At Ryfors, the history of the ironworks dates back to 1742. The site includes an active forge, a concert hall in the old water channel building and a bowling alley that is now open for use. This heritage can also be seen on trails through the landscape: the seven-kilometre Eriksgatuleden runs along sections of medieval bridleways and through Sweden’s largest continuous network of sunken lanes, which forms part of the old Eriksgatuleden.
Näs Herrgård also combines architectural history with a distinctive setting: the protected historic building stands right by Lake Nässjön and has one of Sweden’s two surviving 17th-century gatehouses. The five-kilometre Gyljeryd cultural walk takes visitors along Gyljerydsmon to important sites from the area’s early history and to striking traces of the Ice Age. Here, history can be discovered both in buildings and along the way through the landscape.
Museums offering different perspectives
Sägnernas hus focuses on traditional beliefs about trolls, giants, forest and water spirits, and many other beings. Museet svenska trägubbar in Mullsjö houses the world’s largest collection of Swedish-carved wooden figures: around 1,300 objects by about 250 carvers and artists. It is open on the first weekend of each month from April to October; outside this period, visits can be arranged by booking in advance. At Tavelhult Hembygdsmuseum, visitors can not only view the approximately 10,000 numbered and registered objects, but also touch them.
Ancient forests and practical information
Spruce and pine trees grow in the Ryfors Gammelskog Nature Reserve. Many trees are between 150 and 200 years old, and some pines are more than 300 years old. The reserve has several marked trails, a car park, rest areas, information boards and an accessible toilet. The blue trail is more accessible, but it is not fully wheelchair accessible because of a cattle grid and some steeper slopes.
Nyckelås is an unusually large deciduous forest area for the region, with many rare species, springs and limestone-rich rocks. Trails run through the reserve down to Lake Nässjön and the Tidan River. For practical orientation, Nyckelås has two car parks and an approximately four-kilometre marked trail through partly hilly terrain and narrow forest paths.
Choose hikes by length and landscape
Several routes differ considerably in length and surroundings. Mullsjö Runt is an easy 22-kilometre hike starting at MSOK-Stuga. It passes through open pine heath, by sparkling lakes and streams; the terrain is partly flat and partly hilly. The Knipesjöleden is shorter, at nine kilometres, and also starts at MSOK-Stuga. Its lakeside landscape combines extensive spruce forest with sections of cultural landscape; along the way, forest paths alternate with easy trails across flat and hilly terrain.
The purple-marked Stråkenleden is around ten kilometres long and takes about three hours. Good forest trails run through an easily accessible, partly hilly moraine landscape. Another option is the six-kilometre Ryforsleden: this yellow-marked loop follows good trails and easy roads. If you would prefer a longer route by the water, a 29-kilometre section of the Södra Vätterleden follows Lake Stråken through a landscape rich in cultural history, with easily accessible plateaus and pine heath. The trail is also part of the Smålandsleden.
Water, winter and the trails in between
Stråken is a relatively narrow, sheltered canoeing lake about 23 kilometres long. The surroundings are shaped by close contact with nature and wildlife, glacial sand ridges and pine forest; several rest areas and wind shelters are also available. Check access conditions locally for the latest information. Mullsjö Camping has parking as well as a bathing area. Canoes must be carried a short distance, so a canoe trolley is recommended. You can fish for perch, pike, roach and tench in Lake Mullsjön; fishing permits and boat rentals are available through Landhs Konditori.
Winter activities also vary: Mullsjö Skidcenter has seven ski runs, a ski shop, a ski school and a restaurant. The Mullsjö Ski and Orienteering Club (MSOK) has a four-kilometre artificial-snow ski trail that is lit until 10 p.m. A longer cross-country trail is added when there is enough natural snow.
Those who would rather connect the two places by bike can take a 33-kilometre route through Mullsjö and Sandhem, passing forests, meadows and lakes. The different routes and experiences offer options for planning at various scales—from a museum visit booked in advance to longer hikes and cycling trips.
Discover more destinations: Mullsjö, Sandhem, Jönköping, Aneby, Gislaved, Gnosjö, Sävsjö, Marieholmsbruk.
Back to the main travel overview: Jönköping.
