Olshammar: Culture, Trails and Archipelago Landscape

Olshammar combines historic sites with trails for walking, tours on the water and the distinctive natural surroundings of northern Lake Vättern. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can base their choice of location on the experiences they have planned: culture around Birgittakyrkan, hiking and cycling, canoe trips or excursions into the archipelago offer different focuses for the trip.

Church, Literature and Local History

Birgittakyrkan was completed in 1620 and stands out, among other things, because of the unusual placement of its pulpit. Tours of the church can be booked through the neighbouring Olshammarsgården. Immediately south of the church stands Birgittastugan, a wooden cottage from the 18th century. It houses a small local-history museum with boat models from the former boat museum collection of Harry Karlsson. A small commemorative exhibition at Olshammarsgården also recalls Båt-Harry Karlsson.

The surroundings of Olshammarsgården also tell the story of the area's history. Between Olshammarsgården and the churchyard stand twelve linden trees known as De tolv apostlarna. Olshammarsgården is also the birthplace of the poet Verner von Heidenstam. For another historical excursion, Igelbäckens masugn lies about 9 km south of Olshammar. The preserved blast-furnace works are among the few of their kind in Örebro County; their history dates back to 1696.

Pilgrimage Trails, Walks and Cycle Tours

Olshammar is a starting point for various trail experiences. The Norra Vätternleden begins at Olshammarsgården. Cyclists can follow it from Olshammar to Tiveden National Park. Those planning a longer pilgrimage route will find the Munkastigen, a 96 km-long trail between the monastery ruins of Riseberga outside Fjugesta and Birgittakyrkan in Olshammar.

For a shorter outing, the Aspavandring passes the Rosendal bathing area after about one kilometre. This means the route can be included in a day plan without having to equate it with the long pilgrimage route. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you are mainly planning short excursions, longer stages or a combination of culture and physical activity.

Waterways and Island Nature

The water also opens up various possibilities. The Norra Vättern canoe trail is about 15 km long and leads from Askersund to Olshammar. The Hjortholmarna tour begins at Olshammar guest harbour. At Aspa Båtklubb, kayaks can be rented from a self-service box operated by VätternKajak. Small motorboat trips into the archipelago of northern Lake Vättern are also offered there.

The natural area includes the Norra Vätterns skärgård nature reserve with around fifty islands. The area is accessible only by boat and offers a diverse birdlife. Species found there include breeding goosanders, common terns, ospreys, great northern divers and other waterbird species. Those who want to focus their holiday more strongly on water and nature should pay particular attention when choosing their holiday apartment to which type of excursion best suits their travel plans.

Choosing Olshammar as a Holiday Destination

Olshammar's special character lies in the interplay between cultural monument, hiking trail, harbour and archipelago. Families and other travel groups can organise their daily rhythm flexibly: a stay can begin with Birgittakyrkan and Birgittastugan, include a trail section or cycle tour and continue with a water-based activity. For a culinary break, the restaurant at Olshammarsgården serves homemade dishes, predominantly prepared with regional ingredients. In this way, looking for accommodation in Olshammar becomes a concrete decision about the desired mix of history, activity, nature and regional character.

If you would like to compare other places in the same region, you can find Motala, Mariedamm, Åmmeberg, Aspabruk, Zinkgruvan, Hammar, Askersund and Åsbro here.

To the higher-level travel overview: Askersund.