Åtvidaberg: Industrial History, Trails and Bysjön

Åtvidaberg combines a rich industrial history with trails through the town and activities at Bysjön. This gives you a choice of different focuses when planning your trip: historic buildings and technical collections, shorter or longer trails, and excursions on the water. The oak landscape and individual natural areas also shape the surrounding area.

Industrial history and buildings

The houses on Verksgatan were built between 1777 and 1792 by Åtvidabergs Kopparbruk as workers’ housing. They add the living conditions of the employees of the time to the picture of industrial history. The ÅSSA industrial and automobile museum in central Åtvidaberg focuses on technical inventions, classic vehicles and local industrial history. Exhibits include cars and hot-bulb engines, as well as lubrication systems, signalling equipment, railway points, and historic typewriters and calculating machines. Åtvidaberg’s school museum is located in the same premises as the ÅSSA Museum. Kulturcentrum is in the industrial heritage districts and includes, among other things, a museum and an exhibition hall.

Individual buildings also tell the story of the town. Villan stands on the shore of Bysjön in Åtvidaberg; the building is q-marked and surrounded by a garden. The Solkanon is an unusual sundial housed in a tower built in the mid-19th century as part of the English park at Adelsnäs. Åtvidaberg is home to the world’s only functioning Solkanon. A visit therefore takes in both the history of the tower and the sundial’s special function.

Trails through the town and landscape

Valuable parts of the nationally significant oak landscape lie within Åtvidaberg’s built-up area. The Åtvidsnäs nature reserve is also just beside Åtvidaberg, with grazed pastures, deciduous tree groves and old oaks. These two landscape settings complement visits to the town with different impressions: the oak landscape extends into the built-up area, while Åtvidsnäs is described as a neighbouring protected area.

For a shorter walk, consider the Ekwandring: it is about 1.5 kilometres long and has five information boards. The Hälsans stig walking trail is considerably longer at around seven kilometres and starts at Gamla Torget. The different lengths can help you choose a suitable time frame without needing to assume a walking time. The Östgötaleden runs through the municipality north of Kisavägen and is marked in orange.

The Falerum–Åtvidaberg section of the Östgötaleden ends at Edbergafältet in Åtvidaberg, after Bysjön. From there, it is about 1.8 kilometres on foot to Åtvidabergs resecentrum for rail or bus travellers. Edbergafältet is recommended as the starting point for the Bysjön runt circuit; there are parking spaces, a bathing area and a toilet there. This means the end of the section and the recommended starting point can both be associated with the same location, while the circuit offers another option for planning your excursion.

Around Bysjön and getting around town

The E/S Vågspelet music boat offers guided tours on Bysjön from Tornbryggan, with views of Åtvidaberg from the lake. The trips are seasonal, so check operating dates before your trip. The Solkanonklubben at Bysjön rents sturdy canoes for shorter trips of a few hours or longer day trips. This service is also seasonal; check availability before travelling. The main difference between the boat tour and canoeing is that one is guided, while canoeing is offered for different durations.

Other trails have their own distinctive features: Almrundan passes artworks and high stumps; information about the artists and audio content are available at the stops. Harmoni­rundan follows illuminated paths in Åtvidaberg and Grebo. Signs guide you through simple exercises for relaxation and wellbeing. If you are looking for an activity in town, Humpa Discgolfpark is within walking or cycling distance of the town centre.

Bysjöbadet is also within Åtvidaberg’s built-up area, near the Solkanon. The bathing area is adapted for accessibility; parking is close by. Check seasonal offerings before your visit. The adventure golf course has twelve holes, including three with an Åtvidaberg theme. It is seasonal, so check operating dates before your trip. Together with the trails, museums and activities on the water, Åtvidaberg offers several different options to help you plan your trip.

Discover more destinations: Falerum

Go to the main travel overview: Åtvidaberg.