The Selanty Nature Trail starts in Selanty Park in Nybble and follows the Visman River. Värmlands Säby lies immediately south of the village. The Värmlands Säby Nature Reserve, the walking trails and the historical connections offer different ways to shape a stay. Anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors and is also interested in old farmsteads and the history of agricultural buildings can include both nature and culture in their travel plans. Comparing the two walking trails is particularly revealing: they differ both in length and in layout.

Nature Reserve and Walking Trails

The Värmlands Säby Nature Reserve is home to a rich variety of birdlife, as well as numerous insect and lichen species. Its diversity therefore encompasses several groups of living things and is a distinctive feature of the protected area. An information board is located by the car park and at the entrance to the nature reserve. It is positioned at two points relevant to finding your way around the area.

A marked walking trail of about 5.5 kilometres runs through the northern part of the nature reserve. The Selanty Nature Trail is a 3-kilometre circular route. It is narrow, follows the Visman River and starts at Selanty Park in Nybble. You can choose between a marked route of approximately 5.5 kilometres in the northern part of the reserve and a shorter circular trail that starts in the village and follows the river. Their different lengths and layouts provide a clear basis for planning, without treating the trails as identical.

The Selanty Nature Trail passes Värmlands Säby, a manor house dating from the 18th century. An oak avenue and a stone wall are part of the described scenery along Säbyallén. So the route is about more than just the river and nature trail: the avenue, the wall and the manor house also shape its cultural and historical character. This makes the Selanty circular trail a fitting choice for travellers who would like to take in the built heritage while walking.

Farmsteads and Architectural History

Värmlands Säby is considered one of the oldest farmsteads in Värmland and was first mentioned as a monastic estate in 1216. This early reference and its designation as an 18th-century manor house point to different historical periods. The history of the estate can therefore be considered both through its mention as a monastic estate and through the later classification of the manor house.

Another architectural highlight in its recorded history is Rian: the building was constructed in 1760 to dry grain and was one of the first stone-built grain-drying facilities. Its construction was directly related to its function at the time. At Rian, stone buildings were built with fireboxes outside; the heat was channelled into the building to reduce the risk of fire. This description shows not only what Rian was used for, but also how its design was adapted to that use.

To get to Värmlands Säby: About 6 kilometres south of Bäckhammar, turn west towards Nybble; after about 200 metres, turn south towards Värmlands Säby. Both distances are approximate. Check the route before setting off. When choosing a trail, you can consider its stated length and distinctive character: a marked trail in the northern nature reserve or a circular route along the Visman, with the manor house and scenery along Säbyallén.

Discover more destinations: Visnum, Kristinehamn, Sörgården, Ölme.

Go to the main travel overview: Kristinehamn.