Nässjö Turistbyrå (Tourist information office) Rådhusgatan 20, Nässjö Tel. +46 (0)380-51 80 60

turistbyran@nassjo.se, www.nassjo.se/turism

The höglandsleden Trail,TomTebacken –

VikskVarn – hjälmseryd

Walking in N

ässjö

Do you want to experience Småland at close range?

Then we recommend good shoes, a good packed lunch and a detailed walking map. Bring along pleasant company or enjoy being by yourself in silence, tranquil-lity and nature.

The Höglandsleden trail is 454 kilometres long and shows the highlands of Småland at their very best. The trail traverses meadows and pastures, large forests and birch groves, passing traditional Swedish round pole fences, cairns (stone formations) and glittering lakes. At the same time, the walk is an instructive trip through different epochs. There are geo-logical formations from the Ice Age and ancient monuments from both the Iron and Bronze Ages. Along the way you will pass traces of peasant society and changes wrought by forestry, but you will also get a picture of modern life in the countryside.

For 62 kilometres, the Höglandsleden trail goes through Nässjö Mu-nicipality, and in addition to many historical attractions, here you will find the highest point in the southern Swedish highlands: Tomtabacken, which rises 377 metres above sea level!

Parts of the Höglandsleden trail coincide with the E6 European walking trail. The trail also connects with a number of Swedish trails: Sevedele-den (east), Anebyleden and Östgötaleden (northeast), Vildmarksleden (southeast), Sigfridsleden (southwest) as well as Gislavedsleden and Järnbärarleden (west).

With a starting point at the Nässjö railway hub, there are all kinds of opportunities to experience a piece of Sweden on foot.

don’T disTurb - don’T desTroyThe main rule of the right of public access is “Don’t disturb – don’t destroy”. Be considerate when you are out in the countryside.

• Take trash home with you or throw it in a waste bin.

• Glass, cans and bottle caps can injure both people and animals.

• You may not take twigs, branches, birch-bark or other bark from growing trees. Nor may you take bushes or trees. On the other hand, you may pick wild berries, flowers, mushrooms, fallen branches and dry twigs on the ground.

• Do not disturb animals by scaring them, especially during the March 1–August 20 period, when many animals have young.

• Build fires only on specially provided barbecue sites. If you have built a fire, extinguish it thoroughly before you leave the site.

don’T forgeT!Being properly equipped for an outdoor excursion can make your experience a lot more fun. Wear good shoes or boots. If you are going to walk in tall grass, long trousers are a good idea. Bring along a camera, binoculars, plant and bird handbooks, etc. Don’t be in a hurry. Enjoy and discover nature up close – and do it in the company of others.

The Höglandsleden trail

The enTire höglandsleden Trail

Tomtabacken_Vikskvarn_Hjälmseryd_engelska.indd 1 2013-05-21 11:44:07

1. TomTabackenTomtabacken, at 377 metres above sea level, is the highest point in the Götaland region in southern Sweden. This place has the same average temperature in the summer as Jokkmokk by the Arctic Circle! The panoramic view can be enjoyed from the lookout tower that was once built by the Swedish Air Force.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

2. falla mosseOne of highest situated bogs in southern Sweden. Because of its size, unspoiled landscape and great natural values, it is one of the most valuable wetlands in the county . Experience both the open, high bog and natural forest; sense the remoteness and wilderness. The place is popular with ornithologists. Maybe you will also spot golden plovers, black grouse, cranes or meadow pipits.

6. maTTarps bokskogWelcome to nature’s own colonnade. It is about two hectares in size! Between Broddarp and Mattarp you’ll find the country’s highest situated spontaneous beech forest and one of Europe’s northernmost stands of beech. Pollen analyses indicate that beech trees have existed here for 400 years. The beech forest was mentioned in writings as early as in the 17th century. The beech trees were not cut down be-cause the pigs that grazed here in the summer were allowed to eat the beechnuts.

3. lake ekelsjösjönLocated 345 metres above sea level, this is the highest lake in the highlands of southern Sweden. It is a long and narrow bog lake with characteristics of Norrland (northern Sweden) and quagmires along the edges. Be careful!

4. lake daVidsTorpasjön/ daVidsTorpAt this point, the trail turns into a beach stroll for a while. Lake Davidstorpasjön is part of the Lagan water system and is relatively unaffected by human activity. The village of Davidstorp is an idyll of well-preserved buildings, small cultivated tracts and sparse birch and aspen pastures.

5. VikskVarn millStep into a bygone mill epoch. Only ruins of the old Vikskvarn mill remain. A river running through the ruins has exposed the Almesåkra formation, sedimentary rock that is 700–800 million years old and of geological interest. This has made the mill ruins a classic study location for bedrock geology. The mill is located in a picturesque rift south of Lake Almesåkrasjön. It is also possible to go swimming here!

7. hjälmseryds linden“If my linden plays, my nightingale sings,” Astrid Lindgren wrote. Hjälmseryd is home to Sweden’s largest linden tree (also called the small-leaved lime), with a circumference of a full nine metres. The tree has been here for 500 years, and despite a lightning strike a few years ago, it is still stately. Lean back against the trunk and feel the pulse of history.

© L

antm

äter

iet

Walking trail

Walking trail, along a road

Tomtabacken_Vikskvarn_Hjälmseryd_engelska.indd 2 2013-05-21 11:44:16