Aneby between a bird lake, hiking trails and a waterfall

East of Aneby lies Hyllingen, a shallow bird lake with two observation towers. One of them is accessible to visitors with disabilities; from the car park, you can reach it via a gravel path about 300 metres long. This makes it possible to combine birdwatching with a specific nature destination, without needing to take a longer hiking route.

Waterfall and woodland

The Furulid Nature Reserve lies immediately southeast of Aneby and is a woodland area close to town. Two areas are particularly easy to find when getting your bearings: there are car parks, shelters and barbecue areas at Danska sågen and by the football pitches on the edge of Aneby Park. The reserve also has a floodlit running track, marked running and mountain biking trails, as well as numerous unmarked paths. Horse riding is permitted on designated roads and trails.

Stalpet is a 20-metre-high waterfall described as the tallest waterfall in southern Sweden. There are car parks, toilets and water near the start of the trail; a staircase leads down into the ravine. In addition to the waterfall, Stalpets Café and Hantverk serves coffee and pastries in the garden and sells local crafts in its craft shop. If you are hiking the Smålandsleden, you can reach the train and bus connections at Aneby Resecentrum via a detour of about 2.1 kilometres each way.

Trails for different kinds of outings

The Anebyleden is a hiking trail about 78 kilometres long that crosses the entire municipality of Aneby. There are shelters and overnight huts along the trail. At around seven kilometres, the Svartåleden is considerably shorter: it follows the Svartån through residential areas and green spaces in Aneby. The two routes therefore differ both in length and in their surroundings.

For a cycling trip, the approximately 25-kilometre Ralången circuit combines nature and cultural experiences. At Anebysjön, you can find walking paths connected to the town, a bird tower, a floating bridge, a shelter and a barbecue area. Easily accessible shore fishing is also available just a few hundred metres from the centre of Aneby. If you would rather plan a visit to a bathing spot, there is a family-friendly site near the centre with jetties, a grassy beach, a playground, changing rooms, toilets and a ramp for improved accessibility.

Furulidsbadet is in Aneby, by Furulidskolan. It has changing rooms, a sauna and a 12.5-metre pool suitable for swimming lessons and water aerobics. For planning purposes, it is helpful to compare the approximate distances with the respective destinations: the figures for the Anebyleden and Svartåleden differ considerably, while the Ralången route combines nature and cultural experiences by bike.

Culture and everyday life in Aneby

Åsens by is open year-round and combines an open-air museum with exhibitions, playgrounds and activities such as courses in traditional crafts and farming methods. The landscape there shows what the rural countryside of Småland is said to have looked like around 1900. The farm shop sells local products and crafts; the café serves homemade coffee and pastries as well as light meals.

Aneby kyrka also has several distinctive features: its octagonal church interior was inaugurated in 1997, and an unusual outdoor baptismal font stands in front of the main entrance. There is a digital tour for a look inside. Check its availability in advance if you would like to use it for planning. Aneby Folkets Park is an open, democratic meeting place for culture, entertainment and social gatherings.

The library in Aneby also offers self-service access outside staffed opening hours. You can borrow and return books, pick up reserved books, read newspapers, and use computers and the guest network. The library also publishes a free programme of events each semester, for example with children's theatre and creative activities; the specific offerings change from semester to semester.

If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Aneby, it is best to choose your excursions according to your interests: birdwatching and woodland trails, a waterfall and ravine, a longer hike, or cultural activities all offer different focal points for planning your trip. Then check the location of the specific accommodation in relation to your plans.

Discover more destinations: Sunhultsbrunn, Aneby, Värnamo, Gnosjö, Mullsjö, Månsarp, Gislaved, Marieholmsbruk.

For the main travel overview: Jönköping.