Lekeberg: Nature, Hiking Trails and Cultural History

Lekeberg stretches from the wooded slopes of the Kilsbergen hills to the plains around Fjugesta. If you are looking for a hotel, start by deciding what you want your stay to focus on: hiking, natural areas, swimming spots or cultural history. The municipality’s attractions offer a wide range of landscapes and themes.

Natural Areas and Forest Landscapes

The municipal Bergaskogen nature reserve lies near Fjugesta. It aims to ensure access to nature close to residential areas while preserving and developing biodiversity. Several trails run through the area, which also offers good opportunities for picking berries and mushrooms. Gökhults groddammar offers a different focus: the protected area preserves valuable habitats for frogs, toads and salamanders, while also promoting recreation close to residential areas.

At Limstensgruvorna, species-rich old-growth forest and a nutrient-rich fen meet spectacular mine shafts and chambers. They recall the historic small-scale limestone mining. The nature reserve lies north of the village of Tryggeboda and can be reached on foot via stage 13 of the Bergslagsleden.

Garphyttan National Park preserves an older cultural landscape surrounded by coniferous and mixed forest. Hiking trails pass through flowering areas and open meadows, as well as deciduous and coniferous forests. By contrast, deciduous forest, including broadleaf trees and hazel shrubs, characterizes the Vretalundsskogen nature reserve, which also has several trails. In the Lekeberga-Sälven area, deep ravines and meanders shape the landscape. The great crested newt lives in some of its oxbow lakes.

Hiking and Cycling

Three stages of the Bergslagsleden pass through Lekeberg. Along the stages, there are rest areas with shelters, fireplaces, supplies of firewood and toilets. One specific route is the 20.0-kilometre Lekhyttan–Sixtorp section. It is classified as red and leads through the hilly forest landscape of the Kilsbergen hills.

For a much shorter option, try Hälsans stig in Fjugesta: the trail is about 4 kilometres long and opened in September 2014. It follows an old railway embankment, passes through the centre and goes through scenic areas. Twelve activity signs offer physical exercises for children and adults. This gives you a route of about 4 kilometres in Fjugesta at one end of the scale and a 20.0-kilometre hike at the other—a concrete difference to consider when planning your route, without implying fixed walking times.

In the Lanna recreation area, a walking path runs around the limestone quarry, and there is also an MTB technical trail. Cycling routes in Lekeberg include Lekhytterundan, Risebergarundan and Matbyttan. On Matbyttan, the surface alternates between asphalt, gravel and trails.

Swimming Spots and Activities

Lekens sjöbad is a registered EU bathing site with a capacity of more than 200 bathers. Recreational fishing with a rod is permitted in Lake Leken, and no fishing licence is required. Sixtorp (Multen) is a bathing lake with a fine sandy bottom and a toilet.

In warm weather, Sannabadet offers water slides and swimming pools for all ages. Visitors can see animals at Hallagården animal park during the warmer months; the park also has, among other things, a pig train and a carousel. The municipality’s official visitor map also brings together information about farm shops, dining options, swimming spots, hiking trails and a canoe route.

Local Cultural History

Riseberga Abbey was founded in the late 12th century and was used by Cistercian nuns until the mid-16th century. Kvarngården in Mullhyttan is a local heritage farm in a historic setting. In the old village mill, a waterwheel and a pair of millstones power the mill machinery; the waterwheel has been in operation since the 18th century. Flour made from organically grown wheat and rye is milled there and sold in the small shop.

The municipality’s churches also tell different stories. The vault paintings in Knista Church depict several well-known scenes from the Bible and are dated to 1617. The old church in Hidinge is one of the smallest churches in Närke and has retained much of its medieval character. It was built in the 12th or early 13th century. Tångeråsa Church is among Sweden’s oldest and best-preserved medieval churches; after 700 years, it has undergone remarkably few changes.

The medieval church of Kräcktlinge is also in the municipality. If you would like to enter the church, contact the sexton. For a different perspective on contemporary production, visit Av jord in Vekhyttan, where the non-toxic paint Färg i påse is made. Customers mix it themselves from pigment powder, water, egg and linseed oil.

For events with specific dates, the municipality’s official visitor website has an events calendar. Check the latest listings if a particular date is important for your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Mullhyttan, Fjugesta, Lindesberg, Hällefors, Laxå, Nora, Karlskoga, Ljusnarsberg

For the main travel overview: Örebro.