Nature calling

Sweden is a fantastic place, and if you enjoy staying active, Borås is particularly wonderful. You are never far from nature here. The fact is that no one who wakes up in Borås is more than 10 minutes from the woods.

Borås is home to Rya Åsar, the most centrally located nature reserve in Sweden, and the municipality also has 11 additional protected natural areas. Using Borås as your base camp, you can enjoy some truly tough physical challenges. The city also offers much-needed recreation and spiritual experiences in nature. The area has hundreds of lakes and rivers where you can test your fishing luck. Did you know that there are game fish in these waterways? A fishing permit is required almost everywhere, but it is easy to purchase at several locations. Speaking of water, there are many great places to swim around town. At Almenäs, you can lounge on the kid-friendly beach and enjoy a delicious ice cream or two from the café. If you are on holiday with your dog, we recommend the dog-friendly beach Sjömarken, which also has a great playground for kids. Just north of Borås is Asklandabadet, which has a sandy beach, barbecue sites, a beach volleyball court and a climbing net.

Come and explore the region and city’s hills, lakes, forests, bicycle and hiking trails, and enjoy annual events for anyone who enjoys being physically active.

Hofsnäs Nature Trails and Torpa Stenhus

The Torpanäset Nature Reserve has numerous trails and you can combine a beautiful hike with fascinating history here. Choose from several hiking trails that meander along lakes, past grazing animals, and through oak and beech forests. The nature reserve has a lovely swimming beach where you can also hire a boat and go fishing. Hofsnäs Herrgård is located at the trailheads, where you will find a café and bistro, as well as a market with local products. You can also enjoy comfortable accommodation at Hofsnäs’ little beach cottage, which has access to a hot tub and sauna. Immerse yourself in history at nearby Torpa Stenhus. It is one of Sweden’s best-preserved manors from the sixteenth century. Enjoy unique architecture and the fascinating history of the castle. There is also a castle café and restaurant, as well as accommodation in the charming nearby houses.

Sjuhäradsrundan

If you want to experience Borås and its surroundings by bicycle, Sjuhäradsrundan is the perfect way to do so. Feel the wind in your hair, take in the cultural landscape and enjoy an almost entirely paved 150 km bike trail, which will take you through hilly terrain without much of a struggle. Sjuhäradsrundan primarily follows an old railway embankment. 120 km of the trail is also completely car free, so this is the perfect cycling experience for the whole family. The trail offers plenty to see and experience along the way, as well as a wonderful selection of accommodation, restaurants and cafés. Tip!

For experiences in nature on the water, you can rent canoes at Borås Camping, and kayaks and SUP boards at Vildland.

Vänga Mosse Trail

Vänga Mosse is located just half an hour from Borås. It is a beautiful, easy walk, much of which is adapted for accessibility and on wide wooden boardwalks. The bird life here is plentiful, and the area is suitable for families looking for an adventure or for the beauty of nature. Vänga Kvarncafé & Bageri is located 500 metres from the trail and is the perfect place to have coffee surrounded by nature. The old mill has been here since the mid-nineteenth century and is used to grind flour as it used to be made. If you want to learn more about how the flour is ground, a visit to their museum is a must. It’s a wonderful activity to combine with a hiking package that includes a hike and food.

Rya Åsar

This nature reserve is like its own world of beautiful, varied nature, and it is located almost in the centre of Borås. The reserve has just about everything: leafy deciduous forests, groves, meadows, viewpoints, pine forests, lakes, tall mountains and deep valleys. You can walk in Linnaeus’ footsteps: at Grönbo, you will find a sunken lane that Linnaeus used on his trip through Västergötland in 1746, and a memorial stone is located by it to the south. Rya Åsar is also Sweden’s most centrally located nature reserve, which makes it easy to combine your hike with everything the city has to offer. You can book a hiking package with accommodation at the city’s hotel through Outdoor Support.

Sjuhärad Trail

The Sjuhärad Trail is a 140-km-long hiking trail that begins in Hindås and continues through Bollebygd, Borås and Ulricehamn to Mullsjö. The trail is split into ten stages and takes you through varied environments and beautiful natural scenery with plenty to see – from peaceful, quiet forest passages and farmland to sections that pass through cities. There are several rest stops along the trail as well as pleasant places to spend the night. You can stay at a hostel, hotel or in the great outdoors. Since 1991, the Sjuhärad Trail has been part of the E1 European long-distance path, which begins in Italy. In Sweden, the E1 goes between Varberg and Grövelsjön. The Sjuhärad Trail passes several other hiking trails, including Kypegården, Vildmarksleden and Redvägsleden.

