Popular among outdoor enthusiasts looking for a snack
The nature reserve at the mouth of the Svartån River where it flows into Lake Hjälmaren is just a long walk or bike ride from downtown Örebro. Here you’ll find rest areas, picnic spots, and birdwatching towers. In winter, it’s a great place for ice skating and kick sledding. Plus, the picnic spots are a hit with weekenders looking for a hot dog!
From a motley backstreet to an oasis for the people of Örebro
But what is now an urban oasis has a history that is, to say the least, checkered. The area came into being in the 19th century when the water level of Lake Hjälmaren was lowered by nearly two meters. The idea was to create new farmland, but the harvests were meager and the land soon began to grow over again. Oset, south of the river, developed a rich bird life, something that ornithologist Erik Rosenberg discovered. And as early as the 1940s, the nature reserve was established.
On the north side, however, things were far bleaker. Everything from a military training area to industrial zones and even a landfill was established here. Starting in the early 1990s and continuing for the next twenty years, the landscape underwent a revitalization. The land was remediated, and new wetlands, pastures, and meadows were established. Örebro’s ugly backyard became an attractive destination for day trips!
Outdoor recreation near the city – all year round
Today, the area boasts beautiful and varied natural scenery with a rich diversity of birdlife and plant life. Visitors will find rest huts, picnic areas, and scenic spots. There are also bike and walking trails, as well as three rest huts: Venastugan, Rävgångsstugan, and Erik Rosenbergs stuga, where you can stop in to eat, have a snack, or warm up.
If you’d like to enjoy something even more delicious than your own packed lunch, you can visit Stora Hjortstorp Farm or Naturens Hus, both of which have a café and restaurant. Perfect for warming up and relaxing after a pleasant winter walk. When the lake freezes over, skating rinks are plowed , and you can rent both skates and kicksleds.
Directions and a map are available at naturkartan.se.
More nature experiences in Örebro
