By the Nissan waterfall stands the building of the former Remfabriken, Gislaved’s oldest factory building, dating from 1893. Today it houses the Gislaved Industrial Museum—a fascinating starting point for exploring the area’s industrial history.

The museum displays products made from rubber, glass, celluloid, Bakelite, plastic and leather, as well as the machines used to make them. This selection reflects a shift: in 20th-century Gislaved, leather and rubber initially shaped the leading industries; later, plastic also became an important material. At the museum, you can encounter both a range of materials and the machines used to process them. The museum is accessible to everyone and also serves as an InfoPoint for certain tourist information.

Industrial history and trails along the Nissan

Two walking trails with different themes run around the museum. The Kulturstig Nissan is a 3.6-kilometre circular route outside the Gislaved Industrial Museum. Information boards explain the area’s industrial and cultural history. The Natur- och Kulturstig Nissan, in turn, is a walking trail in the town of Gislaved, where you can experience and learn about the local natural and cultural landscapes.

Another idea combines a walk with a scale model of the solar system: Solsystemet starts in the Dalen residential area and runs a total of four kilometres to the last planet in Mossarp. The stone installations are laid out to a scale of 1:1.5 billion. This gives you a sense of the route’s actual length as well as its unusual design.

Historic buildings and art around town

In the northern part of Gislaved is the local heritage park, with around ten buildings. It also contains about 600 objects; next to the park is a Domarring, a prehistoric stone circle now interpreted as a burial site. The buildings tell different chapters of local history: Orrastugan was originally a cottage for retired staff at Gislaved’s old inn and was moved to the heritage park in 1961. Väståkrastugan is a single-family house from the 18th century with a porch and ridge pole. Tingstensstugan was built here in 1845.

Public art also takes various forms. The Stjärnfall roundabout artwork covers almost 3,800 square metres and consists of 125 brushed stainless-steel columns, each six metres high. On Musiktorget stands a bronze sculpture inspired by dance and music. Another bronze sculpture in Kyrkparken is Gislaved’s first public artwork.

Parks with their own character

Dalenparken is Gislaved’s largest park and lies by the Nissan. Its facilities include a gravel football pitch, a boules court and an outdoor fitness station. In the town centre, Kyrkparken offers a different setting: alongside its fishpond, there are seating areas, shade trees, summer flowers, perennials and flowering cherry trees. The green spaces differ not only in location, but also in the features that define each one.

Torgparken is Gislaved’s central park, below Stortorget. It has seating and a water feature with a fountain pond. The park provides shade during concerts and other events. Kyrkparken and Torgparken combine central locations with their own distinct features, while Dalenparken offers something different with its location by the Nissan and opportunities for exercise.

Walking, nature and exercise

Anderstorps Stormosse Nature Reserve lies near Gislaved, within walking and cycling distance of the edge of town. A gravel cycling and walking trail about 3.5 kilometres long runs through the area. In the eastern part of the reserve, near Stenbrohult, there is a birdwatching tower, parking, an information board, rest areas, a barbecue area and an outdoor toilet. Trail conditions and facilities can change; check before your visit.

South of Gislaved, a lit running and exercise track also runs alongside the Nissan along Kappeledsvägen. It is 2.5 kilometres long. As its condition may change, it is a good idea to check the latest trail conditions before using it.

For exercise in the water, Gislebadet has a large 50-metre pool and a smaller teaching pool. Courses range from baby swimming to classes for children aged six and over. Water aerobics is available as Aqua Power, Aqua Fitness and Aqua Deep. Course formats and times may change, so check the current schedule before your visit. At Glashuset, Gisle Bowling has eight lanes. The Filmcentrum there offers image and film editing, various courses, and the opportunity to try cameras, equipment and technology with expert support. The course programme and available equipment may change.

Getting your bearings and taking a break in the town centre

For travel planning: Nissastigen crosses here today, along with National Road 26 between Jönköping and Halmstad and National Road 27 between Borås and Växjö. The town centre has several cosy cafés and restaurants serving coffee, lunch and dinner. You can shape your stay around industrial heritage, walking trails and parks, with a break in the town centre along the way, without limiting your discoveries to a single theme.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Broaryd, Burseryd, Hestra, Reftele, Smålandsstenar, Gislaved, Skeppshult, Bosebo, Anderstorp.

For the main travel guide: Jönköping.