The best walks in Eksjö combine one of Sweden’s most atmospheric wooden town centres with quiet lakes, spruce forests and dramatic Småland landscapes. You can explore historic streets on a relaxed city walk, follow peaceful paths beside Hunsnäsen, or travel a short distance outside town to experience the rocky gorge at Skurugata. This guide covers the most rewarding walking routes in and around Eksjö, with practical advice to help you choose the right trail for your visit.
Why Eksjö is a great walking destination
Eksjö is one of the best places in Småland for travellers who enjoy exploring on foot. The town centre is compact, so it is easy to move between historic sights, cafés, small shops and green spaces without needing a car. Beyond the centre, forests and lakes begin almost immediately, creating a useful mix of easy urban walks and more adventurous nature trails.
The town is best known for its well-preserved wooden buildings. Many of the houses in the old centre date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, and the narrow streets still follow a traditional layout. Walking is the ideal way to appreciate the details, from painted façades and timber frames to courtyards that are easy to miss when passing by car.
Eksjö also sits in the Småland highlands, where the landscape is shaped by coniferous woodland, granite outcrops and dark forest lakes. Conditions can change quickly on natural trails, particularly after rain. Good walking shoes are useful even on short routes, while a waterproof layer and insect repellent are sensible additions during the warmer months.
The best walks in Eksjö
1. Eksjö Old Town and the historic centre
For a first introduction to the town, begin with a self-guided walk through Eksjö’s old centre. This is one of the easiest city walks in the area and can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on how often you stop. The central streets are mostly straightforward to navigate, and the route can be adapted around museums, cafés and small galleries.
Start near the main square and make your way through the wooden quarters around Norra and Södra Storgatan. Look beyond the most prominent façades and notice the smaller lanes, painted doors and enclosed courtyards. Several buildings have information signs explaining their history, giving the walk more depth than a simple sightseeing loop.
Eksjö Church is another useful landmark on a town-centre route. The church has medieval origins, although the building has been altered over the centuries. From here, continue through the older residential streets and return towards the central shopping area. Eksjö Museum is worth including if you have time, especially if you want to understand how the town developed and why so many wooden buildings survived.
- Length: Around 2 to 4 kilometres, depending on your route
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Paved streets, stone paving and occasional uneven sections
- Best for: Architecture, history, families and a gentle arrival walk
The old town is particularly attractive in the early morning or late afternoon, when the streets are quieter and the low light brings out the texture of the timber buildings. In summer, allow extra time for an outdoor coffee stop. During winter, the compact centre remains pleasant for a short walk, although icy paving can make comfortable shoes especially important.
2. The Hunsnäsen lake walk
Hunsnäsen is one of the most convenient places to enjoy nature close to Eksjö. The lake lies near the town and offers a calm setting for a longer walk beside water, forest and open viewpoints. A circuit around the lake is commonly treated as a walk of roughly 6 kilometres, although the exact distance can vary according to which connecting paths you use.
The route is a good choice when you want more scenery than a city walk but do not want to commit to a full-day hike. Expect sections through woodland, stretches near the shoreline and occasional exposed rocks or roots. The character of the walk changes with the season. In spring, the forest floor becomes bright with fresh growth. Summer brings longer daylight and good opportunities for a picnic, while autumn adds colour to the mixed woodland around the lake.
There are several places where you can pause and look across the water. Bring a packed lunch or a drink if you plan to take your time, as facilities can be limited along the trail. Check local signs before setting out, since path conditions and access points may change.
- Length: Approximately 6 kilometres for a full circuit
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Surface: Forest paths, gravel and uneven natural ground
- Best for: Lakeside scenery, relaxed exercise and autumn colour
Hunsnäsen is also a useful option for visitors travelling with children or dogs, provided everyone is comfortable with uneven ground. Keep dogs under control around other walkers and wildlife, and always check local notices about seasonal restrictions. The route can be combined with time in the historic centre, making it possible to experience both sides of Eksjö in one day.
3. Skurugata nature reserve
Skurugata is one of the most memorable walking destinations near Eksjö. Located a short drive from the town, the nature reserve is known for a narrow, rocky gorge surrounded by forest. The name refers to the gorge itself, while nearby Skuruhatt provides a higher viewpoint over the landscape.
The walk through the gorge is not long, but it feels more adventurous than the distance suggests. Large rocks, roots and damp sections can make the ground slippery, particularly after rain or during the colder months. In some places you need to step carefully between stones or use your hands for balance. This is not a difficult mountain hike, but sturdy footwear is strongly recommended.
After exploring the gorge, follow the marked paths towards Skuruhatt if conditions and energy allow. The viewpoint offers a broader perspective over the surrounding forest and gives the visit a satisfying contrast to the enclosed atmosphere below. Allow at least two hours for a relaxed visit, including time for photographs and pauses.
- Length: The gorge and viewpoint walks are generally a few kilometres in total
- Difficulty: Moderate, with rocky and uneven sections
- Surface: Rocks, roots, forest paths and damp ground
- Best for: Dramatic scenery, nature photography and active walkers
Skurugata is one of the best walks in Eksjö for visitors who want a strong sense of the Småland landscape without planning a long trek. Avoid rushing through the gorge. Its narrow walls, moss-covered stones and quiet woodland atmosphere are the main reason to visit.
4. Short forest walks around Eksjö
Not every good walk in Eksjö needs to be a named attraction. The woodland around town contains a network of smaller paths and tracks that are useful for a morning stroll, an evening walk or a quick break during a road trip. Local recreation areas often have broad gravel sections as well as narrower trails through the trees.
These routes are ideal if you want to experience the forest without spending several hours beside a particular lake or travelling to a nature reserve. Look for marked trails near sports and leisure facilities, and use a local map to create a loop rather than following an unknown path out and back. Some tracks are used by runners, cyclists and cross-country skiers, so pay attention to signs and give other users space.
