In Hultsfred, trails and exhibitions tell different stories about the town: from its history as a military training ground to Swedish popular music and the festival scene. There are also cycling routes that take in lakes, gravel roads and nature reserves in different ways.
Themed trails between Slätt and festival history
A self-guided themed trail leads around Hultsfreds Slätt. The route is about two kilometres long and has 24 information boards. Slätt was the site of an important military training ground; both Vilhelm Moberg and Astrid Lindgren are associated with its stories. The “Rätt & Slätt” exhibition about life on Slätt is now housed in a former provisions storehouse on Slätt, which soldiers called “Fläskförrådet”.
Hultsfred – The Walk offers a different way to explore the history. The physical circular route is by Lake Hulingen, on the historic festival grounds. Starting at Klubben, around 40 signs form a loop. The Hultsfred – The Walk app offers music, film clips, facts and augmented reality experiences that can be enjoyed on site in Hultsfred. App features may change over time; check what is currently available before your visit.
Music, archives and local history
“Home Sweet Hultsfred” explores the history of the Rockparty association and the Hultsfred Festival. Photos, films, posters and anecdotes take visitors back to the time when the festival was at its most significant in Sweden. Exhibition visiting arrangements may vary; check the current options before planning a visit.
Svenskt Rockarkiv is a music archive and an association whose aim is to collect the history of Swedish popular music. The archive’s complete articles can be viewed at its premises in Hultsfred. Here, the focus is on archival material, while “Home Sweet Hultsfred” explores festival history through a range of exhibition content.
The Hultsfreds-Hus Museum also offers a glimpse into local history. It features offices with drawing tables and office machines from the 1940s to the 1980s. There are also house models, house catalogues, pictures and drawings related to the history of Hultsfreds-Hus. Museum visiting arrangements may vary; check them before planning your visit.
Cycling routes with different terrain and scenery
Hultsfred Gravel and Hulingen Gravel differ in both surface and route. Hultsfred Gravel is a 73.4-kilometre cycling loop that heads south along scenic roads and past numerous lakes. Hulingen Gravel runs around Lake Hulingen in Hultsfred: the route follows gravel roads through several nature reserves and past lakes. The two loops can therefore be distinguished by their described surfaces and connections to the landscape.
The rail bike route also starts in Hultsfred. It runs 11.5 kilometres each way towards the Målilla sanatorium. About five kilometres from Hultsfred, it passes through Ödhult, where there is a rest area with a coffee table, rubbish bin and ball court for children. The route also crosses Lake Hesjön and follows its shore near Målilla. As operating arrangements may change, check the current options before setting out.
Landscape and trails in the surrounding area
In the wider region around Hultsfred lies Hulingsryd, a municipal nature reserve in Hultsfred Municipality. Its varied landscape encompasses many different habitats. Exploring the area can therefore take you beyond the themed trails and cycling loops, without conflating their respective route descriptions.
Lönnebergaleden crosses the northern part of Hultsfred Municipality and connects Ostkustleden with Sevedeleden. One stage runs from Hästhagsgölen to Hultsfred, and another from Hultsfred to Lönneberga. Along the route, you’ll find historic settings and archaeological remains. The named stages provide a clear guide to the endpoints of each section.
Crafts, food and practical information
At Vemod keramik, a shop, showroom and workshop come together in one place: the BlĂĄklinten building on Norra Oskarsgatan in Hultsfred. The ceramics studio accepts enquiries about taster courses. Mat in Hultsfred serves Swedish-style home cooking every day, prepared from scratch.
Hultsfred is the southern terminus of a narrow-gauge railway line. Train services are seasonal and may change; check the current timetable before travelling. Hultsfred Tourist Information is the designated contact for visitor information; telephone 0495-24 05 05. Check the contact details before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Hultsfred, Lönneberga, Målilla, Mörlunda, Silverdalen, Virserum, Vena, Järnforsen, Rosenfors, Dalsebo.
View the broader travel guide: Kalmar.
