A sparkling, legendary archipelago-like landscape on Lake Sommen sets the scene; the municipality of Boxholm is also home to vast forests, marshes, and species-rich rocky meadows and pastures. Lakes and waterways offer opportunities for fishing and swimming. The municipality’s nature guide presents 50 of its finest natural areas with text, photos, maps and trail descriptions—a guide to a range of landscapes and routes.
Hiking through forests, along rivers and by lakes
In the Göstrings urskog Nature Reserve, a marked, two-kilometre circular trail leads through the area from the car park. The forest is characterised by hilly terrain, ancient trees and well-marked trails. The Östgötaleden trail also runs directly through the reserve. From the car park, you can also reach a small, designated barbecue area by Lake Trehörningen.
The Östgötaleden section from Boxholm to Blåvik offers a longer hike: it is 23.4 kilometres long, rated easy, and has opportunities to swim along the route. South of Boxholm, the trail follows the Svartån River and passes through attractive pastures at Börshult. From Klevaberget, you can look out over the surrounding forests and Lake Kleven. You can choose between a two-kilometre circular walk in the reserve and a considerably longer stage with places to swim—two different route options to consider when planning your trip.
Other sections of the Östgötaleden also have notable places to stop. Between Boxholm and Strålsnäs, the trail crosses the Lillån River twice; in the forest near Strömmen there is a shelter with a fire pit. On the Strålsnäs–Bleckenstad section, another shelter with a fire pit is located at Uvberget, about four kilometres along the route. The Svartån River offers a scenic spot to rest.
Nature areas and trails by the water
The LillĂĄn Nature Reserve is in the municipality of Boxholm and aims to protect and enhance particularly valuable aquatic habitats. It contains rare terrestrial and aquatic biotopes and several species in need of protection. The LillĂĄn is home to, among others, trout, freshwater pearl mussels, pearl mussels and otters.
The Idebo Nature Reserve provides a habitat for woodpeckers, insects, mosses, lichens and fungi. From Björkbacken, you can follow a forest path towards Bockudden. There you’ll find a deep rock crevice surrounded by heights rising up to 80 metres above Lake Sommen. There is parking for five cars and a picnic table at the Idebo steamboat landing; check the information about these facilities before your visit.
In summer, the S/S Boxholm II steamboat provides a connection to and from the Idebo landing. Check the timetable before travelling. There are also various ways to explore the water: the municipality offers paddling on nature-oriented canoe routes, with maps showing routes on the SvartĂĄn River, the Kinda Canal and the StĂĄngĂĄn River. Cycling around Lake Sommen is another listed activity. The joint Sommen 365 initiative by Boxholm, Ydre and TranĂĄs brings together outdoor experiences on a map, including hiking, cycling, swimming spots, fishing and nature reserves.
Cultural history in buildings and landscapes
The Boxholms Bruksmuseum is housed in an old mill building dating from 1777, the oldest building in Boxholm. Its exhibits tell the story of the town and its development through numerous objects from the ironworks era, films and guided tours. Archaeological sites also tell the story of how the landscape has been used: more than 800 are known in the municipality. Traces from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages span approximately 10,000 BC to AD 1050; later periods are associated, among other things, with forestry, ironworks communities and croft settlements.
Churches add further historical and landscape highlights. Ekeby Church dates from the Middle Ages, possibly the 13th century. Its original fieldstone walls are incorporated into the present nave; the church also has a Romanesque sandstone font from the Arcadius group and a 14th-century rood cross. In Åsbo Church, the barrel vaults in the nave and chancel feature band and plant motifs. The altarpiece in Rinna Church, depicting the Ascension, was painted by Pehr Hörberg. In Malexander, the church and cemetery stand on elevated ground by the shore of Lake Sommen; a will written in 1345 suggests that a church may already have stood there at that time.
Getting around
Boxholm is served by the Östgötapendel commuter train. Convenient parking for the Boxholm–Blåvik section of the Östgötaleden is available at the Boxholm Travel Centre and by Blåvik Church. Bus services to Mjölby and Boxholm are available in Bleckenstad on Road 32 and in Strålsnäs.
Discover more destinations: Boxholm, Blåvik, Norrköping, Vikbolandet, Sanktanna, Ödeshög, Valdemarsvik, Åtvidaberg
Return to the main travel guide: Östergötland.
