Do you want to experience the diversity and beauty of nature in Hultsfred? Then you should visit the Knästorp nature reserve, an area with several different nature types that offer exciting discoveries and beautiful views. Here you can walk along paths and forest roads, see old house foundations and ancient monuments, enjoy flowering meadows and wetlands, and look for birds and other animals.
Knästorp nature reserve is named after the abandoned village of Knästorp, which was located here until the 1800th century. The village consisted of four farms surrounded by fields and pastures. Today you can see the remains of the village's stone walls and house foundations in the reserve. You can also find traces of human history in the form of burial mounds from the Iron Age and an old mill site by the Hagelsrum River.
The reserve has a varied nature with both deciduous and coniferous forest, open lands and wetlands. In the natural forest-like mixed forest, old oaks, beeches, lindens and hazels grow. There is also a pine forest marked by fire with dry oaks and lichens. In the open pastures, orchids, marigolds, meadow violets and other plants that attract butterflies and bees bloom. In the moist areas by Hagelsrumsån you can see frogs, salamanders and birds such as piping plovers, sparrows and kingfishers.
Knästorp nature reserve is a perfect destination for those who want to get close to nature in Hultsfred. You can park at Stockholmsvägen in Målilla or at Hagelsrumsvägen where there are information boards about the reserve. There are several marked trails to follow in the reserve, as well as a barbecue area by the Hagelsrumsån where you can take a break or coffee. The reserve is open all year round but remember to keep the dog on a leash and not to pick any plants or mushrooms.
If you want to know more about the Knästorp nature reserve, you can visit Visit Hultsfred's website where you can read more about the reserve's history, natural values and sights. You can also download a brochure about the reserve that includes a map of the trails. Knästorp nature reserve is one of many scenic places in Hultsfred waiting to be explored by you!
