Högsby: Nature, Bodies of Water and Culture

The municipality of Högsby is characterized by a predominantly forested landscape interconnected by lakes and waterways; there is also cultivated land. For direct navigation to the localities, links lead to Fågelfors, Grönskåra, Berga, Högsby, Ruda, Fagerhult and Fågelfors.

Nature and Bodies of Water

In the Kyllen nature reserve, forests and wetlands come together. Earlier fires have promoted biodiversity there and created deadwood. The reserve has an information board and a parking lot and is located about six kilometers northeast of Högsby.

Allgunnen is one of the few large unregulated lakes in southern Sweden and, together with the Alsterån, forms rich aquatic habitats. Ospreys, white-tailed eagles and black-throated divers breed in the lake; the surrounding area also provides habitat for capercaillies.

Ryningen is considered one of the most bird-rich wetlands in southern Sweden. The area covers about 300 hectares and has two birdwatching towers and a birdwatching platform. The Högsby Nature Guide contains photographs and maps and presents 20 selected natural areas.

Trails and Activities

Högsbyleden is a longer, easy-to-walk hiking trail that passes through the entire Hornsö Eco Park and many scenic locations. Jonas Stolts kyrkväg is ten kilometers long and follows the historic route from Stenkullen in Basebo to Högsby kyrka. Several information boards stand along the trail; Torp Persdal is designated there as a particularly suitable picnic spot.

The Emån offers both calm, natural stretches and wild rapids; both are suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers. With a tourist fishing license, you can fish for one or two weeks in 27 lakes and running waters.

Aboda Klint offers a viewpoint with far-reaching views, as well as opportunities for hiking and swimming in Lake Kleven. There are also two clearly marked hiking trails.

Lanhagen has an open-air museum, disc golf, table tennis, boules, barbecue areas, the one-kilometer-long Harmonirunda with twelve boards along the Emån, and an obstacle course for children. Trollbergsrundan is a two-kilometer activity trail in Högsby with twelve boards and exercises for children and adults; it is located by the scout cabin at Trollberget.

Culture and History

Högsby kyrka is centrally located in Högsby on the Emån. The church contains two late-medieval altarpieces and a runestone dated to the 1050s. Its nave and sacristy reflect ecclesiastical architectural culture from the Middle Ages through the late 18th century.

Skälsbäck school museum preserves two fully furnished classrooms with school desks from an entire century. Exhibition information is available in English and German.

Parts of the collections of Högsby Sockens Hembygdsförening are exhibited at Hornsberg. It also houses archival material for genealogical and local-history research.

The Greta Garbo Museum in Högsby displayed photographs, films, personal belongings and other materials from Greta Garbo's life and film career. Garbosällskapet in Högsby also created a Garbo “Tittskåp”, a miniature exhibition in the Galleria in Högsby. After the lease was terminated, the Greta Garbo Museum in Högsby faced the loss of its premises and relocation.

Food and Drink

Höjdens Mejeri & Gårdsbutik produces handmade cow's and goat's cheese as well as sourdough bread, and operates its own farm shop. Kickis Matvandring combines a guided walk through the landscape with locally grown and processed foods served during the experience.

Local Connections

Värdshuset Emågården is located in the center of Högsby, about 100 meters from the travel center; from there, direct train connections operate to destinations including Kalmar and Stockholm.

To the overview of destinations: Kalmar.

More Destinations

More places at the same destination:

Nybro.