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Åsnen runt is a 140 km circuit around Åsnen. You can opt to cycle parts of the trail or book a 4-day package tour including bicycle hire, map and accommodation with breakfast and lunch. It is of course also possible to pack a tent on your bike’s package holder and stay the night at campsites along the route.
About half the route follows an old railbed and has no motor traffic. Clear signs make the route easy to follow. The trail will take you through cultural and beautiful environments that offer plenty of nature experiences and interesting sights.
Alvesta is a great starting point for the Åsnen runt bike route. Arrive comfortably by train at Alvesta Central Station where you also pick up your map and bicycle for the tour. If you want to stock up on provisions before you head off, there is a local supermarket nearby and a very nice Swedish/Japanese café – Café St. Clair.
Växjö also is an ideal starting point for the cycle route, with excellent train and bus connections.
The city offers lots to see and do, as well as a plethora of places to stay ranging from hotels to campgrounds. Visit or contact the Tourist Information for further information.
Make a stop at Huseby Bruk while cycling Åsnen runt. Huseby is an old ironworks with a well-preserved works environment and lots of history. Today, Huseby is a wonderful place to visit with its beautiful castle and manor park, the kitchen garden, museums, small shops and the restaurant, Elisabeth’s Garden Café & Restaurant.
Fill your picnic hamper with wonderfully tasty, locally produced delicacies. Artisan food for Swedish ‘fika’ with self-service, more substantial barbecue adventures or quick coffee breaks with ice cream. They offer take-away coffee and tea.
Trollberget is the western entrance to Åsnen National Park and offers an amazing nature mosaic. Dragonflies hover over the calm bays and the low point where there is a sudden crack in the bare rock is home to many legends. One tells of a hidden door where the troll’s enormous treasure is supposedly hidden.
Ulvö is an old station community through which the railway once passed. Today it’s a cycleway, Banvallsleden, on which you’re travelling. A nice place to swim, rest and have a picnic. There’s also a basic toilet by the car park.
The Swing Bridge
Here you pass a historic swing bridge. The bridge, which dates back to the second half of the 19th century, used to pivot and was manoeuvred manually to allow the steam boat traffic that was once a common sight in Åsnen to pass.
THE WATER SPRITE’S BATH
The Water Sprite’s Bath, the Christening Stone – the names vary! But it’s easy to imagine the water sprite taking a relaxing bath here between engagements in darker waters!
Rest area with a view
Rest area with a magical view of one of the most pristine areas in Åsnen. On early spring mornings, if you’re in luck, you may hear the black-throated diver call between the islands. There is a barbecue area and a basic toilet here. Remember to bring your own firewood and good judgment if you’re going to light a fire. This barbecue area is basic and must not be used when there is a general prohibition on lighting fires.
The cosy and friendly shop Ålshults Handelsbod sells coffee, lunch and even takeaways if you want to ensure you have some extra energy in your rucksack. Ålshults Handelsbod is also a tourist centre that provides tourist information.
When in Urshult, make a visit at Ljushuset that makes and sells their own candles. Not far from there you will find Sorares Café with German inspired pastry and cakes. They do also provide tourist information.
This is considered to be the oldest court in southern Småland. Here are five burial mounds, two bushings and over a hundred round, oval and rectangular stone settings. The few graves that has been excavated has had findings of buckles from the Wiking era and a sword from the Bronze Age. The biggest burial mound is 37 meters in diameter and 6 meters high. This is called ”Ingelinge Hög”. At the top there is a beautifully decorated stone and a grave globe.
Ekotemplet
Teleborgs Water tower does not only have room for water. Here, the tiniest sound bounces against the dome-shaped roof making an cool eco. Hence the name – ”The Eco Temple”.
