Mjölby: Hiking Trails, Nature and Culture

Mjölby combines trails along the Svartån with nature reserves and a varied local history. Those planning a stay will find a range of themes for their trip: shorter walks in the area close to town, longer hikes and cultural sites spanning everything from medieval traces to contemporary art.

Hiking between Town and Countryside

The Östgötaleden offers both walks close to town and longer excursions through a cultural and forest landscape in Mjölby. In the municipality, the trail passes through woodland and pastureland. The sections in Mjölby are accessible by public transport. Another option is Hälsans stig: this 4.5-kilometre circular trail runs along the Svartån through Mjölby and natural areas close to town.

For a hike with a nature reserve as its destination, an 8.2-kilometre route leads from Mjölby station via the Östgötaleden to Örbackens kalkkärr. Along the way, you pass the Skogssjöområdet Nature Reserve. The route lengths offer different options for planning: Hälsans stig is described as a circular trail, while the route to Örbacken is a hike from the station to the reserve.

At Örbackens kalkkärr, a marked circular trail passes through pastureland and the limestone fen; wooden boardwalks cross wet sections. The area is designated as a Natura 2000 site. In Stora Haddebo Nature Reserve, spruce forest, lichen-covered rocky knolls, swampy woodland and an open bog come together. The reserve is also home to forest birds, including capercaillie.

Traces of the Ice Age and Rare Plants

Skogssjöområdet is a very hilly landscape shaped by the melting of the inland ice sheet 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. One of the depressions formed at that time is now Lake Skogssjön. The plant life also makes the area noteworthy: the rare yellow-flowered legume luddvedel grows here, and on mainland Sweden it is known from only five other locations. The route from Mjölby to Örbacken thus combines a hike with a passage through an Ice Age-shaped landscape.

Art and History in Mjölby

You can also encounter various forms of art in the townscape. The mural Avis metaphora by Carolina Falkholt is located at Lagmanshallen and dates from 2025. It depicts several birds and a judge’s gavel. The gavel refers to the name Lagmanshallen and to the meaning of “lagman” as judge. On the façade of Galleria Kvarnen on Kungsvägen, you can see Bilder av Mjölby: a spray-paint artwork by Adrian Pettersson from 2022 depicting well-known local landmarks.

An artwork by the artist Judith de Leeuw on the Kvarnen building near the main railway station shows a person sitting on a unicorn above a pile of rubbish. The work also includes an augmented reality component. Different approaches are represented side by side: murals in public spaces and a work whose viewing experience is enhanced by a digital layer.

The town’s history can also be traced at Mjölby kyrka. It was originally built in the early Middle Ages; parts of the medieval tower have survived. The old church was destroyed in a major fire in 1771, and the present-day Mjölby kyrka was consecrated in 1779. Mjölby Hembygdsgård is located on an island in the Svartån. Its buildings and collections tell the story of the town from the 18th century to the present day. Mjölby itself developed from a mill village into a town.

Cultural Events and Practical Information

The Mjölby Konstrunda takes place every year in August. The Mjölby hembygdsförening also holds several annual events, including Midsummer celebrations and a Christmas market. If your stay depends on specific events, it is a good idea to check the dates before travelling.

Mjölby Kulturscen is a concert and theatre venue at Lagmansskolan, near the travel centre. The visitor address is Lagmansgatan 34. The auditorium has three wheelchair spaces; one of them has a very restricted view. A lift connects the auditorium to the stage, and a hearing loop is also available. These specific details may be helpful when planning a visit.

Mjölby is accessible by rail and via the nearby E4. Those who want to focus their stay on activities can also include Lundbybadet alongside the hiking trails: its indoor pool is 25 metres long and intended for swimming, play, exercise and training. Canoes can also be rented there for paddling on the Svartån; check availability before your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Hogstad, Mjölby, Skänninge, Väderstad, Mantorp, Boxholm, Finspång, Ödeshög.

Return to the main travel overview: Östergötland.