Friluftsliv

Hike in Roslagen

From forest path to archipelago trail

Wander through forests, industrial heritage sites and coastal landscapes – or take the boat between walking stages in the archipelago. In Roslagen there are both longer trails for one or more days and shorter walks for a few hours. Follow the Roslagsleden trail, the Stockholm Archipelago Trail, the Upplandsleden trail or the Vikingaleden trail, or find a local loop near you.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HIKE?

Roslagsleden, Österåker Municipality

Step by step

Hike the Roslagen Trail

From forest and lake, through ironworks, along canal towards open sea.

The Roslagsleden trail is a total of approximately 190 kilometres long and is divided into eleven stages. Here you will find stages 5–11, which run through Österåker and Norrtälje towards Grisslehamn. Along the way, the trail passes Wira bruk, Norrtälje and the Väddö Canal, among other places, before reaching the coast and the Sea of Åland.

The stages are great for walking individually or combining into a longer trip. To see all Roslagsleden stages see naturkartan.se.

Roslagsleden Stage 6: Wira bruk–Penningby

19,9 km från den historiska bruksmiljön Wira bruk till medeltida Penningby slott. En av Roslagsledens längsta etapper genom skog, öppna marker och kulturmiljöer. Längs vägen passerar du Kvarngården, Gamla Bergshamra och Gunnsjön, med bad, berättelser och historiska spår längs vägen.

Roslagsleden Stage 5: Domarudden–Wira bruk

Den 20,3 kilometer långa etappen går från friluftsområdet Domarudden till Wira bruk, genom sjörikt skogslandskap och Trehörningsskogens naturreservat. Längs vägen passerar du Oppsjön, Holmsjön och Viren, med flera platser för bad och rast, innan leden når Wira bruk med smedjor, museum, kafé och butik.

Roslagsleden Stage 7: Penningby–Vigelsjö

På den 15,9 kilometer långa etappen från Penningby till Vigelsjö vandrar du genom skog och kulturlandskap mot Norrtälje. Längs vägen passerar du Länna kyrka, fornborgen vid Kyrksjön och flera platser för ett dopp. I staden följer leden strandpromenaden genom hamnen och längs Norrtäljeån mot Vigelsjö naturreservat.

Roslagsleden etapp 8: Vigelsjö–Roslagsbro

12,6 km från Vigelsjö till Roslagsbro, genom två naturreservat och förbi Färsna 4H-gård med djur och gårdsmiljö. Längs vägen väntar fågelrika sjön Ludden, gamla ekbackar och möjlighet till bad, innan etappen avslutas vid Roslags-Bro kyrka, kallad ”Roslagens katedral”.

Roslagsleden etapp 9: Roslagsbro–Gåsvik

En 23,8 kilometer lång och omväxlande etapp från Roslagsbro mot Gåsvik, förbi Erikskulle hembygdsgård, Roslagens eget Skansen, Kvarnfallet och Rådasjön. Via gamla kyrkstigar och Flottskär når leden till sist Bagghusbron vid Väddö kanal.

Roslagsleden etapp 10: Gåsvik–Sandviken

På den 8,7 kilometer långa etappen från Bagghusbron i Gåsvik följer du Väddö kanal mot Älmsta och genom odlingslandskap till Sandviken. Längs vägen passerar du Roslagens sjöfartsmuseum, Fågelskogen vid Storfjärden och Storängens naturreservat, innan du kommer fram till Sandviken vid Ålands hav.

Roslagsleden etapp 11: Sandviken–Grisslehamn

21 kilometer från Sandviken till Grisslehamn längs Väddökusten. Roslagsledens sista etapp går förbi sandstränder, klapperstensfält, det gamla fiskeläget Nothamn och Tullviksbäckens naturreservat. På väg in mot Grisslehamn passerar leden Albert Engströms ateljé och avslutas vid den gamla fiskehamnen vid Ålands hav.

Ö TILL Ö

Hike the Stockholm Archipelago Trail

Acclaimed by TIME and National Geographic. On foot through the archipelago.

The Stockholm Archipelago Trail runs across 20 islands from Arholma in the north to Landsort in the south. In Roslagen you will find seven of the stages: Arholma, Lidö, Furusund, Yxlan, Finnhamn, Ingmarsö and Brottö. Here you walk along forest paths, gravel roads and cliffs near the sea and take the archipelago boat further between the islands.

Do a day hike or put together a multi-day island-hopping trip, with accommodation, food and island life along the way. Between Finnhamn and Ingmarsö, the trail also meets the Archipelago Rowing Trail, where you swap hiking boots for a rowing boat and row yourself across the sound between the islands. (For those who like the analogue approach, there is also the STF logbook – a hiking passport with space for notes and stamps to collect along the way).

