows the same alignment as it has since at least the early 19th century. Alongside the glass and river themes, these sites add another historical layer to the area.

Broakulla as a Starting Point for Planning Your Trip

When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore first decide on your preferred travel style: Stampaleden and Kärleksvägen lend themselves to a stay focused on hiking and nature, Stampadammen to combining water and relaxation, while the gallery, glassworks and museum offer opportunities for cultural and historical discovery.

For further destination ideas, you can also explore Kalmar, Karlevi, Trekanten, Föra, Hagby, Rockneby, Storafro and Ekenäs.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Kalmar.