Zinkgruvan: Mining History and Nature

Zinkgruvan offers two clear focuses for planning a trip: mining history and the Knalla nature reserve. The reserve lies directly south of the town, next to Knalla gruva and the Zinkgruvan Mining Museum. If you’re looking for a hotel in Zinkgruvan, you can plan your stay around a museum visit, a hike, or a longer excursion. The activities vary considerably in scope: the reserve has a marked circular trail of about 1.3 kilometers; Gruvrundan vid skärgården is 44 kilometers long.

Knalla: Ancient Forest and Hiking Trails

Knalla Nature Reserve is home to an ancient forest that has never been subject to modern forestry. The marked circular trail is about 1.3 kilometers long. Connections to the northeast and southwest lead to further hikes. You can focus on a clearly defined loop or plan additional walking routes. The forest offers a distinct natural highlight alongside the mining sites of Knalla gruva and the museum.

Mining History at the Museum

The Knalla gruva Mining Museum exhibits mining machinery, vehicles, clothing, and equipment; mineral and photographic exhibitions complement the collection. A large model shows the vast mine beneath visitors’ feet, highlighting the underground scale of mining. Knalla gruva is a living, open-air mining museum. Personal guided tours cover the history of mining, past and present. This offers several ways to explore the subject: through exhibits and exhibitions, as well as personal accounts of its history.

From a Circular Trail to a Longer Excursion

The difference between Knalla’s circular trail, about 1.3 kilometers long, and the 44-kilometer Gruvrundan vid skärgården provides a practical guide when choosing a route. The longer route runs on gravel and asphalt and follows the mining railway between Åmmeberg and Zinkgruvan. It is a varied day trip, bordered by nature reserves with a wide variety of natural habitats, as well as a rich cultural and historical offering. Several opportunities for interesting detours add to the tour. A short loop in the reserve and a full day on the longer route therefore differ both in scope and in the sights along the way. When choosing a route, the surface matters as well as the distance.

More Activities and an Annual Event

Zinkgruvan is home to one of the municipality’s two disc golf courses. As availability may change, check the latest information if you plan to make disc golf a fixed part of your stay. According to the event page for 2026, Run of Mine takes place once a year as an underground running event in Zinkgruvan. If the race is the reason for your trip, check the date for your chosen year before planning your stay.

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

Go to the main travel overview: Askersund.