Örkelljunga: Forests, Lakes and History

Örkelljunga offers forests, inland lakes, hilly terrain and heathland. The municipality of Örkelljunga includes the localities of Örkelljunga, Åsljunga and Skånes Fagerhult.

Nature

The Pinnån is part of the Rönne å river system. Around Abborrasjön, Abborraleden is an accessible recreation area in Örkelljunga. The circular trail around the lake is 1.2 kilometres long and fully illuminated. A marked walking and cycling connection leads from the centre of Örkelljunga to Abborraleden.

Pinnåreservatet is a natural area in the centre of Örkelljunga. It has circular trails measuring 4.3 kilometres, 1.6 kilometres and 0.5 kilometres; the shortest circular trail is accessible. Grytåsa presents a different type of landscape: the area is an old, grazed outer forest with Scots pines and Norway spruces growing at intervals. Its glacially shaped landscape features depressions and ridges.

Grytåsa Nature Reserve offers hiking trails, riding trails, shelters and picnic areas. Grytåsa also has two car parks, several picnic areas with fire pits, a toilet and a nearby shelter. The family-friendly Bäckaslingan runs through the nature reserve, a 3.2-kilometre circular trail through coniferous and mixed forest.

Värsjön is a specially protected Natura 2000 lake. It was selected because of its distinctive character, unusual flora and unique wildlife.

Trails

On the Skåneleden, Stage 11 runs from Hårsjö to Lärkesholm. It is a relatively easy, 20-kilometre hiking trail, with more than 50 percent of the route running on asphalt or gravel roads. Stage 12 leads from Lärkesholm to Bjärabygget, is 13 kilometres long and runs along natural paths as well as longer sections with boardwalks.

Bus 511 can be used to travel to Lärkesholm as far as the Bälinge stop; from there, a forest track leads to the lakes. At the end of the stage in Bjärabygget, the nearest bus stop is in the centre of Örkelljunga.

Vemmentorpsturen offers 30 kilometres of rural cycling between lakes, forest and open landscapes. There are several opportunities for swimming stops along the route; Sjöhultet also has a toilet and a picnic area. In total, 18 signposted sights in the municipality of Örkelljunga can be explored on foot, by bicycle or by car.

History and Culture

At the Ingeborrarp Open-Air Museum, visitors can experience how people lived and worked more than 150 years ago. The Rya church ruins are only a few minutes' walk from the Ingeborrarp Open-Air Museum. They originate from the Rya parish church, which was built at the end of the 12th or beginning of the 13th century.

Today, the Rya church ruins are used for summer services, baptisms and weddings, and in summer as a way church. Meals or fika are served at Ingeborrarps Värdshus.

The historic Lärkesholm estate is associated with Anders von Reiser, who lived in the 18th century and left bequests for a school, a library and people in need. According to tradition, one of the medieval castles built by the Danes along the national border stood near Lycksta.

Hjelms fabriker is associated with Svensk-Engelska Herrkonfektionsfabriken Hjelm, whose history spanned almost 100 years. Hjelmsjöborg was built as the private residence of the owners of the Hjelm factories. A customs flour mill was built at Bruket in 1770 and was taken out of operation in 1976. The David Anders sawmill operated in the centre of Örkelljunga for about 75 years from 1922.

Leisure

Smörmyrs Discgolf is a nine-hole course in the countryside outside Örkelljunga, with open areas, dense forest and water hazards. The flat Landisbanan in the centre of Örkelljunga is used for ice skating when ice conditions permit.

To the main travel overview: Skåne.

More destinations

More places in the same destination:

Kristianstad, Åstorp, Ängelholm, Hässleholm, Burlöv.