Boxholm between lakes, forests and hiking trails
Accommodation in Boxholm
Boxholm combines Sommen’s sparkling, legendary archipelago of inland lake skerries with vast forests, marshes and species-rich, stony meadows and pastures. Lakes and waterways offer opportunities for fishing and swimming. The municipality’s nature guide introduces 50 of its most beautiful natural areas with descriptions, photos, maps and route directions.
Hiking between forest and water
In the Göstrings urskog nature reserve, ancient trees, hilly terrain and well-marked trails shape the landscape. From the car park, a marked two-kilometre circular trail leads through the area. From there, you can also reach a small, equipped barbecue area by Lake Trehörningen. The Östgötaleden trail passes directly through the reserve.
The Boxholm–Blåvik section of the Östgötaleden is 23.4 kilometres long, is considered easy and offers opportunities to swim along the way. South of Boxholm, the route follows the Svartån; near Börshult, it passes through beautiful pastures. From Klevaberget, you can look out over the surrounding forests and Lake Kleven. On the Boxholm–Strålsnäs section, the Östgötaleden crosses the Lillån twice; near Strömmen, there is a shelter with a fire pit in the forest. There is also a shelter with a fire pit on the Strålsnäs–Bleckenstad section, at Uvberget after about four kilometres. There, the Svartån offers a scenic spot to take a break.
On the Boxholm–Trehörna section, a 650-metre detour leads to the remains of the medieval castle of Mosseboborg. Trehörna also has two shelters where you can stay overnight: a small one by the local heritage centre and a large one at Trehörnabadet.
Nature reserves and activities by the water
The LillĂĄn nature reserve protects and strengthens particularly valuable aquatic habitats. It has exceptionally high natural value and includes rare terrestrial and aquatic biotopes as well as several species worthy of protection. Animals found there include trout, freshwater pearl mussels, pearl mussels and otters.
The Idebo nature reserve provides habitats for woodpeckers, insects, mosses, lichens and fungi. From Björkbacken, you can follow a forest path on foot towards Bockudden. There, a deep rock fissure lies surrounded by heights rising up to 80 metres above Lake Sommen. At the Idebo steamboat landing, there is a car park for five cars and a picnic table. In summer, the steamboat S/S Boxholm II provides a connection to and from the landing. Check the timetable and information about the facilities in advance.
Canoeing and cycling are also among the activities available in the municipality: canoe routes follow natural waterways, and you can cycle around Lake Sommen. Municipal maps show canoe routes on the SvartĂĄn water system and on the Kinda Canal and StĂĄngĂĄn. The joint Sommen 365 initiative by Boxholm, Ydre and TranĂĄs brings together nature experiences on one map, including hiking, cycling, swimming spots, fishing and nature reserves.
Museum, archaeological traces and churches
The Boxholms Bruksmuseum is housed in an old mill building dating from 1777, the oldest building in Boxholm. The exhibition presents the history and development of the town with objects from its ironworks era, films and guided tours. Archaeological sites also tell the story of how the landscape has been used: more than 800 known sites are recorded in the municipality. Traces from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages date from around 10,000 BC to AD 1050; later periods are represented, among other things, by forestry, ironworks environments and croft settlements.
Ekeby Church dates from the Middle Ages, possibly from the 13th century. Its original fieldstone nave walls are incorporated into the present nave. The church also contains a Romanesque sandstone font from the Arcadius group and a 14th-century triumphal cross. Åsbo Church is believed to date from the 13th century; in the nave and chancel, the rib vaults feature band and plant motifs. In Rinna, the altarpiece depicts the Ascension, painted by Pehr Hörberg. Rinna Church and cemetery lie between Lake Rinnasjön and the open Rinnaslätten plain. In Malexander, the church and cemetery stand on raised ground by the shore of Lake Sommen; a will written in 1345 suggests that there was probably already a church there at the time. Blåvik Church and cemetery offer views of the waters of Lake Sommen.
Getting here and choosing where to stay
Boxholm is served by the Östgötapendel commuter train. For the Boxholm–Blåvik section, suitable parking is available at Boxholm Travel Centre and by Blåvik Church. At Bleckenstad, on road 32, there are bus connections to Mjölby and Boxholm; Strålsnäs also has bus connections to both towns. If you would like to spend your days hiking, observing nature or exploring cultural history, the trails, reserves and churches described here offer different starting points for planning your trip.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Boxholm, Blåvik, Valdemarsvik, Sanktanna, Ödeshög, Ydre, Norrköping, Motala.
Back to the broader travel guide: Östergötland.