Forest walks are at their most atmospheric in the morning, when mist may linger over low ground and birdsong carries through the trees. They are also a practical option in summer evenings, when the long Swedish daylight makes it possible to walk well after dinner.
- Length: Varies from 2 kilometres to longer local loops
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Surface: Gravel tracks and natural forest paths
- Best for: Flexible plans, regular walkers and peaceful surroundings
5. A longer section of the Höglandsleden
Experienced walkers can use Eksjö as a base for exploring sections of the Höglandsleden, a long-distance trail through the Småland highlands. Rather than treating the entire trail as a single day walk, choose a manageable section and arrange transport at the start or finish if necessary. Local maps and tourist information are important, since rural bus services can be limited and not every trailhead is easy to reach without a car.
The landscape along longer routes typically includes coniferous forest, open clearings, small lakes, boggy ground and rocky rises. This gives the walk more variety than a simple woodland loop, but it also means that navigation and preparation matter. Carry enough water, food and battery power for your phone, and do not assume that every section has shops, toilets or reliable mobile coverage.
A section of the Höglandsleden is a good choice for hikers who want a full-day experience rather than a sightseeing stroll. It also provides a way to see the quieter countryside beyond Eksjö’s famous wooden centre. If you are staying for several nights, ask locally about current trail conditions and the most convenient access point.
- Length: Choose a section to match your available time
- Difficulty: Moderate to demanding, depending on the section
- Surface: Forest trails, gravel roads and uneven natural ground
- Best for: Full-day hiking and a deeper experience of the highlands
How to choose between Eksjö walking routes
Your ideal route depends on the type of day you want. The historic centre is the best option for architecture, cafés and an easy introduction to Eksjö. Hunsnäsen offers a more traditional recreational walk, with water and woodland close to town. Skurugata is the strongest choice for dramatic scenery, while the Höglandsleden suits walkers who want distance and a more remote feeling.
Families with young children may find the old town and shorter woodland paths easiest. Hunsnäsen can work well for older children who are comfortable walking on roots and uneven ground. Skurugata is more suitable for families who are confident on rocks and can supervise children closely near steep or slippery sections.
If you have only half a day, combine the old town with a shorter section near Hunsnäsen. With a full day, you can spend the morning in the wooden centre and travel to Skurugata in the afternoon. Dedicated hikers should reserve a complete day for a selected section of the Höglandsleden.
When to go walking in Eksjö
Late spring and summer provide the longest days and the easiest conditions for combining several walks. The forest is green, cafés are open and there is plenty of daylight for a trip to Skurugata. Summer can also bring mosquitoes, especially near still water and damp woodland, so insect repellent is worth packing.
Autumn is one of the most attractive seasons for walking routes around Eksjö. The changing leaves add colour to Hunsnäsen and the surrounding forests, while cooler temperatures make longer hikes comfortable. Rain is common enough that waterproof shoes and a jacket should be part of your plan.
Winter has its own appeal, particularly in the wooden town centre. Snow can make the streets and forest look beautiful, but natural trails may become icy, wet or difficult to follow. Check the weather forecast and local conditions before heading to Skurugata. Spring can be muddy, yet it is a rewarding time for quiet walks and fresh forest growth.
Practical tips for walking in Eksjö
- Wear suitable footwear: Trainers are fine for the old town, but forest routes and Skurugata are safer in shoes with good grip.
- Carry water and snacks: Facilities are concentrated in the town, and rural paths may have no shops or cafés.
- Use a current map: Printed maps or an offline map are helpful when exploring trails outside the centre.
- Check the forecast: Rain can quickly make rocks, roots and boardwalks slippery.
- Respect the countryside: Sweden’s right of public access allows people to enjoy nature responsibly, but it also requires care for wildlife, landowners and other visitors.
- Leave no litter: Take rubbish with you and avoid disturbing plants or animals.
- Plan transport: Skurugata and longer trail sections are easier to reach by car, bicycle or a carefully checked local bus connection.
- Tell someone your plan: For longer or remote hikes, share your route and expected return time.
Where to stay for the best walks in Eksjö
Staying in or close to the town centre makes it easy to begin a historic walk without driving. It also gives you access to restaurants, cafés and local services after a day outdoors. Accommodation near the centre is particularly convenient if your visit is focused on the wooden town and short city walks.
For Hunsnäsen and the forest trails, choose accommodation with straightforward access to the outskirts or enough parking for a short drive. If Skurugata is a priority, check the route before booking and allow time for the journey to the reserve. A central base still works well, since the nature reserve is close enough for a half-day excursion.
Eksjö is compact, but the walking experiences around it are varied. You can spend one day moving between historic buildings and another following forest paths beside a quiet lake. That combination makes the town a rewarding destination for a short break, especially for travellers who prefer to explore at a slower pace.
A simple walking plan for a weekend in Eksjö
First day: history and Hunsnäsen
Begin with a relaxed circuit of Eksjö’s old town, allowing time for the church, museum and wooden lanes. Stop for lunch in the centre, then continue to Hunsnäsen for an afternoon beside the lake. If you prefer a shorter day, walk only part of the shoreline and return before sunset.
Second day: Skurugata or the highlands
Choose Skurugata for a compact but memorable nature excursion. Explore the gorge, climb towards Skuruhatt and return to Eksjö for an evening meal. Alternatively, set aside the full day for a selected section of the Höglandsleden. This option requires more planning but rewards you with a quieter and more extensive highland experience.
With its historic wooden streets, accessible lake paths and rugged forest scenery, Eksjö offers walking routes for almost every pace. Start in the centre, add Hunsnäsen for an easy nature break, and make time for Skurugata if you want the most distinctive landscape near town.