Lerum: Hiking, Nature and Industrial Heritage

The Lerådalen Nature Reserve covers a large part of the Lerån Valley in the open agricultural landscape between Lerum and Stenkullen. You can reach it on foot or by bicycle via the cycle path between Lerum and Gråbo. Marked trails, information boards and an information brochure help you find your way around the area.

Hiking trails with different profiles

For a walk through the landscape, Flodaleden offers a 10-kilometre route between Lerum and Floda. The trail crosses two hills, which offer views across the landscape. The Lerum–Floda section of Gotaleden starts in the centre of Lerum; stages 5 to 7 of the long-distance trail run through Lerum Municipality. Lerum station is about 20 minutes from central Gothenburg by train or car.

In Härskogen, you can choose from three trails based on their length and terrain. Tre Knallar is three kilometres long, hilly and passes over the elevations of Kokullen, Meteberget and Höga kullen. The Lilla Härsjörundan is nine kilometres long and runs along gravel paths or gravel roads. The 13.5-kilometre Stora Härsjörundan is described as running mostly along roads and easy-to-walk paths; in some places, roots and stones lie across the trail. The nature reserve is situated by Stora and Lilla Härsjön, on the border between the municipalities of Lerum and Härryda.

Skallsjöleden connects Stenkullen and Floda via Skallsjö hembygdsgård and is a three- to four-hour walk through prehistoric sites. Along the route are remains from the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Middle Ages. Another trail through the Säveån Nature Reserve is about five kilometres long and accessible from Floda and Stenkullen stations. In this protected area, there are opportunities along Skallsjöleden to spot dippers, grey wagtails and, occasionally, beavers.

Industrial history and cultural heritage

In Stenkullen, Hillefors grynkvarn brings together the history of technology and a preserved historic building: the water-powered oat mill is also a museum dedicated to working and industrial history. Guided tours can be booked. Kvarndagar takes place every year in spring, and Kulturarvsdagar in autumn. In Tollered, industrial facilities dating from the 1830s onwards and the associated housing tell the story of one of Sweden’s best-preserved early industrial environments. Tollereds Öfvre Kraftstation is a preserved museum dedicated to the history of hydropower. Visits are possible for groups with bookings and on special tour days; check the visiting dates in advance.

Nääs also offers several ways to explore cultural history: guided tours, courses in crafts and related fields, and exhibitions at the Centre for Building Preservation. Nääs is one of Sweden’s largest architectural heritage sites and has an associated nature reserve. If you enjoy combining culture and nature, Nääs Ekhagar has walking trails, several swimming spots and the Nääsbadet beach area. The protected area between Floda and Nääs includes ancient oaks, open grazing land and deciduous forests. The fauna of the old, large oaks is considered unique by European standards.

Enjoy nature and plan your stay

In the Härskogen Nature Reserve, coniferous forests meet oak-dominated deciduous woodland by Stora Härsjön. The deciduous forests have a natural structure, plenty of deadwood and older deciduous trees. For a swimming break, Aspens badplats is in western Lerum, by Lake Aspen. It has a concrete jetty, a floating jetty with a diving tower, and a grass and sandy beach. The facilities also include a barbecue area, waste bins and a dry toilet.

With Växtrum, you can discover eleven mini parks or meeting places in the centre of Lerum: they are free to visit and open at all times. The event series also includes Perennfesten, held in mid-September, when around twenty horticultural businesses and other plant companies gather for a festival and market. Check the specific event dates before visiting.

Your plans for outings can be a good starting point when choosing a hotel in Lerum. If you want to hike, compare the trails mentioned based on their length, surface and starting points. For cultural experiences, consider the bookable guided tours at Hillefors and the offerings at Nääs; if visiting the power station, take note of the special tour days. This way, you can tailor your accommodation search to the experiences you want to make the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Gråbo, Björboholm, Floda, Jonsered, Sjövik, Lerum, Tollered, Öjersjö, Stenkullen

Back to the main travel overview: Västra Götaland.