The Vandringsled Östdanmark combines a 17-kilometre hiking route with traces of the former Danish-Swedish border. The trail starts in Ålarp near Älvsered and ends at Ulvanstorp. It also includes “lilla leden”, a shorter nine-kilometre loop. If you’re planning a shorter walk, it offers an alternative to the longer route.
Hiking the Vandringsled Östdanmark
The landscape along the trail features extensive forests, streams, lakes and marshes. There are also two wind shelters and a barbecue area along the route. Thirty-five signs along the trail explain the area’s history. Signage may change during maintenance, so check the latest information before setting off. Trail conditions can also vary by season.
The trail’s historical route follows a former border between Denmark and Sweden. Nearby, Danabäcks sten is also designated as a cultural heritage site. The stone served as one of the boundary markers between Sweden and Denmark for around 600 years. The history of the border and its traces can therefore be encountered both along the route and at a designated cultural heritage site in the surrounding area.
Canoeing on the Högvadsån
Högvads Kanot rents out canoes and kayaks for paddling on the Högvadsån in Älvsered. There are signposted parking spaces at Ödegärdsvägen 2 for getting started. Allow around three to four hours for the round trip at a relaxed pace, without breaks. When water levels are low, you may need to get out and carry the canoe for a short distance.
After about 20 minutes of paddling from Älvsered, you’ll reach the bathing area at Horsasjön, which has a bathing jetty. The Högvadsån is also known for its salmon and sea trout spawning grounds. The river offers another way to connect with nature, while the bathing area is a specific destination along the water route.
Church and railway history
Älvsered’s cemetery was established in the early 19th century in connection with the construction of the new church in 1836–1837. Many of the old gravestones are considered particularly valuable from a cultural and historical perspective. The church has one of the oldest church bells in Sweden still in use. A memorial stone marks the site of the former medieval wooden church.
The Pyttebaneleden cycling trail also tells the story of a former transport link. It follows the old railway embankment between Ullared and Älvsered and is easy to cycle. Its route follows the former Falkenbergs järnväg, which operated from 1896 to 1961 and was known as Pyttebanan. The former railway line can thus be recognised as a cycling trail today, while the Östdanmark hiking trail recalls a former national border.
More activities and the region
The Motionsspår exercise trails in Älvsered are intended for running and walking. Högvads Ljus & Textil offers bookable half-day creative experiences at its candle factory. Along with hiking, cycling and paddling, there are several different activities to choose from, each with its own timeframe and focus.
Älvsered is one of eleven places in Trivselbygden, a cross-border area between Halland, Småland and Västergötland. This regional context complements the local themes: hiking trails, former borders, the church, the railway line and the river.
Discover more destinations: Ullared, Abild, Långås, Gällared, Slöinge, Tågarp, Falkenberg, Ätran
Return to the main travel overview: Falkenberg.
