Walking tour of Sweden – 07N/08Days

Today you can choose to hike through Stockholm’s unique Ecopark – the world’s first National Park to be located within a bustling city. The Ekopark is a green oasis combining cultural heritage and natural features. Hike through ancient forests, visit palaces and bathe from waterside rocks – right here, in the city center! Alternatively, concentrate on the vibrant ‘Soder’ region of Stockholm and walk the many quaint alleys, passing historic cottages and churches and a handful of impressive viewpoints across the city. (Accommodation: Stockholm, Meals: None, Optional activities: Hiking).

Today you are transferred to Sormland and the impressive Tullgarn Palace, an 18th-century royal palace located on the seashore with magnificent views. You then hike southwards enjoying the coastal scenery of the hiking path. The hike follows the Sormlandsleden hiking trail, passing forests, and open countryside, wonderful viewpoints, and Komote beach for a quick swim. Your hike ends at the seaside town of Trosa – a seaside village surrounded by a marvelous archipelago. (Hiking distance; Tullgarn to Trosa 12-19 km (moderate), Accommodation: Trosa, Meals included: Breakfast).

Today you are transferred to Stendorren nature reserve, an archipelago recognized for its distinct feeling of peace and tranquillity. Here you hike across the many islands using their intriguing system of suspension bridges. You are then taken by boat the short way to Savo island nature reserve to continue your hike along the Sormlandsleden around the island. The boat then takes you back to the mainland, and you hike on to Sandvik beach, from where you are collected and transferred back to Trosa. (Hiking distance; Stendorren to Savo to Sandvik 12 km (easy), Accommodation: Trosa, Meals included: Breakfast, Boats included: Studsvik to Savo 15 mins; Savo to Trosa 20 mins).

Today you have a free day in Trosa to visit the village, harbor, church, and museum. If you feel like stretching your legs before boarding the boat then there is a short walk available through the village and along the river. You then board the boat for your journey from Sormland to Nynashamn, located in the southern part of the Stockholm archipelago. Once at your accommodation, you can choose to take an evening walk enjoying the long daylight hours along with Nynashamn’s best-kept secret, ‘Strandvagen’ – a small winding road following the coast. Here you enjoy stunning views across the cliffs over the open horizon. The route was created in connection with the Olympic sailing events held here in 1912 and shows off the Stockholm archipelago at its very best. Your accommodation tonight is along Strandvagen with its exceptional location by the water’s edge. (Hiking distance; no fixed distance, Accommodation: Nynashamn, Meals included: Breakfast, Boats included: Trosa to Nynashamn 3hr).

This morning you have two choices, either you can walk directly from your hotel along beautiful Strandvagen into the Lovhagen recreation area which offers many hiking trails, swimming opportunities, and great sea views. All within easy reach of your hotel and flexible so that you can find time to enjoy the hotel spa. Alternatively head with public transport to Hardinge nature reserve which is located on a coastal peninsula. It is a region of manor houses, giant oaks, broad-leaved woods, coniferous forest, and saltwater bays. The birdlife is rich, and white-tailed eagles are common. At Hardinge, visitors are greeted by Haringe manor from 1657, although the present exterior is a product of the 1770s. Both Gustav Vasa and Gustav II Adolf are former owners of the estate. The oval room in the sea wing was furnished for Greta Garbo, a regular guest to the manor. Find time to relax in the hotel’s spa looking out across the ocean! (Hiking distance; flexible 10-15 km, Accommodation: Nynashamn, Meals included: Breakfast, Bus/train included: Nynashamn to Haringe & return (40 mins each way).

Back on the boat today from Nynashamn to Nattaro island with its vast sandy beaches and viewpoint over the archipelago. Then a short boat trip over to Alo with yet another deserted sandy beach and wonderful fish restaurant offering local delicacies. You are then transferred to the main village on Uto. Uto enjoys a typical archipelago scenery with forests, open country, smooth waterside rocks, and hidden white sandy beaches. Gruvbyn village had an iron mine which was worked as early as the 1100s and is open to visitors. The village buzzes with life in the summer months. (Hiking distance; Nattaro & Alo 12 km (easy) Accommodation: Uto, Meals included: Breakfast, Boats included: Nynashamn to Alo 1 hr).

After a free morning on Uto to explore the north of the island, your island-hop over to neighboring Fjardlang – a remote island deservedly declared a nature reserve. Don’t miss a trip to the island’s highest point for spectacular views across the archipelago. Then it’s an impressive cruise back to Stockholm, as you watch the archipelago change from the remote outer islands to the more inhabited regions near the town, with the homes of the rich and famous lining the waterfront. (Accommodation: Stockholm, Meals: Breakfast, Hiking distance; (flexible) 10-15 km, Boat; Uto to Fjardlang @ 30 mins, Boat; Fjardlang to Stockholm @ 3 hrs).

See day one for information about self-guided hiking trips in Stockholm. (Meals included: Breakfast).