Photo: Max van den Oetelaar / Unsplash

Stockholm Archipelago Trail - Ingmarsö

9.8 kilometres through Ingmarsö's meadows, forests and village environments, along sheltered bays and past bathing spots. Here you will find a bakery, a pub, a shop and accommodation, and via the Island Hopping Trail you can continue by rowing boat towards Finnhamn or hike further towards Brottö.

Stockholm Archipelago Trail - Finnhamn

10.1 kilometres through Finnhamn's pine forests, meadows and pastures, across bedrock and past Paradisviken. A true archipelago classic, with active farming and the Island Hopper Trail rowing boat towards Ingmarsö along the way.

Stockholm Archipelago Trail - Brottö

Brottö is the shortest stage of the Stockholm Archipelago Trail in Roslagen – an easy, kilometre-long hike through pastures, farm environments and a living archipelago landscape. Follow the gravel road from Brottö pier and continue, if you wish, towards Ingmarsö and Finnhamn.

Stockholm Archipelago Trail Lidö

11.9 kilometres through Lidö's open archipelago landscape and forest, out towards smooth rocks and stony shores with grazing animals, historic sites and swimming along the way. There are several ways to stay here, at the inn, simpler rooms, glamping tents or mirrored Zero Cabins.

Stockholm Archipelago Trail – Yxlan

24 kilometres near the sea, through pine forests, open meadows, old villages and small cottage areas. A long and varied day of hiking on Yxlan in the northern Stockholm archipelago.

Stockholm Archipelago Trail – Furusund

7.2 kilometres through Furusund's classic archipelago environment, past charming summer houses, the windmill and the famous compass rose – on an island with strong connections to Astrid Lindgren and August Strindberg.

Stockholm Archipelago Trail – Arholma

13.4 kilometres through Arholma's two distinctly different sides, from greener village environments and pastures to cliffs, bathing bays and barren coastline facing the Sea of Åland. Along the way you pass the Arholma beacon and exciting military history at the Arholma battery.

Gammelåkojan, Florarna – Upplandsleden. Photo: David Nyman

BRIDGES & WILDERNESS

Walk the Uppland Trail

Through forest and ironworks, out across the mires of Florarna

The Upplandsleden trail in Uppsala County is 550 kilometres long and divided into 45 stages. Here we focus on stages 10–12: a total of 70 kilometres from Kolarmoraån via Gimo and Österbybruk to Risön. Stage 10 is the longest on the Upplandsleden, running for 30 kilometres through almost uninhabited forest areas.

Stage 11 links the industrial localities of Gimo and Österbybruk, and stage 12 continues along forest paths and boardwalks through Florarna – southern Sweden's largest uninfluenced mire area.

Stages 11 and 12 also follow the same route as the Viking Trail.

Upplandsleden - stage 12

Österbybruk - Risön, about 20 km. This stage takes you from the cultural-historical mill town of Österbybruk to the vast marshlands of Florarnas nature reserve. Here you will encounter a hike that alternates between cultural heritage and untouched wilderness - from well-preserved mill environments to deep forests and open marshlands where silence prevails.

Upplandsleden - stage 11

Gimo - Österbybruk, 21 km On this stage you will experience a hike through historic mill environments and scenic woodlands. From Gimo, the trail leads you through varied terrain with mossy forest areas and beautiful paths that follow the natural shapes of the landscape, before you reach the historic Österbybruk.

Upplandsleden - stage 10

Kolarmora - Gimo, 30 km Along this 30-kilometre stage of the Upplandsleden trail, a hike through varied landscapes awaits you, where you move from quiet forest paths to winding gravel roads. The journey starts at Kolarmoraån and takes you through almost untouched nature, far from buildings, which gives a sense of privacy and wilderness.

STIGAR & STRÅK

Strolls & shorter walks in Roslagen

Walk in the footsteps of a saint, discover a robber's cave and encounter art and history amidst nature.

In Roslagen there is everything from short discovery trails and urban walks to circular routes and hikes that last for most of the day. Follow the Birgitta Trail or King Filmer's Trail through history, take an art walk along the canal, discover the Myran Trail with the children or choose the Health Trail for an accessible route. Many of the walks go through nature reserves and natural areas where the scenery is the experience itself.

Find paths & trails in →

Northern Roslagen Östhammar | Central Roslagen Norrtälje | Southern Roslagen Österåker

Myrans Stig, Hargshamn.
Photo: David Nyman

ÖSTHAMMAR | NORTH ROSLAGEN

Wiktor's ladder - Hargshamn

Wiktor's path in Hargshamn is a 2.5-kilometre trail that runs through spruce forests and older tree environments in the Harg area. The path is clearly marked and used all year round, especially by visitors who want to take a leisurely walk, jog or make a short excursion from the campsites in Hargshamn. The terrain is moderately hilly and suits inexperienced hikers as well as travellers who want to experience Swedish nature in an easily accessible way.

