Tabergs-å-leden

Immerse yourself in both nature and industrial history during your hike along the Tabergs-å-leden trail, not far from the city centre. The walk winds its way through lush greenery and along the rippling water of Taberg’s river. Along the way, you’ll visit remnants of the area’s industrial past.

This 18 km-long hiking trail runs between Månsarp station and Jordbron by Munksjö lake in Jönköping. You can choose to walk the entire trail or just parts of it. It is close to both public transportation and urban areas.

The trail is easy to walk, but hilly in parts. The elevation loss from the start of the trail at Vederydssjön to the end at Munksjön is about 143 metres. It is easy to find the trail, which is marked with green trail markers on posts and trees.

An industrially historic trail

In terms of cultural history, Taberg has been significant as Sweden's southernmost mining area (iron mining) and in the industrial development of Jönköping. Along Taberg’s river, a rich industrial heritage is reflected in the millponds and dams that still exist in the locality, which have their origins from the medieval mills. The cultural history of the area is also linked to the ironworks established in the 17th century and the significant expansions of power stations that were made for industrial establishments in the early 20th century.

Today there are twelve dams/waterfalls with millponds from Masugnsdamm down to Kvarndammen at Hovslätts open air museum. Along the trail there are signs with information about the dams and what has been produced along the river. Rest areas and other facilities are marked on the map.

Take a detour to Tabergstoppen

At Gruvgården at the foot of Taberg mountain there is a large picnic area with barbecue facilities. From here you can also walk up to the summit called Tabergstoppen, visit the nature reserve, and take in the beautiful view. The hike takes about half an hour up terrain that is steep in parts. During the summer months, Tabergstoppen has a restaurant and café, a mini-golf course and toilet facilities. The summit has a beautiful view all year round.

At Gruvgården there is also a bat museum, and the site is the starting point for guided tours of the Taberg mine.

Attractions along the trail

From its start, the trail offers beautiful views over the lake in Månsarp. At the northern part of Månsarp’s lake you will find a picnic area.

A little further along the valley you will come to the community of Taberg, which sits at the foot of one of Sweden's southernmost ore mountains and has a rich industrial past. The mountain is a powerful sight to behold even from the bottom of the hiking trail and from the top you get a mile-wide view of the area. Hotel Taberg is located nearby and offers accommodation, as well as food and drink for hikers.

In Norrahammar, the industrial and community museum is well worth a visit. There are fine exhibitions here showing how ore was mined in Taberg and how the smelting furnaces worked. A variety of products manufactured at Norrahammar's ironworks during its industrial past are also on display. In the same building you will also find the Radio Museum.

Today, the old ironworks premises in the centre of Norrahammar have been transformed into a cultural hotspot. Thanks to several different entrepreneurs who have set up business in the charming old buildings, you can find different establishments where you can, for example, treat yourself to a coffee and cake, buy furniture, clothes, ceramics and enjoy many other lovely things.

A good tip is to stop and eat a packed lunch by the millpond at Hovslätts open-air museum. The millpond is the northernmost waterfall on the Taberg river. An old trip hammer, ‘Hofslets hammare’, was probably located here in the 17th century. Records mention that in 1630, a hammer forge with a hydraulic hammer and anvil was used at Jönköping Castle.

How to get here

You can join the Tabergs-å-leden trail at whatever point you wish. There are bus stops and parking along the route.