Kalmarsundsleden Stage KS8 - Stufvenäs - Bergkvara - part of Smålandsleden

Stage KS8, which starts at Stufvenäs, is perhaps the finest stretch along the entire Kalmarsundsleden. From rich lands you are led through a varied natural landscape and past seal colonies towards Torsås municipality. Here, the golden sands of Fulvik and the unique pebble ridge Örarevet await you, stretching two kilometers straight out into the strait. Along the way you pass pastures, the historic "Båtastan" in Gunnarstorp and the traces of schoolhouses, shipbuilders and sailors in Åd, Djursvik and Ragnabo. You pass Dalskär, a place that has long been a hub for camping, boatbuilding and fishing traditions before you reach the end of the stage at the cozy bathing place Badudden south of Bergkvara.

**Stuvenäs

Stuvenäs is today a popular inn and conference center. Just south of the conference building is a large Bronze Age cairn called "Blårör". The farm has been known since 1545, when Jon Firsze, who was previously the local sheriff, began to build up the homestead. In 1554, Stuvenäs was added to Värnanäs on Gustav Vasa's orders. In the 1800s Stuvenäs was inhabited by Majorskan Beate Silfversparre and her daughters. In the field outside Stuvenäs stands probably the largest tree in the municipality. An oak with a circumference of over 9.5 meters. Svartö is an island off Stuvenäs. Here is the "Dutch cemetery". In the 1670s, Sweden was at war with Denmark and Holland. The enemy fleets made several unsuccessful landing attempts along the coast. The Dutch fleet was hit by the plague and 40 Dutchmen are therefore buried on Svartö.

**Beach meadows

After Stuvenäs, the journey goes over beautiful beach meadows before the hiking trail reaches Torsås municipality.

**Fulvik, Örarevet

The Kalmarsundsleden trail runs along the coast in Torsås municipality, starting at Fulvik. Fulvik is, despite the name, a beautiful bathing place with a sandy beach. From here you can make a detour to the Örarevet nature reserve. Örarevet is a two-kilometer-long pebble ridge that juts out into Kalmarsund. The area is distinctive with juniper vegetation, rare plants and a rich bird life.

**Gunnarstorp

From the parking lot, the hiking trail goes south through the small village street and then turns into the pastures of Gunnarstorp. Down by the boathouses in Gunnarstorp is "Båtastan", which is a fenced-in area that also contains boathouses and gardens. It has a serrated shore structure with over 20 berths or boathouses and is one of the best preserved structures of its kind.

**Ed's small school

The trail follows the edge of the lake for a while and then comes up on the paved road towards Djursvik at Åds former small school. Before centralization, such small schoolhouses existed in many parts of the country.

**Djursvik

About four kilometers from Fulvik comes Bruatorpsån and then you arrive at Djursvik. Djursvik is an old cargo and shipyard site and was the largest shipbuilding town on the south-east coast. Sailing ships were built and repaired here until 1949, and the fine residential buildings were home to wooden patrons, skippers and other seafarers. Djursvik is still a popular place to live. There is also a small swimming area.

**Ragnabo

Along bird-rich bays we arrive at Ragnabo.

Dalskärs camping

In Bergkvara you first come to Enebacken and Dalskärs camping. At the campsite there is a kiosk, overnight cabins, toilets, bicycle rental, etc. On Saltskär there was once a boat builder and a small fishing port.

**Bergkvara

Bergkvara is known for its old seafaring traditions. There is an old but still functioning guest harbor. In the 1800s, Bergkvara had its heyday with one of the country's largest sailing fleets.

Some of the buildings from that time still exist and are represented by the beautiful merchant houses and skippers' cabins. If you are curious and want to know more, a tip is to visit the Maritime Museum. Just south of Bergkvara is Badudden - a bathing area in a beautiful setting.