Nykvarn: Hiking, Lakes and Industrial History

Discover Nykvarn through its hiking trails, lakes and layered industrial history. There are a range of activities to choose from when planning your trip: walks and longer hikes, canoeing, cycling and winter activities. The town’s history can also be explored at several specific sites and buildings. You can shape your time around both nature and culture.

Compare hiking trails and distances

The Turingeleden is 3.8 kilometres long and runs along the southern shore of Lake Turingen in Nykvarn. The Hälsans stig in Nykvarn is about seven kilometres long. This gives you two hiking trails of different lengths to choose from. For further orientation, the connecting section of the Sörmlandsleden begins about 100 metres west of Nykvarn station—not directly at the station.

A 4.5-kilometre floodlit Elljusspår trail is partly hilly. Cross-country skiing there depends on snow and frost. The different details about distance, route and conditions help you choose a trail based on the distance you want to cover and the season, without treating them as equivalent.

Water, forest and active outings

Vackstaskogen is on the outskirts of Nykvarn. Lake Vällingen lies to the south, and Lake Långsjön to the north. The Jägarskogen nature reserve is on the northern shore of Lake Yngern, not far from Nykvarn’s urban area. These locations give an overview of different natural areas without connecting them into a single route.

For a longer outing on the water, take the 27-kilometre Åkers Styckebruk–Nykvarn canoe route. It starts in Åkers Bergslag in Strängnäs Municipality and passes via Visnaren, the Marviken lakes, Klämmingen, Lake Kvarnsjön (Great and Little) and Gullsmorasjön to Lake Yngern. The canoe route is easy to paddle, but includes seven portages; the longest is 700 metres. Factor these portages into your time and route planning.

For a cycling trip, the suggested detour gives you a point of reference for the round trip from central Nykvarn to Taxinge Castle: the loop is about 28 kilometres long. As the suggested road option may change, check the route before setting out.

Churches and industrial history

Turinge Church has a long history: its oldest section dates from the 12th century. It also has a funerary chapel, designed and built by Erik Dahlbergh for himself and his family at the end of the 17th century. It is considered one of Sweden’s most remarkable Baroque monuments. The church vestibule also houses an 11th-century runestone, with an inscription among the longest in Södermanland. Together, the church, chapel and stone bring evidence from several different centuries together in one place.

Another point in time is Nykvarnskyrkan in the centre, built in 1974. The Smedsbygget local history museum offers insights into the historic parishes of Turinge and Taxinge. The industrial history includes ironworking at Nykvarns bruk, which was expanded and improved in the 17th century. The town’s name also reflects work by the water: the “New Mill” was built at the waterfall on the Turingeån, east of the present-day manor house; a forge was also established there to work the refined iron.

The industrial setting also includes the factory buildings and workers’ housing of the new paper mill from the second half of the 19th century, as well as older houses dating from the iron-making era. The older workers’ housing is on Bruksgatan and forms a well-preserved group of buildings. The contrast between the different building phases makes the town’s development tangible.

Seasons and practical information

In winter, Hökmossbadet has a jetty for cold-water swimming, with a device to protect the ice hole. This is a seasonal activity. At Alcrofältet, the ski trails range from three to eight kilometres depending on snow conditions; snow and frost are also essential for cross-country skiing on the floodlit Elljusspår. If you’re planning winter activities, it’s worth checking seasonal conditions before your visit.

Lådbilslandet includes Jordbrukslandet, with miniature tractors and agricultural machinery. If travelling by car, you can reach Nykvarn via the E4 and E20. The car park at Folkets park on Gammeltorpsvägen has ten spaces and is 600 metres from Nykvarn station. Local parking regulations may change; check them before travelling if needed.

For an overview of the wider trip: Nykvarn.