Seven day trips for those who want to discover more of Småland
The best thing about staying at Smålandstorpet is that nature begins right outside your door. Here, you can lace up your hiking boots after breakfast and head straight out onto our own trails through the forest. But there’s also plenty to discover a little further away.
Within about an hour’s drive, you’ll find everything from small nature reserves and babbling brooks to open bogs, scenic overlooks, and dramatic mountain gorges. Here are seven great hikes in Småland that are perfect for a few days’ stay with us—from the trails around Hok to Skurugata outside Eksjö.
1. Hok – several hiking trails right nearby
If you’d like to go for a hike without traveling too far from Smålandstorpet, there are several great options around Hok and Hooks Herrgård. Several trails of varying lengths start from the manor. You can choose, for example, the Lilla Rävaskansrundan (4.5 km), the Österskogsrundan (5 km), the Stora Rävaskansrundan (7 km), or the Hästgången (10 km). For those who want to go on a longer day hike, there’s the Åhultsrundan (23 km).
Hooks Herrgård is also a trailhead for the Smålandsleden and Höglandsleden trails, so from here you can continue much further through the Småland countryside. Another option is the Lyngemaden Nature Reserve and Lake Lyngemadssjön. A 2.4 km connecting trail leads from Hooks Herrgård to the reserve.
Perfect for those who: want a choice of several distances and enjoy hiking near Smålandstorpet.
Our tip: Choose one of the 5–10 km loops for a nice half-day hike and finish with a coffee break in the Hok area.
2. Hattens Nature Reserve – peaceful and close by
Hattens Nature Reserve is a smaller and considerably more peaceful destination than, for example, Store Mosse and Skurugata. Here you’ll find forests and rolling terrain that are perfect for when you want to get out for a while without going on a full-day outing.
Above all, it’s the tranquility that makes Hatten worth a visit. Pack some coffee, take a stroll through the woods, and let your outing be just as simple as it sounds.
Perfect for those who: prefer smaller nature reserves and peaceful walks in the woods.
Our tip: Bring a thermos and a tasty snack, and enjoy the outing at your own pace.
3. Taberg – Hike with a View
South of Jönköping, Taberg rises above the surrounding landscape. It’s a great choice for those who want a bit more elevation gain and a clear sense of accomplishment at the summit.
In the Taberg Nature Reserve, there are trails through the forest and up the mountain, and once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a view of the Småland landscape. It’s a completely different nature experience than the hikes through the forest and along the marshes further south.
Perfect for those who want: uphill trails, forests, and views.
Our tip: Visit on a day with clear weather. At the top of Taberg, you can also stop for a coffee break.
4. Hassafallsleden – Follow the Water Through the Forest
If you enjoy forests, rapids, and babbling brooks, the Hassafalls Trail is a great option. The trail follows the Hassa River through the forest landscape, and along the way you’ll pass flowing streams, small waterfalls, and rapids.
After periods of heavy rain, the aquatic environments are especially beautiful. The ground can be both uneven and damp, so sturdy shoes are a good idea.
Perfect for those who: enjoy forests, water, and a more varied hike.
Our tip: We recommend taking this hike after a few rainy days, when the river is full of water.
5. Dumme Mosse – Open Lands and Footbridges
West of Jönköping lies Dumme Mosse, a large nature reserve where the landscape really opens up. Here, you’ll hike through bogs, marshes, pine forests, and past small ponds. Parts of the trails run along boardwalks over the wetlands, and the natural surroundings are distinctly different from the forests around Smålandstorpet.
Dumme Mosse is also conveniently located if you want to combine a nature outing with a few hours in Jönköping. That makes it an easy choice for a half-day trip where you can enjoy both nature and the city.
Perfect for those who: enjoy open landscapes, tranquility, and easy hikes.
Our tip: Take a morning hike through the marsh, then head on to Jönköping for lunch or a coffee break.
6. Store Mosse National Park – Småland’s vast marshland
If you’d like to take a slightly longer nature excursion, Store Mosse National Park is one of our top recommendations. Here, one of southern Sweden’s largest marshlands stretches out, featuring open expanses, wooded areas, and a rich variety of birdlife.
The national park has several hiking trails of varying lengths, so you can choose between a shorter walk and a longer day hike. Several of the trails follow boardwalks through the wetlands. Feel free to start at the nature center and choose a hike that fits the amount of time and energy you have that day.
Perfect for: those who enjoy vast landscapes, birdwatching, and the feeling of getting deep into nature.
Our tip: Bring a snack and make the outing last a few hours. If you’d like to continue your day, you can head to Vandalorum in Värnamo for lunch, a snack, or an exhibition.
7. Skurugata and Skuruhatt – for a real day trip
The farthest of our recommendations is Skurugata, just outside Eksjö, but it’s worth the trip if you want to experience something different from the other hikes on the list. Skurugata is a narrow mountain gorge about 800 meters long, and in some places the rock walls rise high on both sides.
The hike through the ravine is rocky and challenging in places, so it’s a good idea to wear sturdy shoes. Be sure to also take the opportunity to hike up to Skuruhatt, where you’ll enjoy a view of the Småland forest landscape.
Perfect for those who: want to take a longer excursion and experience more dramatic scenery.
Our tip: Make it a full-day trip and then continue on to Eksjö. Stroll through the old wooden town and finish with a coffee break at one of the town’s cafés.
Which hike should you choose?
It depends mainly on what kind of nature you’re in the mood for. If you want to stay close to Smålandstorpet, the trails around Hok are the easiest option, while Hatten is a good choice for a more leisurely forest hike, and Taberg is ideal for those who want some elevation and views.
The Hassafallsleden trail is a great choice if you enjoy following a stream through the forest. Dumme Mosse and Store Mosse are good options if you want to explore open marshlands and walk across boardwalks. If you’re looking for a full-day outing, Skurugata combined with Eksjö is a wonderful option.
Or start the hike right at the house
Of course, you don’t have to get in the car at all. Around Smålandstorpet, we’ve marked out our own hiking trails that start right by the house. Here, you can choose between shorter hikes of a few kilometers and longer loops through the forests surrounding the farm.
You can walk around Lake Fällesjön, follow trails past the lakes, hike through the pine forest, or choose a longer hike across the stream. There’s also a shorter trail through the old-growth forest. You can borrow a backpack, a thermos, and a seat pad from us, so you don’t need to bring all your gear from home.
If you’d like to bring a tasty treat along on your hike, you can buy a snack at Vaggeryds Gårdscafé or Café Ritz in Vaggeryd and pack it in your backpack. That’s perhaps what we like best about hiking here: it doesn’t require much planning.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, put on your hiking boots, and step outside. Then your hike begins, and when you return, your own house will be waiting for you. If you’d like to end the day on a particularly relaxing note, you can book our wood-fired sauna down by the lake.
