This small municipality near Gothenburg has several 18th-century wooden buildings and a restored water mill. Its lake Aspen draws swimmers and anglers in summer.
Lerum, a town 20 minutes east of Gothenburg by commuter train, invites you to paddle across interconnected lakes, hike forested trails like the 71-kilometer Gotaleden, and visit Nääs Castle, a 19th-century estate hosting craft workshops. The Säveån river cuts through a nature reserve with stone bridges from the 1700s, while Öijared Resort includes golf courses and lakeside relaxation areas. Local cafes serve cinnamon buns made with wheat from nearby farms, and the Lerum Live app helps you find trails. Direct trains connect to Gothenburg, letting you switch between city visits and time spent in woodlands. Water activities range from fishing in Lake Sävelången to canoe routes passing under old stone arches.
Walking Paths in Säveån Nature Reserve
Follow five kilometers of trails along the Säveån river, passing stone bridges built by local stonemasons in the 1700s. Watch for otter tracks on muddy banks and listen for kingfishers darting above the water. Climb Goråsspåren's steep path in the reserve's eastern section to reach a flat rock overlooking Lake Aspen. For multi-day hikes, the Gotaleden trail links Gothenburg to Alingsås, with train stations along Lerum's section letting you shorten the route. Families with strollers use Stamsjöspåret's 3.5-kilometer loop around Lake Lilla Stamsjön, where wide gravel paths circle the shoreline.
Hands-On Activities at Nääs Castle
Join daily tours of Nääs Castle's 19th-century rooms filled with original furniture and hand-painted wallpaper. Spend three hours in the woodshop carving bowls or try blacksmithing techniques taught in the estate's forge. Walk through gardens planted with rhododendrons and magnolias, following paths that wind past three ornamental ponds. Nearby Nolhaga estate displays hedge mazes and flower beds designed by botanist Jonas Alströmer in the 1800s. Check the castle website for July craft markets and August performances of Shakespeare plays in the courtyard.
Golfing and Lakeside Relaxation at Öijared
Hit balls on Öijared Resort's 63 golf holes divided between pine-shaded fairways and open courses along Lake Öijen. Beginners sign up for Saturday morning swing clinics at the driving range, with club rentals included. Cool off after your round in the cedarwood sauna facing the lake, then borrow kayaks to paddle past small islands. The onsite restaurant prepares dishes like potato-crusted whitefish caught in Lake Mjörn, served with chive butter. Day visitors get access to six hiking trails and the gym for 250 SEK.
Canoe Trips Through Connected Waterways
Start your canoe journey at Sjölyckan center in Tollered, where eight linked lakes form a chain stretching northeast. Paddle two days from Torskabotten to Lake Ömmern, carrying your boat 200 meters between waterways to reach islands with sandy beaches. For shorter trips, launch at Nääs Fabriker and follow red markers to Nääs Castle, ducking under low bridges along Säveån. Rent aluminum boats at Björboholm on Lake Mjörn to fish for pike or picnic on uninhabited islets. Grab a waterproof map from the tourist office—some channels between lakes narrow to two meters wide, edged with tall reeds.
Fishing Licenses and Local Guides
Purchase a 120 SEK annual permit to fish from Lake Sävelången's public docks, stocked with perch and pike. Between mid-May and August, fly casters wade the Säveån's shallow stretches for trout rising near rocky outcrops. The Yellow Card license (400 SEK) covers fishing rights in 50 area,, including Sävelången—children under 16 fish free with an adult. Reserve rowboats at Björboholm's dock to reach deeper waters, or book a four-hour session with Lars, who teaches lure-making techniques. Always check current rules: sections of Säveån require releasing all grayling under 30 centimeters.
Food Experiences and Community Events
Taste cardamom buns at Nääs Fabriker's bakery, operating in a former textile mill with original brick ovens. Gather chanterelles and wild blueberries with Malin during her three-hour foraging walks near Norsesund, then cook them over an open fire. Order smoked eel platters at lakeside restaurants, served with dill potatoes from gardens tended by local volunteers. Reserve spots for Thursday horseback rides through Stenkullen's pine forests or download the Lerum Live app's audio tour detailing Gråbo's 18th-century farmsteads. Some cafes host weekend baking classes—arrive early to secure a spot.
Transportation Tips and Practical Information
Board the Gothenburg commuter train's Kungsbacka line, stopping at Lerum Station and five other stations within 15 kilometers. Use the Lerum Live app's offline maps to navigate trails, with pop-up quizzes explaining abandoned mill sites near Gråbo. Pick up free trail condition reports and printed maps at Brobacken 1's tourist office, open weekdays until 5 PM. Book castle workshops and resort golf clinics at least three days ahead during summer. A small plaque near Lerum Station's east exit mentions the 1987 train incident, but most details come from talking with residents.
