Finspång: Hiking Trails, Lakes and Industrial History
Accommodation in Finspång
A cultural history walk of about ten kilometres starts at the tourist information office in Kulturhuset and offers insights into local history from the 17th to the 20th century. Nature experiences and traces of industrial history also meet on paths through forests and along lakes in Finspång. The length, landscape and topics described along the way can all help you decide which route suits your stay.
Comparing Hiking Trails and Routes
Mäselnleden is a circular trail of about five kilometres around Lake Mäseln. The landscape changes between reed-lined bays and rocky shores, ravines, areas resembling old-growth forest, open pastures and deciduous woodland dominated by oak. There are parking spaces and toilets at Mäselnbadet. If you are planning a longer route, the Östgötaleden has sections of varying lengths: the stretch between Regna kyrka and Älgsjön is about eleven kilometres and can be covered on foot or by bicycle. At the end, there is a bathing spot by the clear, gently sloping Lake Älgsjön.
The 23-kilometre section between Rejmyre and Regna kyrka is also part of the Östgötaleden. The route offers beautiful views near Lake Långtvaren. Another 16-kilometre section of the trail runs between Falnäset and Rejmyre and is well suited to cycling. At places such as Skogstorp and Gommersnäs, cyclists may need to push their bikes for about 500 to 1,200 metres. Bear this possible interruption in mind when planning a cycling trip.
Shorter routes also differ considerably in landscape and theme. In the Brevens tallskogar nature reserve, a three-kilometre hiking trail passes through open pine forests, marshes and lakes. Hällestad-Torps offers 2.7 kilometres of old mixed coniferous forest by Lake Lyren, as well as a barbecue area. In the Lövfallet nature reserve, a trail of about 1.5 kilometres passes through old spruce and pine stands, dry rocky areas, damp ravine forest and stands of aspen.
In Regnaholm, a two-kilometre trail runs through deciduous woodland dominated by beech and aspen along Lake Regnaren; picnic tables are available there. The Sätra nature reserve combines a 1.5-kilometre hiking trail with information about local geology, significant minerals and old trees. Tjuttorps has two trails, about 1.3 and two kilometres long, through deciduous woodland. Barbecuing outdoors is possible on the headland. The lengths make it easy to compare the routes, while the landscapes and features described offer another guide to choosing one.
Lakes, Paddling and Nature Watching
The canoe routes in Finspång connect lakes via streams and waterways. There are designated rest areas and wind shelters along the routes. Fishing is another feature of this lake-rich municipality: visitors can fish for pike and perch, as well as stocked rainbow trout and trout, in its 368 lakes. For swimming trips, the municipality has 15 municipal and three non-municipal bathing spots. There is also a playground with water features among the facilities mentioned.
A nature trail in Vibjörnsparken features information boards, nesting boxes, carved wooden animals and an alternative route. By Lake Bönnern, northwest of the main town, an accessibility-adapted nature trail runs along the water. Information boards and an audio guide in Swedish, English and Arabic accompany the trail. These offer different ways to explore nature: a path with specially designed learning stations in the park, and an accessibility-adapted trail by the water with information in several languages.
Glass, Mining and Industrial History
Reijmyre Glasbruk was founded in 1810 and continues to make hand-blown glass in its historic glassworks. Guided tours explain the glassworks’ history and the production process. Visitors can also try glassblowing at the furnace alongside experienced glassblowers. The glass museum next to the factory shop and glassworks displays historic glass, as well as a carriage from the time when the cableway was in operation. History, production and the objects on display each provide a distinct focus here.
Mining trails also bring industrial history to life. Hällestads Storgruva is a circular route of about one kilometre around a former iron ore mine, which reached its heyday in the 17th century. Visitors can find stones containing iron ore and other interesting minerals there. Gruvleden starts in Grytgöl, is about twelve kilometres long and passes through a mining area with stops such as Jungfrugruvan and Hållersgruvan. Häfla hammarsmedja at Häfla ström is an industrial heritage site between Lakes Regnaren and Vagnaren. Its industrial complex was in operation until 1924 and consists of a hammer forge with a small ironworks. Smedjans dag there is an annual event held in August; check the specific event dates if you would like to include it in your travel plans.
More Cultural Attractions
Finspång’s castle park was laid out in the 18th century and is open to the public all year round. The buildings mentioned there include the Aurora Temple, Järntemplet, the Lugnet summerhouse and an orangery dating from 1831. The turbine museum in the Orangeriet displays De Laval’s and the Ljungström brothers’ first order books, as well as very well-preserved early turbine sketches from the late 19th century.
Risinge gamla kyrka was declared a listed state building in 2019. In summer, services, baptisms and weddings are held there through Finspångs församling. Together with its trails, lakes and historic sites, Finspång is a destination where you can tailor the balance of nature and cultural attractions to your own interests during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Rejmyre, Finspång, Hällestad, Regna, Skedevi, Risinge, Ljusfallshammar, Grytgöl.
For the overall travel guide: Östergötland.