Borås is truly a mecca for any type of excercise with plenty of opportunities to get moving, whether you are downtown or outside of the city centre.

In summer, there are plenty of wonderful outdoor facilities, including the big exercise area, Ymer, where you can play Frisbee golf, beach volleyball and boule, and go hiking, running and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. In winter, the area becomes an outstanding ski facility, with amazing cross-country skiing conditions at Borås Skidstadion.

If you’re looking for a tough workout, there are several chain gyms; if you would prefer something more soothing like yoga, then Yogacentrum and Usyoga are perfect for you. Borås has also been swept up in the padel trend and you can reserve a court at one of the city’s many facilities.

If you would rather watch sports than play them, head over to Borås Arena. The dress code at IF Elfsborg’s home arena is yellow, and the Guliganerna – who may be Sweden’s very best fans – keep spirits high in the stands. Take on an active challenge:

Linnémarschen

The Linnémarschen walking event has been held in Borås for over 40 years. It is currently Sweden’s biggest walking event, and involves hiking through the beautiful Rya Åsar nature reserve. For two days, you can choose among several different stretches to walk or run, ranging from an accessibility-adapted 3 km route to a 57 km two-day hike, in which you spend the night in a tent. Linnémarschen is the only Swedish hike that is a member of the international IML Walking Association, which has organized hikes worldwide. linnemarschen.se

Kretsloppet

Kretsloppet is a public party and celebration of running in downtown Borås that will get your heart pumping while elevating the pulse of the city. The event has a special focus on the environment and on being a sustainable event that cultivates a love of running, public health and motivation. Several different runs are held from April to October, so regardless of your own goals and conditions, you can take part and help cultivate a love of running. Participate in one or more runs or tackle a major challenge by participating in the entire Kretsloppscupen! kretsloppetiboras.se

Borås Triathlon & Swimrun

Two physically challenging events in one weekend, based in beautiful Almenäs. Saturday offers a full Ironman distance, serving as the Swedish Championship in the long distance triathlon. On Sunday, it’s time for the Borås Swimrun, a popular event on the Swedish swim-run calendar. The competitions are arranged by Jonas Colting, a well-known Swedish triathlete, author, lecturer, entrepreneur and health influencer. The goal is to hold the best arranged triathlon for beginners, exercisers and elite participants in the most beautiful setting. borastriathlon.se borasswimrun.se

Rya Åsar Trail & MTB Challenge

After numerous lengthy hikes on the trails of the Rya Åsar nature reserve, with its beautiful scenery, viewpoints, hills, lakes and bridges, Linus Wirén and Niklas Ivarsson had the idea for this run. This event is for beginners and experienced trail runners alike. Day two is the Rya Åsar MTB event, with 64 km and 32 km distances, as well as 1.8 km for the kids. A fantastic atmosphere for participants, with plenty of spectators! ryaasartrailrun.se More workout facilities:

Borås Simarena

One of Sweden’s best swimming facilities, with a fullscale, 50-metre competition pool with bleachers, as well as a teaching pool, showers, saunas and changing rooms. This complete arena offers all kinds of swimming and water sports, including water gymnastics and rehab. It is right next door to the Alidebergsbadet outdoor facility.

Kypegården

A quick walk from downtown will take you to the Kypegården exercise area. It has illuminated trails that are perfect for running and long walks, as well as a beach with a dock, and a wood-fired sauna and cold bath.

Kransmossen

One of Borås’ biggest outdoor leisure and exercise areas with illuminated trails, an outdoor gym and obstacle course, football pitches, a playground and a boules court. Showers and dressing rooms are available on site.

Borås Tennis and Boule Center

Knalleland is home to Borås Tennis Center – the perfect place for anyone who loves racket sports. Come play tennis, padel and badminton, as well as a game of boules.

Borås is a city of athletics and has held, among other things, two Swedish Championship weeks (2014 and 2017) and Sweden’s southernmost skiing championships (2021), and will also host the Orienteering World Cup in 2022.