Nykyrka: Local History, Nature Trails and Regional Delicacies

Nykyrka is a destination for anyone who wants to combine local history, short nature experiences and regional specialities. Between Västra Ny Church, hiking trails, historical collections and local offerings, there are various ways to plan your days. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Nykyrka, you can choose the location according to whether culture, walks, excursions or culinary discoveries should be the main focus.

Church and History in Nykyrka

Västra Ny Church and the surrounding cemetery are located in Nykyrka and the church was built in the second half of the 13th century. The church gave Nykyrka its name and is therefore an important reference point in the local history. Services are held at Västra Ny Church every other Sunday and on major Christian holidays. For travellers interested in historic religious buildings and the development of a place, this provides a specific point of interest.

The surrounding area also tells stories of earlier times. In Västra Nykyrka and the surrounding area, there are several Stone Age stone cists. The area around Nykyrka was formerly called “Motala skog”. In nearby Nubbekullen, there is a museum with several thousand everyday objects and a small collection of paintings by August Malmström. Nubbekullen is also the Malmström family home; the Västra Ny local heritage association opens it to the public. In the garden, there are seats beneath a pear tree and in a newly built pavilion by the car park. Visitors can enjoy food they have brought with them there.

Hiking Trails for Short and Longer Excursions

For a short walk in Nykyrka, the Bella-Blåmes nature trail is a good choice. The moderately challenging trail is 0.5 km long and has informative signs about nature for children and adults. This makes it possible to incorporate a nature-related activity into an outing without having to plan a long route. The nearby Östgötaleden Övralid rundt loop trail is approximately 2.4 km long and offers viewpoints as well as views of Lake Vättern.

Those who prefer a longer hike can take a 9 km, orange-marked section of the Östgötaleden between Medevi and Övralid. The nearby Håleberget nature reserve also has a 2.1 km orange-marked hiking trail. The area can be reached from National Road 50 between Motala and Nykyrka via the road towards Kolmetorp and the subsequent signposted route. Tokanäset is located north of Nykyrka and can be reached from National Road 50 via a public road. As there is no car park there, it is advisable to cover the final stretch on foot or by bicycle. These different routes help you choose excursions to suit the time available and the desired distance.

Övralid, Crafts and Regional Specialities

In summer, guided tours of Verner von Heidenstam’s house are offered every hour in nearby Övralid. In addition to Övralid, Farfarstugan Café serves waffles and hearty salads. North of Nykyrka, in Kavlebäck, Drejat av Barbro sells everyday objects made of clay or stoneware. Nykyrka also has an active village shop. Rosendal at Nykyrka 309 offers self-picking and sells berries grown outdoors. This allows you to set your own priorities between history, crafts and regional products when planning your trip.

For a break in the village, there is a barbecue area next to the ice hockey rink in Nykyrka. Depending on your excursion plans, it may make sense to choose accommodation in Nykyrka as a base for exploring the local attractions or to take travel to nearby destinations into account from the outset. Details of the location, facilities and availability of individual holiday apartments or holiday homes should be checked separately for each specific choice.

Discover More Destinations

For further travel planning, you can also find information about Tjällmo, Borensberg, Motala and Bona.

For the higher-level travel overview: Motala.