The path of health - Östhammar

Hälsans Stig in Östhammar is a 4 kilometre long walking trail that offers a scenic and historically interesting experience. The trail starts at Sjötorget and follows Östhammar's beautiful beaches and quays. Along the way you pass the red boathouses from the 18th century, the Societetshuset from the seaside resort era in the 19th century, and the Tullhuset on Södra Tullportsgatan, which was the first house to be rebuilt after the Russian ravages in 1719.

Trails on Raggarön

Do you want to hike close to the coast? Raggarön has a rich network of paths that the Raggarö Local History Society has cleared - perfect for a weekend outing! You can park at the local history centre or at Havsvik nature reserve, which is also worth a visit. Along the paths there are many signs telling you about places and people who lived on Raggarön. The entire trail system is about 17 kilometres in total, and you can walk shorter or longer loops.

Vallonstigen 5 km - Gimo

Vallonstigen runs in a loop through beautiful mill environments in Gimo. The loop is easy to walk and you walk along paved or gravel paths, or on pavements. There is also a short section along a forest path, but you can avoid that part if you wish. Along the path, there are information signs telling you about places you pass. The path is marked with blue and white colours.

Stordammen round 14 km - Österbybruk

Start your hike at the swimming pool in Österbybruk and set off on a 14-kilometre trail around Stordammen - one of the mill's most important water reservoirs. The dam was built by royal order back in the 17th century, when Österbysjön and Dynsjön were dammed up to form a large lake, about five kilometres long and one kilometre wide.

Harvika dam around 6km - Österbybruk

Harvikadammen runt is a 6 km long loop that was used as a supervisory path for the dam from the late 1600s. The path runs on the dam's breast, which provides a fine view of the dam and surrounding marshes and ponds. Otters are occasionally seen in the pond.

King Filmer's trail, 5 km - Österbybruk

This 5 km long and easy-to-walk trail stretches from Stordammen in the east to Dannemora in the west and offers a unique mix of scenic environments and exciting cultural history. Here you follow historic dam embankments, pass old pastures and walk past remains from the heyday of the ironworks.

Karmdammen 2 km - Dannemora-Österbybruk

Karmdammen Runt is an easy two-kilometre trail around the dam. It passes places with traces of historical iron processing, revolutionary power transmission in the so-called art passage and Dannemora health well with Brunnshuset. At Brunnshuset there is a picnic area and information signs telling about the old health well.

Cultural trail 6 km - Österbybruk

Kulturstigen is a 6 km long trail directly adjacent to Österbybruk. The path runs on dams past ponds that were built in the 16th and 17th centuries. A dam breast is an embankment of earth, stone and slag to keep the water in the pond. The trail passes many sites of cultural and historical interest with traces of early ironworking in the area. The dams that were created provided the water power needed to process Dannemoram ore into world-famous bar iron.

Häverö Priest's Meadow Nature Reserve

Häverö prästäng is a flower-rich nature reserve on the coast outside Herräng. Here, deciduous meadows, beach meadows and broadleaf forest meet in a landscape with over 300 plant species.

Birgitta's Ladder

The Birgitta Trail is a short hiking trail between Birgitta Spring and Skederid Church. Along the approximately 500 metre long path you will encounter quotes from Saint Birgitta's texts, taken from her many revelations. The walk goes through lush nature with open views of the landscape.

Borgmästarholmen

Out on the island of Borgmästarholmen in Norrtälje, a path runs around the island. Borgmästarholmen can be accessed via a footbridge and the island is located northeast of the Kärleksudden bathing area.

The river promenade

Take a 3-kilometre heritage walk along the Norrtälje River. Here you can see various historical sites and buildings. You can also read about the history of old buildings on the signs along the way.

The path of health - Norrtälje

Hälsans stig runs along the Norrtälje River and through the centre of Norrtälje. Discover some of Norrtäljestad's finest areas such as Societetetsparken, the old parts of Norrtälje and the harbour. The trail is approximately 4 kilometres long.

Angarnkilen and Bogesundskilen

Angarnkilen and Bogesundskilen are two green nature trails where untouched forest, cultural landscapes, excursion destinations and hiking trails meet and connect places like Åkersberga, Rydbo and Vaxholm. The Blue Trail also runs through the area - a popular hiking trail that takes you through Bogesundslandet and on towards Domarudden.

Lake loop in Trastsjöskogen 12km

If you walk Sjöslingan you get beautiful views of Södersjön. Here you can take a dip. If you have a fishing licence, you are welcome to sit down and fish. There are several nice picnic areas with benches and tables next to the lake. Sjöslingan also connects to Skogsslingan.

