Discover Eksjö: a wooden town, culture and trails

Eksjö brings together two themes: the history of a well-preserved wooden town and trails for walking or cycling. In Gamla stan, the town plan and listed buildings shape the historic setting; on the routes, distance, trail type and surroundings matter. These differences can help you plan your days around culture, exercise or a mix of both.

A wooden town and history in Eksjö

Gamla stan is considered one of Sweden’s best examples of a well-preserved, cohesive wooden town and follows a late medieval town plan. There are 48 listed buildings in the district. Cohesion is a key feature here: the historic plan, along with individual buildings, shapes the character of the wooden town.

The Eksjö Museum is located in Gamla stan by the Eksjöån River and tells the story of Eksjö. The historic town structure and the history presented by the museum thus offer two complementary perspectives on the same place.

Eksjö kyrka was built in the Neoclassical style towards the end of the 19th century, after the earlier church dating from 1666 was demolished. At the same time, the church preserves an altar and a pulpit from the late 17th century, from its predecessor. The church building and its older furnishings thus bring together two different periods.

The Aschanska hemmet at Aschanska gården can be visited as part of a guided tour. Fornminnesgården houses extensive collections of tools, crafts and furnishings. These cultural sites offer different experiences: a guided visit to the Aschanska hemmet or collections of tools, crafts and furnishings.

Trails for walking and cycling

Hälsans stig is a 5-kilometre loop on lit cycle and walking paths in Eksjö. A cycling route close to town runs around Lake Hunsnäsen; it is about 5.7 kilometres long and follows asphalt, gravel roads, trails and cycle paths. The stated distances are close, but the descriptions highlight different features: a lit loop for cyclists and pedestrians versus a cycling route around a lake with varied surfaces. Check the route details before setting out.

The Albert Engströmleden starts in the centre of Eksjö and is 45 to 74 kilometres long. It is therefore considerably longer than the route by Hunsnäsen, the other cycling option described here. You can take this difference in distance into account when choosing a route. For walking, the 4.6-kilometre Skedhultsspåret runs through the Skedhults friluftsområde and its surroundings, marked with yellow posts and arrows.

Another hiking destination is the Skurugata nature reserve, about 8 kilometres northeast of Eksjö. There are marked trails there, as well as an accessible path from the car park to Skuruhatt. The figure of about 8 kilometres refers to the reserve’s location northeast of the town, not the length of the path to Skuruhatt. This distinction helps separate a trail’s length from the location of an excursion destination.

Travelling by train

The Nässjö–Eksjö rail line offers frequent services. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable before your journey. This will help you coordinate your travel with what you want to do in Eksjö—for example, allowing time for Gamla stan and the museum or planning a walking or cycling trip.

Discover more destinations: Ingatorp, Höreda, Värne, Mariannelund, Hjältevad, Bruzaholm, Hult.

Back to the main travel overview: Eksjö.