Åstråket – a lovely hike along the Svartån River

The Åstråket route takes you past magnificent parks, wild nature, historic buildings, and the bustling city center. And, of course, there are plenty of wonderful spots to stop for a coffee break. You can read about some of the highlights you’ll pass along the way here. If you’d like to discover even more places, you can take the city’s digital guided tour—more on that below.

Karlslund and Hästhagen

In Karlslund, you’ll find cultural history, recreational activities, and lush greenery. At the foot of the stately manor house, you’ll discover historic buildings and beautiful old gardens. There’s plenty to explore here if you’d like to take a short detour—including craft shops, a museum, Tekniska kvarnen, and all the wonderful historic preservation efforts at Ovolin.

A short walk away, you’ll come to the manor’s old pastures, Hästhagen. Today, it’s an oasis of summer fun. Here you can play mini-golf, beach volleyball, and disc golf, go swimming, and paddle a canoe. If you need to recharge your energy right away, there’s also a small ice cream stand. And be sure to cross the bridge over to Strömsborg, the newly renovated café that’s been serving coffee and pastries since 1921.

Impressive buildings and historic districts

Check out all the historic buildings along the Svartån River, such as the Kallbadhuset, Frimis, and the Örebro Theater. The Kulturkvarteret building has already made contemporary history, with its geometric shapes and a facade that reflects both the sky and the water. The route also takes you past Örebro Castle and Wadköping’s picturesque wooden neighborhood. Be sure to pop in for a little fika while you’re here.

Grand parks and colorful gardens

During the walk, you’ll stroll past two charming allotment gardens—one in Örnsro, the other near Alnängarna. Here, the gardens are in full swing. Among the tiny cottages, potatoes, artichokes, corn, and carrots are growing in abundance. On certain days, the associations open their gardens to the public. Then you can take a closer look at all the lush crops.

Things are a bit more lively in the lush Torsten Ehremark Park and Slottsparken. Here you can sit by the water, smell the flowers, and watch the willow branches sway over the Svartån River. Between Slottsparken and Wadköping, you’ll find the magnificent gardens of Stadsparken. Tip: Be sure to take a short detour to Rosengården, Magnolialunden, and Rhododendronparken for some floral inspiration. If you have children with you, Stora Holmen is practically a must-see. The same goes for the sourdough pizzas at the cozy greenhouse café in Stadsträdgården.

A lock and two small harbors

Of course, you’ll also pass beautiful bridges, harbors, and boats. Outside the castle, there are both stone bridges and remnants of watermills dating back to the 12th century. Just a stone’s throw away, between Slottsparken and Stadsparken, you’ll reach the guest harbor. It’s hard to miss, with all the stately yachts moored along the banks of the Svartån.

If you follow the river past Wadköping, you’ll soon reach Slussen—the gateway to the Svartån since 1888. From there, it’s just a short walk to the Small Boat Harbor. In addition to being home to 250 boats of all shapes and sizes, it’s also a popular spot for fishing. You can fish here for free—and if you’re lucky, you might hook a roach, bream, or perch.

The Nature Reserve at Lake Hjälmaren

The final destination of the Åstråket trail? Perhaps Örebro’s most beautiful nature reserve. Near Oset and Rynningeviken, you can stroll through wilderness, wetlands, and pastures. Say hello to the cows and spot birds along the shores of Lake Hjälmaren. There are several rest areas and rest cabins here where you can stop for a picnic or barbecue. Would you rather have your food served to you? Then you can round off your long walk with local flavors at Naturens hus—and a cup of coffee with homemade treats. After a hike this long, that’s only fair.

Digital guidance

Would you like to discover more exciting places along the Åstråket? The City of Örebro has a digital guide featuring 31 stops, each with a brief historical story. You can both listen to and read about each location. Maybe you’ll find some new favorites along the way?