Vantage Points
Småland offers diverse landscapes with vantage points that provide stunning views. From sparkling lakes and deep forests to picturesque villages and rolling meadows – there’s something for everyone. Hike to a cliff, visit a lookout tower, or discover a hidden gem and enjoy the beauty of nature. Let Småland’s landscapes become a memorable part of your adventure.
Skuru Hatt, Eksjö
A climb along Skurugata is an exciting trip that requires solid shoes and a warm sweater. Skurugata is a Swedish canyon with high mountain faces and an unusual plant environment including, among ot…
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A climb along Skurugata is an exciting trip that requires solid shoes and a warm sweater. Skurugata is a Swedish canyon with high mountain faces and an unusual plant environment including, among others, mountain mosses. Above the gap lies Skuruhatt with an endless view of the surroundings. “The hat” is one of Småland’s hightest points with its 337 meters above sea level.
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Långe Jan
Located on the southern tip of Ottenby Bird Observatory, Långe Jan is Sweden’s tallest lighthouse, standing impressively at 42 meters high. Långe Jan is one of Sweden’s most famous lighthouses and …
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Located on the southern tip of Ottenby Bird Observatory, Långe Jan is Sweden’s tallest lighthouse, standing impressively at 42 meters high. Långe Jan is one of Sweden’s most famous lighthouses and an iconic symbol of Öland. With its characteristic white structure and black band, it is a popular sight on many postcards and photographs. It was built over two years and was completed in 1785.
Originally, Långe Jan was an open coal-fired lighthouse, but over the years, it has used both coal oil and kerosene as fuel. In 1948, the lighthouse was electrified and modernized. Despite its official name, “Ölands södra udde,” it is the nickname Långe Jan that has stuck with the public. The name originates from the medieval chapel of St. John (Jan) that once stood at the old fishing village of Kyrkhamn on Öland’s southern tip. According to history, it was the workers who gave the lighthouse its nickname.
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Brahehus
The castle ruin Brahehus is located 270 meter above sea level, 180 meter above Lake Vättern, which gives you a spectacular view. Sweden’s highest situated motorway, the so-called Vätterleden (E4), …
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The castle ruin Brahehus is located 270 meter above sea level, 180 meter above Lake Vättern, which gives you a spectacular view. Sweden’s highest situated motorway, the so-called Vätterleden (E4), runs just east of Brahehus. Brahehus is located at the motorway, and there is a rest area, restaurant and gas station with a view of Vättern and Visingsö.
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Hultaklint, Lädja
The mountain Hultaklint lies 290 meter above sea level and has a wonderful view that overlooks three districts. The ending of Viktor Rydberg’s novel Singoalla: A Mediaeval Legend is set here. In hi…
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The mountain Hultaklint lies 290 meter above sea level and has a wonderful view that overlooks three districts. The ending of Viktor Rydberg’s novel Singoalla: A Mediaeval Legend is set here. In his young years, Rydberg was an informant at Berg’s mansion and was fascinated by the romantically situated cave at Hultaklint. The place is therefore known as “Singoalla’s Cave”.
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Långe Erik
The lighthouse Långe Erik, officially known as “Öland’s northern cape,” was built between 1844 and 1845 and stands 32 meters above ground.
The origin of the name is unknown, but it is believe…
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The lighthouse Långe Erik, officially known as “Öland’s northern cape,” was built between 1844 and 1845 and stands 32 meters above ground.
The origin of the name is unknown, but it is believed to have been formed similarly to Långe Jan, the more famous lighthouse on Öland. Like many other lighthouses, initially, whale oil was used as fuel, followed by kerosene. In the 1940s, the lighthouse was electrified, and in 1976, Långe Erik was automated.
Today, Långe Erik is a popular tourist attraction with many visitors during the summer months, as visitors climb the 132 steps to the top of the lighthouse. During the summer, ice cream, coffee, and souvenirs are also offered at the foot of the lighthouse, making it a pleasant stop for both tourists and locals alike.
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Idhöjden, Norra Kvill
Norra Kvill National Park is located about 19 kilometers northwest of Vimmerby. In the park, you will find the viewpoint Idhöjden, which stands 45 meters above the lakes’ surface, offering views of the two lakes Stora Idgölen and Lilla Idgölen, as well as the marsh Dalskärret.
Norra Kvill National Park is located about 19 kilometers northwest of Vimmerby. In the park, you will find the viewpoint Idhöjden, which stands 45 meters above the lakes’ surface, offering views of the two lakes Stora Idgölen and Lilla Idgölen, as well as the marsh Dalskärret.
