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Mjölby is perfectly positioned in the heart of Östgötaslätten, making it an ideal base for exploration. This fertile region boasts a rich history and is filled with fascinating sites, from ancient runestones and ruins to charming villages and picturesque small towns. The area offers diverse nature experiences, with its proximity to the lake Vättern, rolling fields, forests, and excellent hiking on the Östgötaleden trail and the Signature Trail Omberg.
Hiking
Mjölby is a great starting point for both short and long hikes through fascinating landscapes filled with orchids, glacial formations, and cultural landmarks.
The Östgötaleden trail runs through Mjölby municipality, offering 1,400 km of varied hiking routes. Digital maps for the different sections are available on the Östgötaleden website. The stretch from Bleckenstad, about 10 km south of Mjölby, to Örbackens Nature Reserve, about 6 km north of Mjölby, is divided into three stages.
Signature Trail Omberg offers breathtaking nature and stunning views of the Östgötaslätten’s agricultural landscape, its many church towers, and the shimmering waters of Vättern. The area includes the Omberg Ecopark, a 1,700-hectare reserve featuring beech forests and over 400 ancient oaks. A visit to Ellen Key’s beautifully preserved home, Strand, located by Vättern, is also highly recommended.
Right next to the entrance of Mjölby Hostel, you’ll find Hälsans Stig, a 4.5 km walking trail. This route takes you along the dark waters of Svartån, through the town and nearby green spaces, passing landmarks such as Mjölby Church, the old town hall, and Stadsparken. The trail is mostly flat with paved or compacted gravel surfaces, making it an easy and accessible walk.
Nature reserves
Mjölby municipality is home to several nature reserves, each with its own unique character. Explore Skogssjöområdet and follow the Ice Age Trail around the small lake, with its ridges and rolling hills.
Visit Solberga, with its oak groves and Iron Age burial grounds. Discover Stora Haddebo, a mystical spruce forest with moss-covered rocks and dramatic cliffs. Västra Harg’s deciduous woodlands blend pastureland with dense forests and even feature the small bird-rich lake Aren. These are just a few of the many nature reserves waiting to be explored in the Mjölby area.
A popular nearby destination is Lake Tåkern, one of Northern Europe’s most important bird lakes. Here, you’ll find boardwalk trails through the reeds, birdwatching towers, and a fantastic Naturum visitor center offering guided tours, exhibitions, and activities for all ages.
Swimming and paddling
The nearest swimming spot is Skogssjön, about 4.5 km from Mjölby Hostel. This popular destination features a playground, beach volleyball court, barbecue area, outdoor showers, and restrooms. It’s also a favorite among winter bathers, with a sauna available.
Mjölby is also home to Lundbybadet, a swimming complex with an adventure pool, relaxation area, gym, and outdoor pool with diving platforms. Lundbybadet also offers canoe rentals, allowing you to paddle along the lushly framed Svartån River – perfect for a picnic break along the way.
For an unforgettable paddling experience, visit Lake Sommen in Tranås, about 30 minutes from Mjölby. With its crystal-clear waters, the lake offers fantastic canoeing and kayaking opportunities. Rentals are available through PetrusKajak.
In winter, when conditions allow, you can enjoy ice skating on local rinks, outdoor arenas, or natural ice on nearby lakes, such as in Motala.
Culture & history
Mjölby Hostel is located in the heart of an Open-air Museum, a cultural gem showcasing the area’s history from the 18th century to the present. Here, you can explore historic buildings, including an 18th-century servants’ quarters, an old privy, a 1700s sawmill, and Åttakanten – a charming café housed in a former 18th-century gatehouse.
Just outside town, you’ll find Kungshögarna, a large Iron Age burial ground featuring nine stone circles, twelve triangular formations, three standing stones, twenty burial mounds, eighty round stone settings, and an oval stone formation. The site was likely used for burials for over a thousand years, starting in the early Iron Age.
Högby, a village near Mjölby, is home to the Högby Runestone—one of Östergötland’s most impressive runestones, standing 3.5 meters tall. Its unique feature is the genealogical inscription on the back, detailing the lives of several individuals.
The neighboring town of Skänninge is steeped in history. In its center, you’ll find the cultural reserve with an herb garden, rose garden, and three well-preserved museum houses. The town’s Vårfrukyrkan, built in the 13th century, is an unusually large and elaborate brick church for its time. Nearby, you can visit the ruins of Sweden’s first Dominican convent for women, S:ta Ingrid’s Convent, founded in the 1270s.
Other interesting destinations include Bjälbo, Vadstena, Väderstad, and many more.