Hackstaff tracks

Hackstaspåren is located right next to Österåker sports centre. It is perhaps the municipality's steepest track. If you're looking for a real challenge, you can also head up the old ski slope. Hacksta has 850-metre, 1.3-kilometre, 2.5-kilometre and 5-kilometre tracks. All tracks except the 5-kilometre track have electric lighting. There is an obstacle course along the 2.5 kilometre track.

Forest trail in Trastsjöskogen 5.6 km

Skogsslingan, 5.6 km If you want to take a long walk, you can choose Skogsslingan. From there, you can extend your visit and take a detour onto Kulturslingan or Barnträskslingan. You can also continue to Sjöslingan where you get beautiful views of Södersjön. Here you can take a dip. If you have a fishing licence, you are welcome to sit down and fish. Next to the lake there are several nice picnic areas with benches and tables.

Health trail Åkersberga

Hälsans Stig in Åkersberga is part of an international public health concept that aims to encourage everyday exercise through accessible and safe walking routes. In Åkersberga, Österåker Municipality, in collaboration with the Swedish Heart and Lung Association, has created two trails - one north and one south - that together offer a varied walking experience.

BEFORE THE HIKE

Good to know

Frequently asked questions about hiking in Roslagen

One day or several? With children, a tent or perhaps a night in a hotel? Here are a few things that are good to know when planning your trip.

Can I do a day hike in Roslagen?

Definitely. You don't need to walk a whole trail to get out. Choose a single stage of Roslagsleden or The Uppland Trail, take the boat out to a leg of Stockholm Archipelago Trail or choose one of Roslagen's shorter circular routes and nature trails.

Can I hike in Roslagen without a car?

Yes, in several places. Several stages start or end near bus connections, and you can get to the islands along the Stockholm Archipelago Trail by scheduled archipelago boat.

Plan the journey at the same time as the hike – especially if you are walking from A to B. In the archipelago, it is also important to check boat timetables in both directions before you set out.

Where can you go hiking with children in Roslagen?

There are several tours where things happen along the way as well. Ant's path in Hargshamn is short and made for children, and at Färsna Farm in Norrtälje you can combine the walk with a farm environment and animals. On Krutudden in Östhammar There are small figures hidden in the forest.

On Arholma the boat trip itself becomes part of the excursion. In the summer, the Fairy Tale Trail up towards Båken usually gets its own theme. In southern Roslagen Domarudden a good alternative with a shorter trail, swimming and a playground, and on Ljusterö there is also a nature trail and a fairy-tale trail.

Can I eat and sleep along the way?

In several places, it is possible to combine the hike with food and overnight accommodation. Some stages pass through towns and industrial heritage environments with restaurants, cafés, shops and accommodation, while others go through areas where you need to carry what you need with you.

On the Roslagsleden trail you pass places such as Älmsta, where there is a grocery store and restaurants, and near stages 8–9 there is accommodation in Roslagsbro.

Are you planning a multi-day hike? We are working on a guide to food and accommodation along the trails.

Can I pitch a tent along the hiking trails?

Yes, in many places. The right to public access makes it possible to pitch a tent for a night or two as long as you do not disturb or destroy. Special rules may apply in nature reserves and other protected areas, so always check the regulations for where you intend to pitch your tent.

Along the Upplandsleden trail it is often possible to pitch a tent adjacent to lean-to shelters, but conditions vary between locations there too.

Are there shelters, water and toilets along the trails?

Yes, on many stages – but not everywhere. Therefore, it is worth checking your specific route before you go.

Along the Upplandsleden, for example, there is water on certain stages and lean-tos along most stages. Along the Roslagsleden there are also rest areas and lean-tos on several stretches; at Kvarngården on stage 6, for instance, there are lean-tos, a fireplace and a toilet, as well as the opportunity to fill up with drinking water during the summer.

Always bring your own water so that you can manage the trip even if a planned water source is unavailable.

What is a reasonable distance to hike in a day?

It depends more on the surface and who is walking than on the mileage. An easy dirt road and an uneven forest path are two completely different things.

As a benchmark, the Upplands Foundation suggests about three kilometres per hour on an uneven forest path and around 10–15 kilometres as a suitable day's hike with a heavy backpack. With children, a few kilometres can be quite enough.

Therefore, consider both the length, surface and amenities when choosing a stage.

Did you know that;

National Geographic named the Stockholm archipelago as one of the world's best destinations for 2025 – largely thanks to the then new Stockholm Archipelago Trail. TIME also included the trail on its list of the World's Greatest Places. Seven of the stages run through Roslagen, from Arholma to Brottö. Just step on the boat.