Flen: Nature Trails, Culture and Railway History

Different interests may shape a stay in Flen: trails through bogs and wetlands, hiking routes, railway history or culture. The places and activities differ not only in theme, but also in route length and focus.

Trails through bogs and wetlands

At Hammartorpsmossen, a boardwalk crosses a treeless, nutrient-poor bog. The loop is about 1.3 kilometres long. The Municipality of Flen restored the wetland landscape to help reduce the impact on the climate, support biodiversity and provide opportunities for recreation. The landscape and trail are therefore closely connected to the recreational purpose of the restored wetland.

The Sörmlandsleden also offers views of wet landscapes: a 100-metre boardwalk crosses a stream and marshy terrain. The trail also heads towards Lake Orrhammaren, where there are places to swim. For a longer route, there is a connecting trail of about 20 kilometres from Flen to Hälleforsnäs.

The Orrestaö peninsula lies on Lake Orrhammaren and has two bathing spots. At Orrestaö, you can rent canoes, stand-up paddleboards and life jackets directly from the restaurant; rentals are seasonal. So if you are planning a stay by the water, it is worth checking the seasonal availability of rentals in advance.

Railway history, church and culture

The railway shaped Flen’s development in the 19th century: as the network expanded, Flen became one of the country’s most important railway hubs. The Västra stambanan was completed in 1862, and the intersecting Grängesberg–Eskilstuna–Flen–Oxelösund line in 1877. Flen railway station dates from 1892. Its platform canopy is listed in Sweden’s national register of state-owned historic buildings.

In Flen Church, the so-called “gubbvalv” stands out: the shape of the vault ribs forms grotesque figures. The church’s furnishings also include two baptismal fonts from the 12th century. Another cultural history destination is Thuleparken heritage park, on the highest point in Flen, in the centre of town. The park is a museum with buildings from farms in the surrounding area; it also displays collections of tools used in earlier times. Midsummer, Homecoming Day, the Glass and Jazz Festival, and a Christmas market are celebrated at Thuleparken.

Public art is another cultural point of interest. The sculpture walk in Flen includes “Tonåring,” installed at Centralplan in 1965. The aluminium sculpture “Vertikal strävan,” with a fountain and pool, was installed on 15 September 1976. The Culture and Literature Festival is also held annually in Flen. It is a joint event organised by the Cultural Unit, the library and the School of Culture, in collaboration with Litteraturutveckling Sörmland and NBV.

Leisure activities and getting there

For activities, you can visit Fritidsbanken in Flen, which lends reused sports and leisure equipment free of charge for two weeks. Flen’s swimming pool has a 25-metre pool with six lanes; a staircase makes the pool easier to access. It is a good idea to check the latest information about the pool before your visit. The Sagabiografen shows current films, and cinema tickets can be booked on its website. The golf club bistro in Flen serves light lunches with a view of the lake.

According to the local tourist information office, you can reach Flen from Stockholm, Norrköping and Eskilstuna by train in under an hour. Check the timetable before departure. This allows you to plan your journey and the activities that matter to you as separate steps, from a bog trail to cultural activities or a visit by the water.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Bettna, Malmköping, Sparreholm, Flen, Mellösa, Hälleforsnäs, Enstaberga, Gnesta.

Go to the main travel overview: Södermanland.