Mörbylånga: Alvar, Birdlife and Culture

Mörbylångadalen is at the heart of the Agricultural Landscape of Southern Öland World Heritage Site. The experiences featured here focus on different things: observing nature, exploring the landscape on foot, or discovering archaeological and church heritage. You can tailor your trip to the themes that interest you most.

Alvar, Birdlife and Nature Reserves

Dröstorp Nature Reserve is a mosaic of dry meadows, gravel alvar, limestone pavement and wetlands, with a rich variety of plant and animal life. Its karst features include Prästgropen, a sinkhole 40 metres in diameter and two to three metres deep. The protected areas of Karlevi norra och södra alvar include typical habitats of Stora Alvaret, shaped by grazing over thousands of years and home to many rare species.

Ottenby is a well-known destination for birdwatchers. Thousands of birds are ringed there each year at the bird observatory. The nature reserve has four marked hiking trails, as well as unmarked paths and service tracks; access restrictions may affect trail availability. Along Kyrkhamnsleden are Kungsstenarna, the ruins of Saint John’s Chapel and the remains of the fishing village of Kyrkhamn. The trail runs from Kungsgården to the southern tip through pastureland; boardwalks cross the wet sections.

The route through Ottenby lund also offers plenty of opportunities to take in nature. It passes Kyrkängen, with its orchids and other species that depend on hay meadows, as well as the lakes Prästgårdssjön and Ljungbackasjön. Frogs and toads live in the lakes, and ducks nest there. Flowering and wildlife sightings vary by season.

At Beijershamn, you can watch birds from a bird tower, an observation platform and walking trails. The site has recorded 650 of Sweden’s approximately 1,000 species of larger moths; the number may change as more observations are made. The waters south of the pier are suitable for windsurfing and kitesurfing, although seasonal restrictions may apply to protect wildlife. Beijershamn is accessible by car, bus and bicycle. If you plan to travel by bus, check the timetable in advance.

Hiking Trails by Length and Character

Mörbylångaleden is a hiking trail over 80 kilometres long, crossing natural and cultural landscapes between the Öland Tourist Information Centre at the bridgehead and Ottenby vandrarhem in Näsby. It is divided into five stages and marked with red wooden arrows. Between Penåsa and Skärlöv, an accessible section for wheelchair users follows an old railway embankment, with a firm gravel surface and a grass strip down the middle. Accessibility also depends on the surface and maintenance.

Stora Alvarleden is a 13-kilometre hiking trail across the alvar from Karlevi to Möckelmossen, and can also be cycled. Bergstigen is a six-kilometre cultural and historical nature trail through varied landscapes in Degerhamn, shaped by a 300-year-old stone industry. For a shorter loop, Eketorpsleden is another option: this circular trail starts at Eketorps borg and is 1.6 kilometres long. Trail surfaces and seasonal accessibility may change; check the latest route information before setting out.

The children’s trail in Penåsa is two kilometres long. Illustrated information boards, an ongoing story about the calf Sol-Blända and its friends, and QR codes accompany the route. The stops and the story give the trail its own distinctive narrative focus.

Archaeological Sites and Cultural Attractions

Eketorps borg is open to visitors who want to enter and explore the fortress. Guided tours and activities such as archery, breadmaking and traditional crafts are offered; the programme may vary by season. Eketorpsleden starts at the fortress, so you can combine your visit with a short walk. At Sandby borg, you can visit the site where the fortress stands. The surviving fortress wall is visible, but no traces of houses can currently be seen inside. From the designated car park, a 100-metre footpath runs south along the shore to the site.

Gettlinge gravfält lies on Öland’s western land ridge along Route 136 and offers views across the Kalmar Strait. The burial ground contains a stone ship setting, a pair of stone circles, standing stones and square stone settings. Karlevistenen is a Viking Age runestone with one of the longest inscriptions in the Nordic region. Resmo is home to one of Sweden’s oldest churches, built around the year 1100. Early medieval lime paintings can be found in the choir and apse; paintings from the late Middle Ages and the 17th century can also be seen on the nave walls.

You can explore the garden and park at Capellagården on your own all year round. During the season, Capellagården presents exhibitions of art, applied arts and crafts, and also offers workshops for children and adults. The Långe Jan lighthouse near Degerhamn dates back to 1785. Its viewing platform is reached by 197 steps; access to the top of the tower may be seasonal.

Discover more destinations: Degerhamn, Färjestaden, Mörbylånga, Grönhögen, Stenåsa, Vanserum, Vimmerby, Nybro

Back to the main travel overview: Kalmar.