Svenljunga between lakes, trails and culture

In the southeast of the municipality of Svenljunga lies the Fegen area, bordering Halland and Småland. Fegen and the adjacent lakes Spaden, Svansjön and Kalvsjön have many small, sheltered bays, jutting headlands, and around seventy islands and skerries. Fegen and the adjacent lakes are suitable for canoeing; equipped campsites for overnight stays are available there.

Nature and water

The Ätran and the Fegen area are designated paddling areas with several kilometres of waterways and numerous lakes suitable for canoeing or kayaking. On Road 153 towards Fegen, the Orrvägen and Solvik bus stops are in the immediate vicinity of the nature reserve. The Ätranbaneleden trail ends at the nature reserve in the village of Fegen.

The Klev nature and cultural reserve comprises a park and garden landscape with broad-crowned oaks and beeches, a wooded steep slope, remains of a fortification and a boulder-strewn scree slope. The Bjällermossen nature reserve consists of a mosaic of bog, swamp forest and mixed coniferous forest; cloudberry blossoms, black grouse and old, slow-growing pines can be found there. At Buttorp, north of Sexdrega, the Ätran features a natural rapid that is unusually large for its size. There is a municipal nature reserve, a barbecue area and information boards there.

Cycling and hiking

The Sjuhäradsrundan cycle trail connects Svenljunga, Borås, Ulricehamn and Tranemo. The Ätradalsleden runs between Falkenberg and Falköping and passes the Fegen area in the municipality of Svenljunga.

At Örsås, the Röstorps kulturstig trail passes settlements, graves and fields belonging to Iron Age farmers, as well as croft sites from the 19th century; twelve information boards stand along the trail. The trail is easy, around 2 kilometres long and has several places to rest.

The Gräne Gruva open-pit mine is still visible and can be reached via a short footpath from the car park. There are four marked trails at Gräne Gruva: Trollstigen, Toppleden, Järnvägsleden and Geologileden.

The Strömsfors Berättarstig is an approximately 1-kilometre-long storytelling trail with information boards in three languages. It runs along the water and, according to the trail description, is easily accessible by car, rollator, pushchair and wheelchair.

History and culture

Mica and feldspar were mined at Gräne Gruva from 1899 to 1932 and subsequently exported mainly to Germany by water and rail. Klevs gästgiveri in the nature reserve dates back to the 1650s in its origins; its buildings were protected as listed buildings in 1988.

Hammarlind Museum is a digital museum about the Hammarlindska donation, which comprises more than 3,000 objects. Svenljunga Sculpture Park contains three large-scale artworks: “Svensk älg 22”, “Silverörn” and “Björn 6500”.

The Åkersta Vin & Spirituosa Museum in Sexdrega preserves a well-preserved spirits shop and an apartment from around the turn of the century. These two rooms are shown by prior appointment. Bynanders Motormuseum displays around 60 cars and 120 motorcycles.

Practical information

There are thirteen municipal bathing sites in the municipality of Svenljunga; most are equipped with dry toilets and jetties. Svenljunga’s year-round physical tourist information office is located in the central library directly by the market square. The joint digital destination portal brings together information about attractions, activities, accommodation and dining options.

In the Fegen nature reserve, camping, pitching tents and lighting fires are only permitted at the designated campsites. An overnight stay requires a campsite fee or campsite coupon.

Places within the geographical area

The geographical area of Svenljunga also includes Sexdrega, Hillared, Överlida, Kalv, Östra Frölunda, Svenljunga, Holsljunga, Håcksvik, Mjöbäck, Mårdaklev and Örsås.

Paddling

There is an opportunity to canoe between Uddebo and Strömsfors; canoes can be rented at Gulahuset. Svenskt Kanotäventyr offers paddling experiences throughout the Fegen area and along the Ätran towards Falkenberg. Svenskt Kanotäventyr rents canoes, kayaks and boats for excursions on the Fegen and Ätran waterways.

For the broader travel overview: Västra Götaland.