Kalmar: World Heritage, Nature and Hiking Trails

In southern Öland, a vast limestone plateau defines the World Heritage landscape. People have lived here for around 5,000 years; evidence shows continuous settlement from prehistoric times to the present day. If you are planning a trip to Kalmar, its diverse landscapes and places offer inspiration for hiking, nature watching, cultural history and local cuisine.

Southern Öland: World Heritage and hiking trails

The “Upptäck Kalmar län” excursion guide presents 70 nature reserves and cultural landscapes on the mainland and on Öland. Its maps show routes to trails, rest shelters and viewpoints; symbols provide an overview of accessibility, among other things. This makes it easy to choose according to the places and activities that interest you.

Hiking trails on Öland vary in length and layout. The Mittlandsleden runs for 53.3 kilometres through Mittlandet, is marked with orange bands and has several storytelling benches. Rönnerum-Abbantorp Nature Reserve has a 9.7-kilometre circular route as well as shorter sections. The six-kilometre Långlötleden starts and ends at the Ölands Museum Himmelsberga and follows old farm tracks, livestock paths and trails. The three-kilometre Gula slingan starts at Station Linné and leads into the southern parts of Mittlandet. The Mörbylångaleden is known as Öland’s Signature Trail and is divided into five stages.

The Kalmarsundsleden offers opportunities for hiking and cycling along more than 120 kilometres. The route passes through coastal landscapes, natural areas, places of cultural and historical interest, and small settlements; along the way, there are places to swim, rest and stay overnight. The route includes old country roads, railway embankments, village streets and coastal riding trails. There are wind shelters at several locations, as well as places where you can make a fire.

Observe nature and understand the landscape

At 2,300 hectares, Allgunnen Nature Reserve is one of the largest reserves in Kalmar County. It encompasses most of Lake Allgunnen as well as numerous large and small islands. More than 100 rare beetles have been found there to date. The lake is one of the few large unregulated lakes in southern Sweden and, together with the Alsterån River, forms species-rich aquatic habitats.

Of Sweden’s approximately 1,000 species of larger moths, 650 have been observed at Beijershamn. The site is also the only known location in the Nordic countries for the critically endangered Fönstervingespinnare. A circular trail of about 2.5 kilometres starts and ends at the southern car park, following the shore, crossing the pier and passing through wetlands. The nature reserve is accessible by car, bus and bicycle. The waters south of the pier are very well suited to windsurfing and kitesurfing.

At the southern tip of Öland lies Ottenby Nature Reserve, which the County Administrative Board describes as one of Sweden’s best places for birdwatching. It has four marked hiking trails, as well as several unmarked paths and farm tracks. The Långe Jan lighthouse was built in the 1780s, stands 42 metres tall and is Sweden’s tallest lighthouse.

Cultural history and places to explore

In Kalmar, the Kalmar County Museum features, among other things, a major exhibition about the warship Kronan. Kalmar Castle is one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in the Nordic countries. Skärgårdsparken has two Iron Age burial mounds: one is round and the other square. The square mound measures 18 × 7 metres.

An elevated railway embankment from the former railway between Kalmar and Torsås also runs through Skärgårdsparken. Construction of the line began in December 1897; it opened to traffic on 8 August 1899.

Experience Öland’s food and seasons

Öland’s Harvest Festival takes place across the island every autumn in late September, usually in week 39. The festival includes more than 900 activities, including farm shops and food markets. Shops, farm shops, restaurants, eateries and cafés sell and serve freshly harvested and processed delicacies. As the annual programme varies by season, it is worth checking the dates before your trip.

Culinary walks and tastings also bring food together with landscape and history. Guided food walks on Öland explore its natural and cultural history. A short culinary walk from Vickleby passes through the Southern Öland World Heritage Site; along the way, you can sample island delicacies while enjoying views across the vast Alvaret. A culinary walk in Mittlandet ends at Mittlandsgården with coffee brewed over an open fire and a tasting of the farm’s honey. Dates and booking options for this experience vary by season.

Farm shops, butchers, farm dairies and food producers offer a wide range of high-quality, locally produced goods on Öland. Individual businesses and their seasonal availability may change. When planning your stay, consider whether hiking trails, nature watching, cultural history or food is your priority before choosing a hotel in Kalmar.

Discover more destinations: Kalmar, Oskarshamn, Hultsfred, Vimmerby, Vissefjärda, Mörbylånga, Rugstorp, Runnö, Gullabo, Borgholm, Högsby, Emmaboda, Nybro, Västervik, Mönsterås, Torsås.

For the main travel overview: Sweden.