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 or the cafés Estvalls in Alvesta and 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 in Växjö for further information.
Sundet - The strait
If you start the tour from Växjö, you will pass the Södra- and Norra Bergundasjön meet at the narrow water passage. This spot is a popular excursion destination for fishing, picnicking and other outdoor activities. Tables, benches, dry toilet, docks and grill houses make the area visitor-friendly. North of Sundet, walking paths also lead into the nature reserve Bokhultet’s beautiful beech forests. To the west of Sundet there is a small promontory with a barbecue area and a bench table that offers a nice view of the bird life of Norra Bergundasjön.
Bergkvara castle ruin
If you start the tour from Växjö, you will pass the Bergkvara castle ruins. A long and eventful history surrounds ancient Bergkvara. A manor landscape with a cultural environment of national interest. In the castle park, a wheelchair-friendly walking path leads to an atmospheric castle ruin dating back to the 15th century. The environment is lush and rich in birds. Visit with good judgment and respect when you visit Bergkvara. The land is private and the farm runs agricultural activities.
Farmors Grimslöv, farmshop
Farmors Gårdsbod sells homemade chocolate pralines, homemade and award-winning ice cream, with flavors from the farm’s own berries, locally produced sausages, cheese, etc., as well as local handicrafts and flowers in season. From June 10, the Ice Cream Bar is open. In addition to ice cream, sandwiches are also served. Visit their website for the summer opening hours in the Ice Cream Bar!
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, exhibitions, small shops and the restaurant, Elisabeth’s Garden Café & Restaurant.
Café in the old country store and food truck right next door. Homemade cookies, sandwiches and light lunches in the café. In the food truck, street food is served exactly as it should be, straight from the grill, hearty and familiar. With an unbeatable view. Here you can easily pause for a long time both indoors and outdoors! Open every day except Mondays during the summer. Check opening hours on their Fb-page, link below!
Fill your picnic basket with wonderfully tasty, locally produced delicacies. Artisan food for a Swedish ‘fika’ with self-service, more substantial barbecue adventures or quick coffee breaks with ice cream. During the summer season, both hearty and dessert waffles are served in the garden. 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
Ulvö is an old station community through which the railway once passed. Today it’s a cycle road, 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. Check here if there is an extended fire ban that also prohibits making fire in BBQ-places.
Choose between walking the southern trail, 5 km, or combine with the northern trail, which together is about 7.5 km. The signposted route follows winding paths and occasional footbridges through marshes and beautiful pine forests.
Ålshults handelsbod
The cosy and friendly shop Ålshults Handelsbod sells coffee, lunch and even offers take-away if you want to ensure you have some extra energy in your backpack. Ålshults Handelsbod is also a tourist centre that provides tourist information.
In Hackekvarn Reserve you’ll cross a nice old bridge – a wonderful photo opportunity along the bike trip! From here you can also glimpse the small island of Kungsholmen. On Kungsholmen, also called Slottsholmen, there are remains of the 14th-century ‘Hacke Castle’, which is believed to have belonged to the Bishop of Växjö.
Urshult
When in Urshult, make a stop at Ljushuset that make and sell their own candles. Not far from there you will find Sorores Café with German inspired pastries and cakes. They 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 have been excavated have 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 a cool eco. Hence the name – ”The Eco Temple”.
