Skärstad: Church, nature and cycling route

Skärstad combines a clearly dated church history with landscapes, cycling and a long fruit-growing tradition. These themes offer different ways to choose a destination: Skärstad kyrka represents architectural and art history, Råbyskogen is known for its striking natural features, and the “Lakes, apples and views” cycling route takes you through the valleys of Skärstad and around Landsjön in a loop. Farm shops and historic memorial sites also add to the picture.

Church history and art

Skärstad kyrka was completed in 1819 and consecrated by Bishop Esaias Tegnér in 1827. The eight years between the two dates mark separate stages in the church’s history: its completion and consecration. Another, much later, chapter was added in 1972, when the church received a gleaming gold mosaic design in the chancel, created by artist Bo Beskow. The dates from the early 19th century thus stand alongside a work of art from the 20th century.

Architecture and railway memories

Lyckås Manor was built in 1863 and has a richly detailed plaster façade. Here, the architectural focus is on the building’s design. Lyckås also has a former station house and a goods shed, reminders of the former narrow-gauge railway between Jönköping and Vireda. These two features reflect different historical themes: the manor with its façade, and the buildings that recall a former rail connection.

Nature and cycling

Råbyskogen Nature Reserve has old coniferous forests, steep rocky terrain, marshes and small pools. The landscape is therefore not limited to woodland: rocky terrain and wet areas are also among its described features. If you are interested in nature, you can take these specific landscape features into account when planning your trip, rather than viewing Råbyskogen simply as a forest area.

The “Lakes, apples and views” cycling route offers another way to experience the area. This road cycling route runs through Skärstad’s green, fertile valleys and follows a loop around Lake Landsjön before returning. Unlike the description of Råbyskogen’s natural landscape, the route has a specific course: the valley stretch and the loop around the lake together make up its described route.

Fruit growing and regional destinations

The Rudenstam family has been growing fruit at Rudu Ödegård in Skärstaddalen since 1942. The family’s history and the location of the orchard give the story a specific timeframe and geographical setting. The farm shop sells fruit grown on the family’s own land, all of its own beverages and a wide selection of local delicacies. This brings together produce from the family’s own orchards, the farm’s beverages and other regional products.

Hägnen is in northeastern Skärstad and is a popular excursion destination. It adds another named destination to the specific themes of the church, landscapes, cycling and fruit growing. When planning your trip, you can give different interests different priorities without combining them into a single itinerary: the facts about the church and manor concern architectural history, Råbyskogen is about the landscape, the cycling route describes a loop, and Rudenstam’s farm shop is about fruit growing and its products.

Discover more destinations: Rastad, Tenhult, Alboga, Odensjö, Bottnaryd, Jönköping, Lovsjö, Lekeryd.

Return to the main travel overview: Jönköping.