A bridge still stands where the old ford at Hjältevad crossed the Bruzaån. The place has a clear connection to the origin and name of Hjältevads. The landscape also helps orient visitors: Hjältevad lies just southeast of Lake Hjälten and in the Brusån valley. Water, transport routes, and the built traces of the area's history offer different perspectives on the place.
Swimming area, boat rental, and fishing
The Hjälten swimming area is on Lake Hjälten and has a sandy beach, barbecue area, and toilets. Swimming conditions may vary by season. If you're planning time by the water, you can choose from several options: in addition to the swimming area, there is a boat rental on the lake, which may be available seasonally.
There is also a boat launch on Strandvägen by the swimming area. Local access conditions may change. For fishing, Hjältevadsortens FVOF allows fishing in three interconnected lakes. Before setting out, check which permits are required and what local rules apply. At Lake Hjälten, there are also a few easily accessible shore fishing spots suited to float fishing and spinning. Conditions and access may vary.
Ford, railway, and industrial history
The bridge over the Bruzaån marks the site of the former ford. Other traces tell the story of transport routes and their functions: Hjältevad's railway surroundings include a station building, a small outhouse, and older buildings that once served travelers. The road layout also recalls earlier connections. Strandvägen and the eastern part of Storgatan follow the former route of the highway between Eksjö and Vimmerby.
Klarvik dates from 1877 and is one of Hjältevad's three oldest buildings. Among the historic wooden houses, the associated outbuildings are also of great historical and experiential significance. Another part of the area's history is reflected in its residential development: housing areas with prefabricated houses from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s illustrate the importance and development of industry.
The Hjältevadshus house factory is also connected to the development of housing in Sweden. This includes the expansion phase of housing construction and the growing spread of prefabricated and catalogue houses from the 1960s onward. Together with the housing areas, these built traces make the area's industrial history a tangible subject to explore alongside the older history of the ford and transport routes.
Settlement patterns south of the village
South of Hjältevad lies Idekulla, an old linear village in an agricultural landscape. Its character is shaped by stone and wooden fences, clearance cairns, and broadleaf trees. Börsebo, an old clustered village, is also south of Hjältevad. Anyone interested in settlement patterns can compare two different forms here: the linear village of Idekulla and the clustered village of Börsebo.
Getting here and choosing what to focus on
Highway 40 runs north of Hjältevad. The municipality's transport plan, with a 2040 horizon, mentions public transport between Eksjö and Mariannelund. Check the current timetable for your specific journey.
When planning, you can distinguish seasonal opportunities by the water from longer-term architectural and historical themes. Swimming and fishing options may depend on seasonal conditions or local access; the ford, road layout, and buildings, by contrast, lead to different chapters in the area's history. This makes it possible to tailor your stay to your interests without treating the different subjects as interchangeable.
Discover more destinations: Bellö, Ingatorp, Eksjö, Mariannelund, Hult, Bruzaholm, Värne, Höreda.
Go to the main travel overview: Eksjö.
