Holiday apartment in Åtvidaberg: Oak landscapes and industrial history

In Åtvidaberg, oak landscapes, trails, waterways and industrial history come together. The Åtvidsnäs nature reserve is located immediately next to Åtvidaberg and includes grazed meadows as well as deciduous groves with old oaks and lime trees. Valuable parts of the Eklandskapet oak landscape, which has been designated as being of national interest, are located within the built-up area. Some oak parks and green spaces in Åtvidaberg are also part of the Natura 2000 network.

Nature

The oak circular trail in Åtvidaberg is approximately 1.5 kilometres long and has five information boards. In the Åtvidsnäs nature reserve, there are picnic tables and information boards at the main car park. The Östgötaleden trail near Fallaån also has a shelter with a barbecue area and a dry toilet. Hälsans stig is approximately 7 kilometres long and starts at Gamla Torget.

Shorter trails are also part of the surrounding landscape: in the Åtvidsnäs nature reserve, Sjörundan is a marked walking loop of approximately one kilometre. The Bysjön rundt hike passes through pastureland and over small streams before reaching the grounds of Adelsnäs and the castle park. Bysjön runt is a circular loop and part of the Östgötaleden. The trail runs through the town of Åtvidaberg, through the castle park of Adelsnäs and through several nature reserves.

There is a combined cycle and walking path to Åtvidsnäs from Strandgatan in Åtvidaberg. It passes through a tunnel under Road 35 to Åtvidsnäs.

History and culture

Åtvidaberg’s industrial environment developed around medieval mines and is of great social and industrial-historical significance. In Närstad, Mormorsgruvan has a small mining museum and a mine walking trail. Dacke Skans is a hillfort with extensive views over southern Uknadalen. Åtvidaberg is also home to the only functioning solar cannon in the world.

The ÅSSA industrial and motoring museum displays vehicles and objects connected with local manufacturing and former local business activities. The Åtvidaberg school museum is also located in the same premises. Åtvidaberg Folkpark was established in 1908. It has a dance floor, a playground, outdoor exercise equipment, adventure golf and a boule court. The adventure golf course consists of 12 holes, three of which have an Åtvidaberg theme.

Gärdserum Church is one of Sweden’s earliest Neo-Gothic churches. It is open to visitors and serves as a wayside church in summer. Hannäs church ruin comprises the ruins of a stone church from the 15th century; there are also traces of an older wooden church from the 12th and 13th centuries. There are picnic tables at Hannäs church ruin, and parking is available beside the road.

Water

On Bysjön, the Musikbåten E/S Vågspelet offers guided cruises departing from Tornbryggan. The E/S Vågspelet is adapted for wheelchairs and walking frames and has a ramp. Those who want to explore the lake themselves can rent canoes from Solkanonklubben. Shorter trips lasting a few hours or longer day trips are available.

Another historic connection to the landscape is provided by the Risten-Lakviks Järnväg. It offers a nostalgic steam train ride from the station area in Lakvik to Lake Risten and back.

Regional destinations

Skogsträdgården Humlestigen offers guided tours focusing on the cultivation method and the layout of the forest garden. In Lakvik’s station house, the café serves homemade open sandwiches, waffles, coffee pastries and refreshments.

More local pages: Åtvidaberg, Falerum.

For the higher-level travel overview: Östergötland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Motala, Kinda, Linköping, Ödeshög, Mjölby, Söderköping.