Blekinge

Lake Halen, Blekinge's largest lake, encompasses about half its area within a nature reserve, featuring hiking trails, running tracks, riding paths, rest areas, and wind shelters. Along the eastern shore, near Olofström, Halens Badplats stands out as the region's largest bathing place. Linked to neighbouring lakes like Raslången, Filkesjön, and Immeln, Halen forms part of an extensive water system, attracting canoeists with its numerous branches, bays, and islands. The lake's size and diversity foster a rich fish population, adding to its appeal as a prime fishing destination.

Want to know more about life under the surface? Here is the chance to learn more about plants and animals that live in the water just outside the coast of Blekinge. The snorkelling trail is an "underwater path" with information plates on the bottom that can be read from the surface and is situated at the Kollevik bathing area in Karlshamn. The idea of the snorkelling trail is to pay attention to the marine ecosystems and increase the interest in life below the surface. The trail goes through various marine landscapes such as sand and rock bottom. The information is easy to understand and describes the most common species outside Blekinge's coast, but also large-scale Baltic sea problems such as eutrophication, boat bottom paints and overfishing. The trail is divided into simpler parts in shallow water and a slightly more difficult part in deeper water, however, max. 3 metres. The proximity to the beach makes it possible to interrupt the snorkelling whenever you want.

Embark on a special journey through the old oak woods and tranquil beech forests with the 255 km long Blekinge Walking Trail, a delight for hiking enthusiasts. The trail offers diverse landscapes, including the archipelago, lakes, rivers, forests, and nature reserves. Along the way, keep an eye out for fascinating wildlife such as elk, stag beetles, white-tailed eagles, and seals.

Sydostleden, a 270-kilometre bicycle route, offers you a varied nature experience from the comfort of your bike saddle. The trail is divided into seven sections. Choose to cycle one section at a time, merge multiple sections or cycle the whole trail in a sweep. Be sure to make time for many stops along the way. The route spans from Växjö in Småland to Simrishamn in Skåne, southern Sweden. In Belkinge, there are 2 sections: Fridafors-Karlshamn and Karlshamn-Sölvesborg. - Fridafors-Karlshamn, do not miss the Abu Museum in Svängsta. It tells the story of the Abu factory, which stopped manufacturing watches and taxi metres to concentrate on fishing equipment. At Svängsta, the landscape changes character from woodland to open countryside. The countryside along the coast is the lowest stage in Blekinge. The port and market town of Karlshamn was founded in 1664. It was in Karlshamn that Kristina from Duvemåla and her Karl Oskar (from the novels by Vilhelm Moberg) boarded the Brig Charlotta, which took them across the Atlantic to America. The Emigrant Monument in the Harbour Park has been erected in memory of those who emigrated from Sweden. In the harbour, there is also a maritime museum. With its location by the sea, Karlshamn is a popular bathing and holiday destination. An open-air bath with exciting new architecture was opened in 2015. From the centre, there are boats to the island fortress of Kastellet and the other islands in the archipelago. - Karlshamn-Sölvesborg: An old, solid stone arch bridge crosses the River Mörrumsån. Mörrum is the centre of the river’s famous salmon fishery, which has been well-known since the thirteenth century. Continue cycling towards the villages of Mörrum and Norje. By the time you reach Norje, you are actually located in the very middle of the Sydostleden trail, this is where you will find the halfway point. In the city of Sölvesborg, the trail takes you over the 760-metre -ong Sölvesborg Bridge, which connects Listerlandet with the town, and is Europe’s longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge. In the area around the main square, Stortorget. you will find many shops, restaurants and cafés.

Explore the abundance of recreational opportunities in Brunnsparken and the Brunnsskogen nature reserve, offering picturesque walking and cycling paths. The park and forest boast a green environment with marked trails, including Hälsans stig, a specially constructed 4 km walking and exercise trail in Brunnsskogen. Wander through the leafy forest, encountering unique experiences such as the lake Trollsjön. Additionally, the renowned Blekinge Walking Trail stage 7 starts in Brunnsparken, where Naturum in Villa Gymnastiken serves as a visitor centre, providing exhibitions and information about the rich natural heritage of Blekinge.

Go on an extraordinary outdoor adventure in Olofström, home to one of Sweden's premier outdoor experiences. At Olofströms Fritidsklubb Canoe Center, you can rent both canoes and kayaks, offering a chance to paddle across the shimmering Halen, Blekinge's largest lake. Navigate the picturesque canoe trail connecting Halen, Raslången, Gill Lake, and Filkesjö, immersing yourself in the enchanting scents of the pristine forest. For a truly magical experience, consider camping under the stars, surrounded by Blekinge's stunning natural beauty. Conveniently located next to Halens Campsite, the Canoe Center provides easy access to a charming camping ground and cosy cottages.