Discover Braås on Lake Örken

Braås combines the landscape of Lake Örken with nature reserves, historic sites and a wide range of outdoor activities. When planning your trip, the question is therefore less about finding a single attraction and more about choosing the rhythm you want for your days: would you like to spend time by the water, try out cycling routes, learn about natural and cultural history, or combine different activities? A holiday apartment or holiday home in Braås can serve as a base for this, although your choice will depend above all on which of these aspects of the area interests you most.

Nature at Lake Örken and historic landscapes

Braås Park Nature Reserve is bordered to the east by Lake Örken, with a 4-kilometre-long shoreline. While hiking there, you can see remnants of the estate’s former parkland, including buildings, memorial stones and avenues of trees. The area extends across former arable fields and meadows belonging to Braås gård. This combination of lakeside scenery and visible traces of the past gives a walk a special character, without requiring you to focus exclusively on historical sights.

The Sjösås äng Nature Reserve also tells the story of the landscape’s former use. It includes former hay meadows with visible old fields and clearance cairns. In the northern part, the area is mown by hand with a scythe every year to preserve its distinctive flora. At the Braås waterfront promenade, a steamboat pier offers wide views across the bays and islands of Lake Örken. In the western part of Braås, the promenade follows the lake and continues as a scenic, narrow gravel path to Braås Park Nature Reserve.

Water, cycling trails and exercise

For a day by the water, the Braås bathing area on Lake Örken offers a sandy beach, a floating jetty, a playground, changing rooms and water toilets. If you prefer travelling on two wheels, Braås Bikepark has kilometres of well-maintained, playfully designed cycling trails through the Småland forest landscape. There are quieter routes and easier obstacles for families and beginners, as well as technically more demanding sections for experienced cyclists. This allows you to adapt your choice of cycling routes to the experience levels within your group.

Another option is the Braås pump track. The facility covers 1,350 m² and has a 190-metre-long circuit. It can be used with bicycles, skateboards, kick scooters or inline skates. For a shorter bout of exercise, consider the Braås elljusspår: the approximately 1.4-kilometre-long trail has a rolling topography and is intended for walking, running and cross-country skiing. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore take into account whether you are more likely to plan longer excursions or straightforward activities in your daily schedule.

Culture and further activities

At Braås Hembygdspark, the buildings and collections of the local heritage association have been reconstructed and restored as a living museum. Sjösås gamla kyrka offers a different cultural experience, with its unusually well-preserved medieval architecture in the Late Gothic style and richly decorated, period-typical interior dating from the 18th century. Anyone interested in church art and regional history can combine this visit with the natural impressions of the nature reserves.

Braås aktivitetspark adds sporting opportunities to the area’s natural and cultural attractions. The obstacle course has 10 demanding military-style obstacles. There is also a padel facility with two doubles courts and one singles court; rackets and balls can be rented. The multi-arena can be used for football, walking football, football tennis, basketball, floorball and handball. This gives you a range of ways to enjoy active days in Braås, from a walk along Lake Örken to a sporting group experience.

Further places to consider when planning your trip

If you would like to consider additional destinations alongside Braås, you can also explore Ryd, Gemla, Tävelsås, Ingelstad, Jät, Dädesjö, Värends Nöbbele and Rottne. In Braås itself, the options range from accommodation for relaxing days by the lake to a base for cycling, hiking, culture and sports.

For the higher-level travel overview: Växjö.