Discover Askersund: Culture, Nature and Waterfront Trails

Askersund offers a range of ways to enjoy a stay: historic churches and buildings, art and events, as well as trails by the water and in green spaces. The municipal Stadsparken Nature Reserve lies in a wooded area near the town centre and is closely connected to Lake Alsen. The waterfront promenade starts at the harbour and crosses a pedestrian bridge to the island of Borgmästareholmen.

Nature and waterfront trails

A 1.4-kilometre accessible loop runs through the Stadsparken Nature Reserve. Five geocaches are also hidden there. If you would like to combine a walk with a treasure hunt, you can enjoy both in the same nature reserve.

Borgmästareholmen has a walking area with a small playground and barbecue spot. The island also has a bathing area with shallow water and a sandy beach in a small bay. You can combine the walk across the pedestrian bridge with time by the water; bathing conditions and seasonal facilities may vary.

Askersund’s hembygdsgård is another place to go for a walk: this site on the edge of town is open year-round as a walking area and offers views of Lake Alsen. In summer, there is a mini zoo with sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and rabbits. During this season, the Minitåget train runs from the harbour to the hembygdsgård; service may depend on the weather and season.

Hagabadet, a municipal bathing area with jetties, a sandy beach, changing rooms and toilets, is close to the central neighbourhoods. As facilities may change, it is a good idea to check their status before visiting.

Churches and historic sites

Sofia Magdalena Church was built between 1778 and 1780 after an older wooden church was destroyed in a town fire. Some Rococo features have been preserved. Landskyrkan, at the southern entrance to Askersund, was completed in 1670 and is considered an example of the monumental architecture of Sweden’s Age of Greatness. The two churches therefore illustrate different historical periods of construction.

Askersund’s hembygdsgård was inaugurated in 1933. Several historic buildings relocated there from the surrounding area form the heart of the site. To learn more about the town’s history, Olle Widell has been leading groups on historical walks through Askersund since 2007. The walks explore what the town looked like in the 16th and 17th centuries and how people lived at the time.

Art, events and leisure

Askersunds konsthall hosts exhibitions on a wide range of themes throughout the year. Kulturhuset Sjöängen holds numerous events over the course of the year, and current films are shown in the Great Hall. Cinema tickets are available online in advance or at the box office by the entrance. Programmes and ticket options may change, so check the latest dates before planning a visit.

You can also encounter art in public spaces: the sculpture group “Insikt – Utsikt”, south of Kulturhuset Sjöängen, is designed so that its components can be used as play areas or seats. In Strandparken stands “Hemfärd”, a 110-centimetre-tall bronze sculpture. It depicts a Råbock, a type of boat that once sailed on Lake Vättern. The work was completed in 1996 and moved from the harbour to Strandparken in autumn 2022.

There is also a skate and bike park with various ramps along the waterfront promenade, next to Kulturhuset Sjöängen. As the condition and availability of the facility may change, it is worth checking before your visit. The Antikmarknad, held regularly, has around 140 exhibitors and market stalls stretching for about one kilometre. The number of exhibitors and event dates may vary; if you are planning your trip around it, check the event dates.

Paddling and trips on the water

The “Vildmarken runt udden” route is suitable for canoes and kayaks and takes approximately one hour. It starts at the kayak jetty on Borgmästareholmen, passes the shoreline by Kulturhuset Sjöängen and continues to Djupviken at Edö. The approximate duration is useful for planning, but is not an exact time.

Another option is the “Dohnaforsån – Bäversafari” paddling route. It can start at Borgmästareholmen or Husabergsudde and follows the Dohnaforsån towards Lindbomossen. There are good chances of getting close to wildlife there, although encounters naturally vary. The waters at Alsen, the northern inlet of Lake Vättern near Askersund, are also used for peaceful paddling trips.

With “Trulsan & Pricken”, groups can travel to islands in the archipelago of northern Lake Vättern to swim, barbecue or go for a walk. The Trulsan boat can be hired by groups of up to twelve people; confirm availability in advance. At Askersund harbour, there is also a hoist that can lift people with reduced mobility into or out of a boat. If you need to use it, confirm its availability before you arrive.

Discover more destinations: Zinkgruvan, Mariedamm, Aspabruk, Åsbro, Åmmeberg, Olshammar, Hammar, Motala.

For the main travel overview: Askersund.