Sjöboknäppan runt, Östgötaleden

The recommended starting point is at Slaggbron, where the description is based on, or from the nature reserve Sjöbo-Knäppans parking lot. Since it is a circular route, you can of course start anywhere on it.

From the beginning of the 19th century until 1961, slag, residues from Motala workshop's metal production, were driven over the bridge and tipped on the slag hill on the other side. The slag bridge crosses Motala ström, just before the outlet to Lake Boren.

The hike goes through the Sjöbo-knäppan nature reserve which is close to the lake. A viewing platform is located right on the beach which is especially rich in seabirds in winter, even white-tailed eagles can be seen regularly patrolling along Motala ström and lake Boren. The entire reserve is located on old cultivated land and has been used as grazing and mowing land for a long time. The first part of the hike, from the slag bridge to "Gröna plan" is adapted för accessibility.

"Gröna plan" is a place where the people of Motala brought their food sack baskets to the beginning of the 20th century. Here you can swim in Knäppaviken, where there is a bathing jetty. There is also a fire site. At Sjöbo croft (sjöbotorpet) there is a toilet. The section between the slag bridge and the car park after Sjöbo croft is adapted for accessibility. There is a bird tower for those who want to look at birds over Boren's reeds.

In the waterfront location, you walk on ridges that go through swamp forest and up to a calcareous fen, Hulthagekärret, which is a place for many orchids.

The hike continues on different sized, small roads with houses and pastures and then on larger paths where you walk a longer part through arable land and then get out on the forest road. The marking then shows a longer gravel road through arable land that ends in a residential area, Ekenenäs. The last part is on a path in a forest where you are close the slag bridge again.