More out

With Ostkustleden as a common denominator, the project Mera ut became a successful tool for strengthening nature tourism in Oskarshamn municipality.
– The project has been crucial for approaching a modern, attractive hiking trail where landowners, businesses, associations, and the municipality collaborate towards the same goal, says project manager Niina Nordlund.

The 160-kilometer-long Ostkustleden, with eight stages and just as many overnight cabins, was in need of renovation and marketing. When Döderhults Nature Conservation Association contacted Oskarshamn municipality for project support, the municipality suggested a broader approach that would not only ensure the trail's future and spread awareness of its existence but also develop activities along the route. In the dialogue, the project Mera ut was born – a collaboration project between Astrid Lindgren's Hembygd and Kustlandet.

Niina Nordlund was hired as project manager and became the spider in the web of associations, municipal and regional actors, other projects, and a number of landowners and businesses that wanted to collaborate around the trail. The work humbly started from the local nature conservation association's ambitions.
– At the same time, we aimed at a new target group, today's modern hikers, who have different wishes than when the trail was built over 40 years ago, Niina explains.

With the help of volunteer work, municipal activities, and private suppliers, bridges and boardwalks were renovated, the marking was improved, signs and information boards were set up, and the trail was made accessible digitally via Naturkartan. A cabin inventory was conducted, and a shorter section was also made accessible.

In parallel, lectures, workshops, a study trip to Skåne, Ostkustleden's day, and individual business development processes for companies along the trail were arranged. This resulted in more knowledge, increased understanding, and a broader range of new activities: fly fishing, outdoor cooking, yoga-mindfulness-hiking, trail riding, and SUP paddling in the archipelago, as well as packages with accommodation, food, and hiking. The business network Mera ut is vibrant and continues the development journey together; among other things, the group has implemented the business development program Kurbits Outdoor.

More out

”Ostkustleden is the municipality's flagship when it comes to sustainable nature tourism.”