Torsås between coast, nature and crafts

A glacial ridge, expansive coastal meadows and a small archipelago landscape define the Örarevet Nature Reserve. There are also distinctive juniper heaths, barren pebble beaches and a municipal sandy beach. Visitors choosing Torsås for a stay will find forests, trails and a distinctive craft tradition alongside the coastal landscape.

Nature reserves and trails by the water

Örarevet is two kilometres long and known for its diverse birdlife. Around 40 bird species live there more or less permanently. A trail runs along the entire reef from the car park, with four rest and barbecue areas along the way. The first section of the trail has a gravel surface and is designed to be accessible.

The Strömby Nature Reserve offers a different kind of woodland landscape: older coniferous forest, dominated by spruce, while the oldest pines are around 200 years old. Deadwood and limited impact from modern forestry support a diverse range of animal and plant life, including many rare species. In the Ödet nature area, walking trails and boardwalks lead through wetlands and oak woodland. A viewing tower is intended for birdwatching, and there are also barbecue areas. The “Vattnets väsen” audio walk takes about 30 to 45 minutes and is suitable for children aged four and up.

Plan your hike or bike ride

The 144-kilometre Torsåsleden is a circular trail with rest stops and places to stay overnight. Since you can start the hike at several points, you can plan your route around your preferred starting point. The section of the Kalmarsundsleden in Torsås is about 25 kilometres long and is considered an easy coastal route. The trail runs from Kalmar to the border with Blekinge.

For cycling, the approximately 100-kilometre Slöjdleden runs between the coast and the inland, passing through forests and meadows, and by stone walls and traditional fences. The roughly 30-kilometre Dackeleden is both a hiking and cycling route, following in the footsteps of freedom fighter Nils Dacke. You can also take a journey through time using the Torsås app. The Skeppeleden is also divided into stages: the short loop is 10 kilometres, the medium loop 15, and the long loop 28 kilometres; the long route reaches Bröms.

A shorter training loop is Slingan in Torsås: it is just over 1.3 kilometres long, lit and surfaced with wood chips. Nearby are a large gravel area, suitable for activities such as football, and a boules court with seating. If you would rather be out on the water, you can plan a canoe or kayak route along the coast between Bergkvara and the Örarevet Nature Reserve. It passes notable seal habitats and Djursvik. Örarevet has a jetty, barbecue areas and sandy beaches; check the water conditions and your equipment before setting off.

Activities and excursions

The Sahara Aktivitetsområde in Torsås combines an athletics facility with tennis and padel courts, a beach volleyball court, a climbing wall, a friendship swing, and interactive play and exercise equipment. The tennis and padel courts cannot be booked and are intended for spontaneous play. At Kanaberg, huge boulders left behind by the Ice Age offer places to climb and crawl between. A small barbecue area adds to the visit; assess the conditions on site.

The Sälsafari från Bergkvara departs from the small harbour in Bergkvara and lasts about an hour and a half. The island with the Garpen lighthouse is also accessible from there: the boat trip on the Gustav takes about 15 minutes. Operations depend on the weather and current booking arrangements; check the dates in advance. Nature TRIBE runs a tipi lunch café that is open year-round and serves wood-fired pizza, including a vegetarian option and a vegan version on request. Check the menu and opening arrangements before your visit.

Culture, history and crafts

At the harbour in Bergkvara, Bergkvara Konsthall in Kulturmagasinet presents exhibitions by professional artists. Bergkvara Sjöfartsmuseum is housed in a hundred-year-old harbour warehouse. The museum includes an intact ship’s smithy on nearby Dalaskär. The historical walk “I sjöfartens spår – Bergkvara” takes you to various sites connected with the history of seafaring. The Torsås app offers an informative audio guide for adults and older children.

The church in Torsås also has a long history of construction: the first church may have been a stave church built in the 12th century, replaced by a stone church in the 13th century. The current stone church was built between 1777 and 1780; walls from the medieval church were reused in the southwest. Arts and crafts have been made and sold in Torsås since the mid-19th century. Materials used include wood, birch bark, textiles, ceramics, woven materials and metal; there are several places to buy them.

If you would like to get creative yourself, Kus’ krukmakeri offers pottery, sculpture, ceramic firing and porcelain painting by prior arrangement. Ceramics are also sold there. You can also use the Torsås app to take a journey through time at Olssonska Gården and follow in the footsteps of the people who lived on the farm. Check the availability of app experiences and the dates for booked activities; exhibitions have their own visiting hours.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bergkvara, Gullabo, Söderåkra, Torsås, Nybro, Oskarshamn, Mörbylånga, Kalmar.

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