Tranemo – Bogs, Hiking Trails and Glass History

Open cultural landscapes, barren bogs, deep mixed forests and numerous lakes define the landscape of Tranemo Municipality. Activities for visitors include fishing, hiking, cycling and paddling. Glassmaking and historic sights also give a trip a variety of themes.

Hiking: from short loops to the Jälmåleden

The Jälmåleden is a 35-kilometre hiking trail in Tranemo Municipality. You can combine hiking along it with paddling on the Jälmån. Sights along the trail include Viking Age burial grounds and ruins from the industrial era of the 19th century. The route combines exercise with insights into different periods of regional history.

A shorter option is the seven-kilometre Marjeboleden, an easy trail along Marjebosjön that can also be used with a pushchair. Information along the route covers historic sites such as iron production and Marie Monastery. The trail also passes a bathing spot and a barbecue area by the lake, with views across Marjebosjön.

The Hofsnäs nature trails comprise three easy circular routes between one and 4.8 kilometres long; the shortest is adapted for accessibility. The trails are located in Torpanäset Nature Reserve. Ancient oaks, grazing land and a rich variety of ground flora define the area, which provides a habitat for the endangered hermit beetle, listed on the Red List. The trails start at a car park in Tranemo Municipality. The nearest bus stop is in Länghem, about five kilometres from the trails.

The Björnöleden can also be described by its specific trail features: it is just over four kilometres long, starts at the car park at Mörkö and runs as a circular route, mostly on a boardwalk. Near Komosse, a boardwalk is widened over a stretch of about 300 metres and has a side guard to prevent strollers and wheelchairs from rolling off. The boardwalk leads to a platform with a fire pit and several benches adapted for accessibility.

Bogs, lakes and seasonal nature

Komosse södra comprises the bogs Bohestramossen, Johansjömossen and Fiskerydsmossen, on the border between Västergötland and Småland. The area is a Natura 2000 protected site jointly managed by Tranemo and Ulricehamn municipalities. The bogs are mostly treeless, with larger bog pools concentrated in the southern part of Johansjömossen.

At Yttre Åsunden in Tranemo Municipality, the Torpa–Hofsnäs area is home to numerous rare lichens, fungi and wood-dwelling insects listed on the Red List, which are mainly associated with ancient oaks. More than 130 bird species have been recorded around Torpasjön at Torpanäset. This offers a different nature experience from the open bogs, with ancient oaks, the communities they support and the birdlife around the lake taking centre stage.

In Fagerås, trails wind through the daffodil grounds. During the season, you can see more than a million daffodils in bloom; rhododendrons also begin flowering towards the end of May. Blooming periods vary, so check before your trip. Anglers can enjoy put-and-take rainbow trout fishing at Kroksjöns fiskecamp. The Malensjöarnas FVO fishing area includes Lille Malen, Stormalen and Mörkemalen. The lakes are surrounded by spruce and deciduous forest; fish species found there include pike, perch, zander, bream and eel.

Glass history and cultural visits

Glasets Hus is a cultural centre at Limmareds Glasbruk with a glassworks, glass museum, exhibition hall, event spaces, activity park and restaurant. Founded in 1740, the glassworks is Sweden’s oldest still-operating glassworks. At Glasets Hus, you can watch glassblowers at work or book a session to try glassblowing yourself. As a certified InfoPoint, the centre also provides advice on places to visit in the area, as well as brochures and maps.

At Torpa Stenhus, you can take a guided tour of the castle, see castle theatre performances and visit artisans. Facilities include a castle café and a restaurant serving dishes made with seasonal ingredients and inspired by the castle’s centuries-old hunting traditions; the menu often focuses on game.

Mossebo Church was completed by Joseph Hansson in 1773. Inside, you can see pictorial depictions of biblical stories and an original portrait of Hansson. It is also home to one of the few surviving chandeliers from Limmareds Glasbruk, made in 1855. There is a ramp on the south side of the church and an accessible toilet by the car park.

More options for your trip

You can ride rail bikes on the former Landeryd–Falköping railway line between Ambjörnarp and Sjötofta. Together with the hiking trails, activities on the water and cultural attractions, this offers a range of different types of outings.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ambjörnarp, Dalstorp, Grimsås, Ljungsarp, Länghem, Nittorp, Sjötofta, Tranemo, Uddebo, Limmared, Mörkhult.

Go to the main travel guide: Västra Götaland.