Skeppshult: Craftsmanship, Bicycle Making and Mill History

Skeppshult combines craft production with paths along the Nissan and a long history of milling. Bicycles are made here, and Skeppshults Gjuteri makes cast-iron household products. There is also a historic mill, a former guesthouse now used as a school, and the Nissanleden between Skeppshult and Smålandsstenar. This brings together a range of interests for travellers: industrial production, local history and a walk by the river. Skeppshult campsite on the Kanotled Nissan also has a wind shelter, barbecue area, firewood supply and toilet.

Bicycle Making and Cast Iron

Skeppshultcykeln makes all its bicycles in Skeppshult. The work includes hand-welding, lacing the wheels and assembly. The foundry also has its own distinctive role: according to Skeppshults Gjuteri, it is the only remaining foundry in Scandinavia that makes cast-iron household products. Bicycle making and cast iron thus represent two different areas of manufacturing in the same place.

The Skeppshult Factory Store is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00. If you plan to visit, check the opening hours before setting out. On weekdays, it stays open later than it does at the weekend.

Mill and Local History

Bölaryds kvarn dates back to the 17th century. One stage of the Kanotled Nissan ends at Bölaryds museikvarn. There, the Bölaryds kvarnförening holds mill days and demonstrates how flour is milled. If you want to see the demonstration, check the dates in advance. On mill days, the mill’s history is accompanied by a practical demonstration of one of the tasks involved.

A former guesthouse dating from the 1650s has been preserved in Skeppshult and is now used as a school. Together with Bölaryds kvarn, which dates back to the 17th century, it points to different aspects of local history: the milling tradition on the one hand, and a building now used as a school on the other.

Walking by the Nissan

The Nissanleden is an approximately 8-kilometre walking trail between Smålandsstenar and Skeppshult. It follows the Nissan and extends at its southern end to Skeppshult’s floodlit exercise course. Its length, riverside route and endpoint give the walk a clear framework, offering a different kind of activity from the town’s craft and historical attractions.

Planning Your Stay

The options vary considerably when planning your day: the Factory Store has weekday and weekend opening hours, mill days are tied to event dates, and the Nissanleden is an approximately eight-kilometre walking route. You can choose between a visit to the store, a flour-milling demonstration and a walk, depending on your interests.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Gislaved, Anderstorp, Broaryd, Burseryd, Smålandsstenar, Reftele, Hestra, Bosebo.

Go to the main travel overview: Gislaved.