Holiday apartment in Finspång: Hiking trails, lakes and industrial history

Finspång combines diverse landscapes with a remarkable history of glassmaking and industry. Trails of varying lengths run around lakes, through forests and past former mining sites; at the same time, the glassworks, palace park and forge tell the story of several centuries of regional development.

Nature

The approximately five-kilometre Mäselnleden trail follows a circular route around Lake Mäseln. There are parking spaces and toilets at Mäselnbadet. The trail passes reed bays and rocky shores of the lake, as well as gorges, areas resembling primeval forest, open grazing land and deciduous forests dominated by oak. The 16-kilometre section between Sörsjön and Falsnäset also combines glittering lakes, birdsong and varied forest landscapes.

In the Brevens tallskogar Nature Reserve, a three-kilometre hiking trail leads through open pine forests, wetlands and lakes. The Hällestad-Torps Nature Reserve has a 2.7-kilometre hiking trail through old mixed coniferous forests by Lake Lyren; there is a barbecue area there. In the Lövfallet Nature Reserve, an approximately 1.5-kilometre hiking trail runs through old spruce and pine stands, dry rocky areas, damp ravine forest and stands of aspen. The Regnaholm Nature Reserve has a two-kilometre hiking trail along Lake Regnaren through deciduous forest dominated by beech and aspen; there are picnic tables there. In the Sätra Nature Reserve, a 1.5-kilometre hiking trail provides information about the local geology, important minerals and old trees. The Tjuttorps Nature Reserve has two short hiking trails of approximately 1.3 and 2 kilometres through deciduous forest; outdoor barbecuing is possible on the headland. In Vibjörnsparken, the network of trails is supplemented by a nature trail with information boards, nesting boxes and carved wooden animals, as well as an alternative route.

On the way

In Finspång, an approximately 10-kilometre cultural-historical circular walk begins at the tourist information office in Kulturhuset. It provides insights into local history from the 17th to the 20th century. The approximately 11-kilometre section between Regna kyrka and Älgsjön is part of the Östgötaleden trail and can be covered on foot or by bicycle. At the end of the route, there is a bathing spot at the clear, gently shelving Lake Älgsjön.

The approximately 23-kilometre route between Rejmyre and Regna kyrka is also part of the Östgötaleden trail and can also be completed by bicycle. Near Lake Långtvaren, it offers beautiful views. Rejmyre is the starting point for the Rejmyre–Falsnäset stage of the Östgötaleden trail. The 16-kilometre section between Falnäset and Rejmyre is part of the Östgötaleden trail and is well suited to cycling. Gruvleden begins in Grytgöl and is approximately 12 kilometres long; near Grytgöl, the trail passes through a mining area with sites such as Jungfrugruvan and Hållersgruvan.

Water

The canoe routes in Finspång connect lakes via streams and waterways. Along the routes, there are organised rest areas and wind shelters. In Finspång’s 368 lakes, visitors can fish for pike, perch, stocked rainbow trout and trout. The municipality of Finspång has 15 municipal bathing spots, three non-municipal bathing spots and a playground with water installations.

Culture

Reijmyre Glasbruk was founded in 1810 and continues to produce mouth-blown glass in its historic glassworks. Guided tours explain the history of the glassworks and the entire production process. Visitors can try glassblowing at the furnace together with experienced glassblowers. In addition to the factory shop and glassworks, the Reijmyre glasmuseum displays historic glass as well as a carriage from the period when the cableway was in operation.

Finspång Palace Park was laid out in the 18th century, is open to the public year-round and includes, among other things, the Aurora Temple, Järntemplet, the Lugnet pleasure house and an orangery building from 1831. Hällestads Storgruva is an approximately one-kilometre circular walk at a former iron ore mine that reached its heyday in the 17th century. Visitors can find stones containing iron ore and other interesting minerals there.

Häfla hammarsmedja at Häfla ström in the municipality of Finspång is an industrial monument between Lakes Regnaren and Vagnaren. The industrial site operated until 1924 and consists of a forge with a smaller ironworks.

You can access additional destination pages via Rejmyre, Finspång, Hällestad, Regna, Skedevi, Risinge, Ljusfallshammar and Grytgöl.

To the higher-level travel overview: Östergötland.