Överum: Ironworks history and forest trails

Överum combines a distinctive history as an ironworks community with hiking trails through the forests and landscapes around Lake Holmsjön. Those who want to combine cultural history with active days on their trip will find various points of interest here: from Överum Church and Överum ironworks to trails along the Överumsån and the Holmsjöleden.

Ironworks history and Överum Church

Överum ironworks was founded in 1655 by the Walloon founders Abraham and Hubert de Besche and their brother-in-law Henrik de Trij. This early industrial history shapes the cultural-historical perspective on the town. Överum Church holds a special role: it was built in 1872 as an ironworks church and is the only church in Kalmar County built as an ironworks church. Visitors interested in regional history therefore have a clear thematic focus, without having to consider culture and nature separately.

Hiking by Lake Holmsjön and along the Överumsån

The Holmsjöleden is connected to stage 8 of the Tjustleden. Its starting point is on the outskirts of Överum, at a gravel area called Stenkrossen. The trail runs mostly through forest around Lake Holmsjön, west and southwest of Överum. This makes it possible to plan the route around a specific landscape, with the focus on forest, the lake surroundings and the connection to a longer hiking trail.

There is also a new hiking trail in the area along the Överumsån. The connecting trail between Överum and stage 8 of the Tjustleden passes through an old forest protected as a biotope before reaching Överum. For planning purposes, its route is particularly important: the first two kilometres are very hilly, while the trail becomes flatter near Överum. Along the Överumsån, visitors may spot grey wagtails, tufted ducks and white-throated dippers, among other birds. Nature enthusiasts can therefore combine the hike with birdwatching.

More activities for different days of your trip

In addition to hiking, Överum offers opportunities for winter and sporting activities. The ski slope in Överum has a child-friendly ski lift, lighting and a piste groomer. The run is 250 metres long and has an elevation difference of 47 metres.

Those who prefer climbing to downhill skiing will find climbing routes at Råsklippan for beginners and experienced climbers. Another documented activity site is Ryven in Överum, a bathing area in Västervik Municipality. When choosing accommodation in Överum, you can therefore consider different priorities for individual days of your trip: cultural history, hiking, winter sports, climbing or swimming.

Getting there and finding your way around the town

Road 35 runs through Överum and connects Linköping with Västervik. Trains on the Tjustbanan also stop at Överum station. The preserved station building is now privately owned. This provides concrete transport links and a historic local landmark for planning your trip. You can choose your accommodation based on your preferred focus without assuming any particular location or amenities at individual properties.

Other places for regional comparison

If you would like to compare Överum with other places in the same broader selection, you can also look at Ankarsrum, Hjorted, Blackstad, Loftahammar, Totebo, Gamleby, Blankaholm and Västervik. Överum itself is particularly suitable as a destination if you want to combine an understanding of its ironworks history with forest trails and several documented outdoor activities.

For the broader travel overview: Västervik.