Knipesjön Trail

A hike near Mullsjö leads around Lake Knipesjön. We'll find an area with abundant coniferous forests and a rich cultural landscape. The region has been shaped extensively by the ice ages. The rocky ground often peeks out from the trails and forest paths. Large boulders and boulders are scattered throughout the area. In the 1850s, the lake's water level was lowered several times to create arable land. Reportedly, the lake shallowed by up to four meters during this time. The oldest farms date back to the 16th century. However, the area around the lake is rather rocky, which is why forestry and livestock farming predominate here. We begin our hike at the parking lot near the Mullsjö Ski and Orienteering Club. A service road then leads us to the actual hiking trail. We follow the directions, which suggest walking clockwise. This way, we'll see less elevation gain. Narrow paths lead through the forest to the lake. While the forest is initially dry, it becomes increasingly moist the closer we get to the lake. We can already see the lake shimmering through the trees. A small bathing hut stands directly on the lakeshore. Until 1854, Lake Knipesjön was an outflow point here, flowing westward over a raised bog. The raised bog is located just west of the path and can be glimpsed through the vegetation. We continue walking along the lakeshore through birch forests. We spot a few whooper swans in the reeds. Unfortunately, they're not in the mood for singing just yet. What a pity! On the left side of the path, we notice a embankment. This was the actual shore of the water before the lake was subsided. So, we're walking along the old lakebed. The name of the lake - Knipesjön - is said to come from the fact that the goldeneye (Swedish: Knipa) is very commonly seen there. The hamlet of Kärret, which adjoins the end of the lake, was formerly a soldiers' dwelling (croft). From 1676 to 1894, the croft housed 20 soldiers and their families. Today, the croft is privately owned. We continue following the purple markings. Over wetter areas, walkways help us keep our feet dry. We cross the Marbäcken stream over a bridge. It is said that the horizontal mill near Hovmanstorp could only be used in spring and autumn when the current was strong enough. True, the stream is currently empty. We continue through the forest along the paths. We reach the paved road from Hovmanstorp to Knipan. Between the villages, we cross the Knipan stream and see the lake again. Behind Knipan, it suddenly starts to rain. It's a shame, really, on such a beautiful day. But we continue undeterred. We have our rain gear with us. It's about a 45-minute walk back to the starting point. Finally, we reach the fork in the path with the access road to the sports center. Highlights of the tour: - Narrow, varied forest paths - Bathing huts by the lake - Lake Knipesjön

Fun and challenging route. It is known as heavy, but we think it is more of the average category.