Signature trail Store Mosse

In this part of western Småland, you hike through enchanting forests dotted with small, picturesque lakes for swimming and fishing, eventually reaching Sweden’s largest, largely untouched raised bog south of Lappland – Store Mosse nationalpark.

In Store Mosse nationalpark, you have a great chance of spotting curlews, golden eagles and bats, while the bog also offers rich plant life, including half of Sweden’s approximately 50 species of sphagnum moss, pine bog trees, wild rosemary and no less than three varieties of the carnivorous plant sundew.

Along the trail, there is also a strong cultural presence. You can, for example, experience the early “Gnosjö spirit” at Töllstorps outdoor museum, explore one of the county’s most ancient monument-dense areas, and at the final destination Värnamo visit Bruno Mattsons museum and the art and design museum Vandalorum. Why not reward yourself with a cup of coffee in the celebrated nature and heritage park Apladalen in Värnamo.

The hiking trail is one of STF’s signature trails – an especially beautiful, quality-assured multi-day hike.

Map of Signature trail Store Mosse

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Things to see and do along the trail

• Bring your swimwear – there are plenty of lakes for swimming along the way.
• Climb the large birdwatching tower at Naturum and enjoy fantastic views over the entire Kävsjön.
• Take the opportunity to visit Naturum in Store Mosse nationalpark, where you can explore exhibitions about the bog, examine plants and learn more about the wildlife.
• Near the starting point, just outside Hestra, you’ll find Isabergs friluftsby where you can try a high ropes course or go downhill biking. Here, you also have the option to start your journey with an overnight stay in a cabin or at a hotel.
• Just outside Gnosjö, adjacent to the hostel, you’ll find Töllstorps industrimuseum. Here you can watch demonstrations of wire drawing and the manufacturing of items such as hairpins and safety pins.

Don’t miss

Don’t miss the old wooden church in Kävsjö dating back to the 1770s. Stay an extra night and visit the amusement park High Chaparral nearby.

Find your way to the trail

Take the train or bus to Hestra station, where you are only a few hundred metres from the trailhead. If you prefer to start in Gnosjö, you can also take the train there. In Värnamo, you can take a bus back to Hestra or continue your journey by train. Travel information is easiest to find at www.jlt.se (opens in new tab) or www.sj.se (opens in new tab).

Trail markings

All stages are part of the Smålandsleden and are marked in orange. From Naturum and the main entrance to the park at Andersberg, you can also follow green national park markings.

Stages Signature trail Store Mosse

Tip! If you don’t want to hike all stages, you can start or end in Gnosjö or Kärda (depending on your direction), both of which have good bus connections.

Stage 1: Hestra – Töllstorp/Gnosjö

23 km, 5–6 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Gnosjö Vandrarhem

The trail starts at Hestra station. The stretch between Hestra and Gnosjö follows the Järnbärarleden trail, named after the 18th century when the area was used for iron transport. Coniferous forest dominates the landscape, except in the Ettö nature reserve where you are treated to deciduous forest and meadows – a perfect spot for a break with a view.

In Nissafors there was once an old mill, though little remains today. Take the opportunity to refill your water bottle at the preserved spring. About halfway, at Mellansjön, there is a wind shelter with a fireplace and dry toilet. Water can be collected from a stream south of the shelter.

The final stretch follows pleasant paths through varied nature. The stage ends at Töllstorp, located 500 metres from STF Gnosjö Vandrarhem. Töllstorp friluftsmuseum is open during the summer months and offers guided tours. At Töllstorpshallen (opens in new tab), next to the hostel, you can access showers, sauna, toilets and refill water if you are camping.

Stage 2: Töllstorp/Gnosjö – Hillerstorp/Svänö

21–22 km, 6–7 hours of hiking
Accommodation: Svänö Vandrarhem (opens in new tab), Haga värdshus Hillerstorp (opens in new tab)

On day two, the trail changes name to Kävsjölänken. Once again, you hike through a classic Småland landscape of forests and cultural heritage. At Rudö, you pass a larger ridge, making parts of the trail somewhat hilly. Halfway along, you’ll find the wind shelter Intaget with a fireplace and dry toilet. A well with water is located 100 metres south of the shelter.

The trail ends in Kävsjö, but you can turn off earlier if you wish to stay overnight at the inn in Hillerstorp, about 3 km from Kävsjö. Alternatively, you can head into Store Mosse nationalpark, just under 4 km from Kävsjö, and stay at Svänö Vandrarhem inside the park. Accommodation here is simple, without electricity or running water, and with a dry toilet. Camping outside the hostel is also permitted.

Stage 3: Hillerstorp/Svänö – Lövö

12–14 km, 2–3 hours of hiking
Accommodation: Lövö Vandrarhem (opens in new tab)

If you start from Hillerstorp, you will pass Naturum Store Mosse. From Svänö, you can choose to walk along either the eastern or western side of Kävsjön. The western route takes you past Naturum, while the eastern route goes directly to Lövö. Regardless of your choice, you hike through Store Mosse nationalpark with its unique bog landscape reminiscent of the mountains. You walk along narrow paths and boardwalks, surrounded by rich flora.

You can resupply in Hillerstorp, but after that there are no services until Värnamo.

The stage ends at Lövö Vandrarhem, where you stay without electricity or running water. There is a pump in the yard, and cooking is done on a grill or wood stove. Camping is also allowed at Lövö.

Stage 4: Lövö – Kärda/Herrestad

13 km, 3–4 hours of hiking
Accommodation: Herrestad Bed & Guestroom (opens in new tab) or wind shelter 1.5 km east of Kärda

On day four, you continue hiking through parts of Store Mosse nationalpark. The southern section of the park usually has fewer visitors, offering a stronger wilderness feel. You then continue along the Kärdaleden trail through the scenic Kärda area, rich in ancient remains, leafy forests and small lakes.

About 2.5 km before Kärda, you can turn off towards Herrestad (not part of the trail) if you prefer comfortable accommodation at Herrestad Bed & Guestroom. Otherwise, continue towards Kärda where there is a wind shelter at Kvarndammen, about 1.5 km south of the village. This section is easy to walk and largely follows gravel roads.

Stage 5: Kärda/Herrestad – Värnamo station

14–16 km, 3–4 hours of hiking
Accommodation: Several hotels are available in Värnamo

The final stage takes you through a varied and fascinating landscape, passing pine-covered bogs, deciduous forests, historic cultural landscapes, enchanting spruce forests and open farmland with views over Lake Vidöstern. At the Stomsjö wetland, you can spot birds. If you pay close attention while hiking through the Värnamo outdoor area, you may discover ancient remains such as fossilised fields. The area between Kärda and Värnamo is one of the most ancient monument-dense areas in Jönköping County.

Once in Värnamo, reward yourself with a meal or a coffee at one of the town’s many restaurants or cafés.

From Värnamo, you can take a train or bus back to Hestra or continue your journey onward.

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