Through the Kingdom of Glass to Orrefors

Nestled in the vast smallland forest lies Målerås, a genuine place of use where glassmaking has been at the center for just over a century. The bike tour offers a unique blend of nature, lakes, mysticism, design and crafts, and not least the emigrant countryside.

Målerås is part of Glasriket, an area around Kronoberg and Kalmar counties where mouth-blown glass has been manufactured since 1742. Over the years, many glassblowing techniques have been experimented with and today you as a visitor here meet both utility glass and world-class art glass. Almost all glassworks offer their visitors to try blowing glass.

In Orrefors there is Orranäs glassworks where you can go on guided tours. The old bar iron hammer Hammarsmedjan has been renovated and works. There is also the opportunity for guided tours, and also a Smékafé. Overnight stay at Målerås vandrarhem B&B which is housed in the newly renovated railway hotel from 1890. The hostel can offer fresh single, double and multi-bed rooms. A breakfast buffet is served each morning. In the immediate area there are excellent walking areas and several lakes that are suitable for fishing. This bicycle package has a child discount on 50% from five years up to 12 years.

You cycle on village roads and old country roads with low traffic, but there is cycling shorter distances on more busy roads to get to and from the low-traffic road network.

Day 1 - Glass factory environments, bathing lakes and Småland wilderness

hotelMålerås Hostel B&B

restaurantTravel food and evening meal

directions_bike34 km

You cycle on a mixture of dirt roads and paved small roads and can feel the scent of forest and lake while enjoying the tranquility and the Småland wilderness and see the pastures, stone walls and the characteristic red cottages. On the bike ride you pass idyllic villages, older glassworks environments, bathing lakes and the Barkadammen with memories from the raft era. There are several reasons for upsetting stops along the way, both planned and improvised. Many of the glassworks have well-preserved working environments, including in Orrefors where the old exhibition hall has been transformed into a museum, and the buildings are worthy of admiration for a while.

Back in Målerås you can take part in the fascinating spectacle that it is to see the glowing glass mass formed into magnificent crystal sculptures of various kinds. In the shop in Målerås you can buy crystal products and jewelery and in the Glassblow room there are some of Sweden's most skilled studio glassblowers represented. The craft house houses seven local artisans, with everything from ceramics, sheepskin, jewelry and jam. Products of leather can be found in the Leather Factory's shop.

At Wärdshuset Hyttan you can have lunch, and in summer also your evening meal. From a panoramic window you look straight into the glassblower workshop.

Day 2 - Breakfast and Departure

restaurantBreakfast

After a good night's sleep, a delicious breakfast awaits before it's time to check out. Welcome back!