The Sommen charr has survived in Lake Sommen since the Ice Age. This long natural history becomes tangible at a specific place in Ydre: Naturum Sommen is located on Torpön in the lake and displays fish from Sommen in a large aquarium. There are 22 fish species in total. During the season, Naturum also offers guided tours; plan your visit around the scheduled dates.
Fishing is another option in Ydre: there are around 100 lakes in the area. A fishing licence is required for each one. Before fishing, check where you can get a licence and which rules apply.
Trails through nature and the landscape
A hiking trail runs all the way around the island of Torpön. The Norra Vi Trail offers a different scale: the 50-kilometre route starts at Norra Vi Church in Ydre and runs mostly along gravel roads. The entire route is accessible by car. Check the route before setting out, as it may change.
For a much shorter walk, head to Hedners park: the path through the park is about 700 metres long and partly adapted for accessibility. Its condition may change due to maintenance or weather. The park is also a restored 19th-century botanical heritage site and a nature reserve. Old, sturdy broadleaf trees and a diverse woodland environment contribute to its special value.
An unusual landscape awaits you in the Sandstorpskärret Nature Reserve: it has steeply sloping open mires, a rare natural feature in this part of Sweden. There is no parking or other visitor facilities in the area; it can be visited independently and at your own discretion. Check the latest information from the responsible authority before your visit.
In the Susehålsravinen Nature Reserve in Ydre, you can hike around waterfalls. Check the local access information before your visit. In Ydrefors, a nine-kilometre trail for hiking and cycling also starts at Brosjögården. Cycling in Ydre includes routes on both gravel roads and paved roads; routes and signs may change.
Cultural history in its original settings
In Asby, the Skolmuseet is housed in a school building dating from 1872. Smedstorps dubbelgĂĄrd offers another perspective on rural history: this old, square-shaped farmstead is surrounded by a well-preserved cultural landscape and includes a museum section in one of its buildings.
The history of blacksmithing is also visible. The water-powered Österfors smedja was built in 1876. It opens to visitors for a few weeks each summer, sharing both the history of the forge and the blacksmith’s craft. Dates vary from year to year, so it is worth checking the latest information before planning your visit. Today, a blast furnace ruin stands at Sunds bruk. Drawings, photographs and information signs on site give an impression of what the place looked like about a hundred years ago.
The Andrew Peterson Museum brings together personal traces of one life and the story of emigration: exhibits include diary entries, information about emigration, photographs and items such as tools from his life. In Ydre, different perspectives on history come together—from school life, craftsmanship and farming to personal records.
Local businesses and activities
For local specialities and a place to eat, visit Nääs Gårdsbryggeri. Facilities include a room for beer tastings, a restaurant, a pub and a farm shop. Opening hours and services may change; check before your visit. Brostorps gård makes cheese and has a summer café and a farm shop. The café is seasonal.
In Hestra, Torpavallen has an 18-hole disc golf course. Ydre’s offerings range from nature-watching and hiking trails to cultural sites, places to eat and a round of disc golf—with clear differences in trail length, landscape and seasonal visiting opportunities.
Discover more destinations: Rydsnäs, Österbymo, Sanktanna, Linköping, Kinda, Ödeshög, Norrköping, Valdemarsvik.
Return to the main travel overview: Östergötland.