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Garpens Fyr
The endless view from the top of the lighthouse, combined with the lush island, makes it an oasis in Kalmar Strait. A very special experience, to look out over Kalmar strait from a small island. It…
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The endless view from the top of the lighthouse, combined with the lush island, makes it an oasis in Kalmar Strait. A very special experience, to look out over Kalmar strait from a small island. It is also possible to stay the night on the island, and there is a cafeteria. The boat to Garpen’s lighthouse leaves from Bergkvara.
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Little Rock Lake
High amongst the trees with outstanding views of the Swedish forest and lakes, you’ll find Europe’s longest Zipline course. The course includes a 17m-high lookout tower which offers phenomenal view…
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High amongst the trees with outstanding views of the Swedish forest and lakes, you’ll find Europe’s longest Zipline course. The course includes a 17m-high lookout tower which offers phenomenal views of the forest landscape and four pristine lakes. To reach it, you’ll need to venture 25m across a suspension bridge.
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Grännaberget
The Kaffestugan at Grännaberget is a wonderful spot for anyone looking for a break with a spectacular view. Here, you can enjoy a panoramic vista that stretches over Gränna, Lake Vättern, and Visin…
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The Kaffestugan at Grännaberget is a wonderful spot for anyone looking for a break with a spectacular view. Here, you can enjoy a panoramic vista that stretches over Gränna, Lake Vättern, and Visingsö, with Västergötland in the distance and Omberg and Östergötland to the north. To the south, you’ll see the Röttle and Västanå nature reserves, while the deep Holaved forests stretch out behind you. The beautiful nature is sure to work up an appetite, and at Kaffestugan, you’ll find an exquisite selection of coffee, pastries, and sandwiches made with freshly baked bread. A perfect place for relaxation and delightful culinary experiences!
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Nykulla lookout tower, Tjureda
Nykulla lookout tower (‘utkikstorn’) 25 kilometers north of Växjö is cared for by the local community of the neighbourhood. It is 25 meters high and has a magnificent view over a typical, Småland f…
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Nykulla lookout tower (‘utkikstorn’) 25 kilometers north of Växjö is cared for by the local community of the neighbourhood. It is 25 meters high and has a magnificent view over a typical, Småland farmers’ landscape. In clear weather you can see ten of the neighbourhood’s churches. Also in the tower is a folk museum.
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A few more great places
The area around Aboda Klint is a nature reserve that showcases a variety of natural landscapes, from cultivated areas with patches of deciduous forest groves and forested ridges to almost wilderness-like forest terrain. From the so-called Aboda Klint, a cliff approximately 40 meters high, you have a breathtaking view of both the forested and cultivated lands as well as the small lake Kleven.
At the top of the 70-meter-high Garpendansberget, you will find several vantage points and a gazebo offering a view over Gamleby and Gamleby Bay. The artist Jan Pol Jerzy Przybyl has created art along a 300-meter-long rock face. Along the rock wall, you can view sculptures depicting figures from local legends. Here, you will find trolls, nymphs, elves, dragons, and many other characters. These artworks blend seamlessly with nature, creating an eventful walk along the mountain.
Vantage points with panoramic views over the Småland landscape. Gisseskalle is a mountain 234 meters above sea level, about 100 meters above Lake Gissen.
On the western shore of Lake Rymmen lies the Högakull Nature Reserve, a meadow beautifully located on a steep slope towards the lake. The view over the lake and its islands is breathtaking. The meadow has been mowed for a very long time, likely since the Iron Age.
Orange markings show the way up to the vantage point at Illerberget in Tranås. With views over Lake Sommen and its surroundings, you can enjoy a picnic or a peaceful moment at the top. Along the way, simple nature is interrupted by more challenging sections and obstacles.
Kulbacken in Västervik offers several attractions and a wonderful view of the town. Here, you will find Västervik Museum and Uno’s Tower, which is the highest point in Västervik, from where you can see the entire town.
At the old lookout tower on Idö, you can experience a piece of living history as the lookout remains untouched since it was decommissioned in February 1986. From the roof, you can see several miles over land and sea. On clear days, you can see the northern tip of Öland.
Smålands Taberg is one of the most famous places in the region. The mountain is visible from afar as it rises more than 100 meters higher than its surroundings, about 343 meters above sea level. Its significance to the landscape is hard to overestimate, and the view from the top is magnificent.
Tomtabacken is the highest “peak” of the South Swedish Highlands at 376.5 meters above sea level. It is the highest point in all of Götaland. Here, you will find a lookout tower offering a panoramic view of Småland’s nature. The lookout tower is a wartime observation tower, donated by the Kalmar Air Force Wing.
Cycling Tours in Småland
Hop on the saddle and set out on a cycling tour in …
Nature camping
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