Gullringen: Nature, Water and Railway History
Accommodation in Gullringen
In Gullringen, nature trails, water and local history appeal to different travel interests. The Sme-åna Nature Trail, the Dammen swimming area and the historic railway station each offer a specific starting point for planning your day.
Hiking between a circular trail and woodland
The Sme-åna Nature Trail is a well-marked, four-kilometre circular trail around Vervelån and the bathing pond. Along the route, you’ll find information boards, rest areas, bridges and signposts. Its length gives you a clearly defined route to plan around; the markings and signposts help you find your way along the loop. Rest areas offer a chance to take a break, while the information boards add points of interest along the way. Local trail conditions can change, so it’s worth checking the latest information before setting out.
Gullringsbygden has good woodland trails for hiking. The area lies in the northern part of Vimmerby Municipality; deep forests, glistening lakes and a vibrant rural landscape define it. The difference from the nature trail is in the format: the nature trail is a named, four-kilometre loop, while Gullringsbygden offers woodland trails in a rural landscape. If you like to follow a marked route, the nature trail gives you a specific distance to plan for; if woodland trails are more your focus, you can consider Gullringsbygden.
Dammen: Jetties and practical directions
At the Dammen swimming area, jetties extend 24 metres into the lake from a rock outcrop. The rock outcrop and jetties are distinctive features of the site, offering a different focus from a hike on the nature trail. To reach the swimming area, you can park at the Gullemons grusplan football grounds and then walk about 150 metres. Allow for this walk in your plans. Parking for the nature trail is at Gullemons Idrottsplats, Ålhultsvägen 30, 598 73 Gullringen; check the parking rules before you arrive. Water conditions and facilities at the swimming area can change, so it’s worth checking before your visit.
Railway history and local sights
The immediate reason for the establishment of the Gullringen settlement was the construction of the Östra Centralbanan railway around the turn of the 20th century. King Oscar II inaugurated Gullringen railway station on 8 June 1902. For anyone interested in the development of the town, this provides both a historical context and a precisely dated event.
Local sights include “lying hens” (liggande hönorna). Three smaller stones rest on a rock slab, supporting large boulders. Behind the Dammen swimming area are the Brännebro power station and a waterfall.
A variety of activities are often held at Gullringen’s library and craft house (Hantverkshus). As the programme may vary, it’s best to check in advance if a particular activity is important to your plans. This lets you weigh up your interests for the day, from nature trails and water to local history and activities at the craft house.
Discover more destinations: Pelarne, Södra Vi, Tuna, Vimmerby, Storebro, Solnehult
Go to the main travel overview: Vimmerby.
