This is my first article from the category Tips for Trips. I would like to divide articles in this category into several parts. In the first part, there will be general information about the place or location, in the second part, I will describe the route I chose to explore the place (I’ll present it as a “Trip Tip”), and finally, I’ll try to answer the question myself – if I were to come again, where else would I like to visit in the given location.
I. About the Location
The island of Ingarö lies southeast of Stockholm. It is apparently the sixteenth largest island in Sweden. Approximately 10,000 people live here. Some houses are used only for recreation. The first Swedish aviator Carl Cederström is buried in the Ingarö cemetery. The island itself contains 16 lakes. There are two nature reserves – Långviksträsk and Björnö.
You can get here directly from Stockholm by bus from the Slussen station.
II. Trip Tip
Route on the map: https://mapy.cz/s/huhasavugo <— ROUTE buddy, CLICK HERE
This is a tip for a one-day hike. It’s about 15 kilometers long, and if it inspires you, you can of course shorten it from various points. I plan trips using Mapy.cz, usually based on interesting points (nature reserves/rocky coast/beach/lake with a picnic area/mountain top). I like to walk on unmarked paths and get lost and find myself! 😀 Come on, let’s do it together.
The trip starts in the village of Brunn. There’s even a convenience store here, so if you need something, there’s a chance to buy it. The route starts on the local illuminated running circuit, just above the school.
At point 2, you’ll leave the solid gravel wide path onto a narrow trail, which is still easy to follow. Even if you stray and end up on some other, parallel path, keep heading straight through the forest, and soon you’ll reach a gravel road.
Around points 3 and 4, it’s much more about maintaining direction than finding the right path. The key point is Lake Återvallsträsk, which is surrounded by small cute cabins. Once you reach its shore, head right along it (the lake will be on your left), where a better path will start to emerge. 🙂
Walk across the wooden “footbridge,” and then continue along the lake shore. After a while, you’ll pass some boulders, a sign, and after another hundred meters or so, the path turns towards a cluster of houses (point 5).
This cluster of houses is the cider house Bredalens Gårdsmusteri (website), and right next to it is the newly opened café Café Äpplet (website). Check it out – I bet you can have a good snack here in the season!
From the access road, take the yellow marked trail (there’s no signpost, but there are yellow dots on the trees). The marking tends to get a bit lost, so keep your eyes open and maybe check your navigation. You’ll successfully reach point 6, from where you can finally admire everything around, because for a while, it will be just going straight ahead on a gravel road.
You’ll come across a small homestead Kulla, where you continue straight ahead (through a road with a barrier, even if it’s closed). On your right, you’ll see the shore of Lake Kullaträsket.
About a kilometer further, you need to hit the left turn into the Långviksträsk nature reserve. It’s an inconspicuous turn into the forest without any signboard. The path is marked again with yellow dots. Congratulations, you’re now at point 7!
The path will wind through the forest, and soon you’ll find yourself at point 8, by Lake Långviksträsket. Here, by the shore, there’s a fireplace with seating. There’s no prepared wood here. It’s available at the park entrance to the south, by the road (point 10). This hut wood-source will come in handy, but only if you choose the option to take this route in the opposite direction, which might not be a bad idea! Otherwise, you’ll just have to rely on the wood you find along the way. According to Naturkartan.se, there’s another, apparently new, fireplace on the north side of the lake. So if this one happens to be occupied, you can try to find that one!
Before point 9, you can decide which way to go. One path leads east to Långvik, while the other continues south. I went south, back to the lake and then further on. It was a really nice path!
At point 10, you’ll encounter the aforementioned wood supply – simply a tiny-“hut” with logs. In the next stage, you’ll come across several more picnic areas, so if you still plan to make a fire, grab some logs.
The yellow marking veers off here, but you cut onto the road, turn right, and then immediately left, onto an access road to several houses. Maybe you’ll encounter, like I did, shy but beautiful horses (or were they ponies?). Once you reach the “ERIKSVIK” turnoff, take this road, across the bridge.
You’ll arrive at the inhabited area, where the path will continue from the road. At the first intersection, turn left. Then just straight ahead and follow the signs “Kuststigen“. You might correctly guess that it means a coastal path. The rest of the route will follow this trend, where you can’t even get lost anymore. Just follow the coast.
I took this trip in March and met a few people in the forest and a somewhat larger group on the coast. But I’m very sure that if you take this trip in the summer, at this point, the route will shift from being contemplative to more recreational. The large parking lot indicates that this will be a very popular spot. And rightly so. You’ll see for yourself that the local coastline will enchant you. After practically emerging from the forest, I was thrilled. I thought to myself, “Oh, my goodness, it’s so beautiful here!” I must say, the weather was in my favor. I only met a few contemplating individuals on the local beaches.
The route ends at the Björkviks brygga pier, where you can catch a bus back to Stockholm (there also seems to be a restaurant here, which will surely be open in season). Or you can continue further into the Björnö nature reserve. I was quite tired already, and the sun was slowly setting, so I peeked a bit around the next bay and then headed home. This pleasantly brings us to the third chapter of the article.
III. Next Time I Come
Originally, I planned this trip as a two-day one, but since it poured rain the whole Saturday, I decided to do only its first part.
The plan for further exploration was the Björnö nature reserve.
Here is the map of Björnö and what you can find there. There are dry toilets at the entrance.
If this trip were two days, then I would stay in one of the shelters on-site. I would walk around the entire peninsula along the coast, including the nicely looking northwest part. And because on the second day of two-day trips I usually opt for something lighter, exploring Björnö would probably be enough for me, and then I would take the bus.
I would also like to explore the Kvarnträsket lake, where there should be a shelter/hut. However, Naturkartan.se does not mention it.
In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my trip suggestion and maybe you’ll try it yourself. Or perhaps it inspired you to visit Stockholm or Sweden in general. It’s an incredibly beautiful country.
If you went on a hike based on this article and found my trip suggestion helpful – please write it in the comments below the article. Also, if any link doesn’t work. Thanks! ♥
I’m planning a small article on what to pack for hikes in Sweden. Before I get to it, I summarize it all in a few short tips here:
Is it summer? Think about protection against mosquitoes and similar insects.
Has it been raining? The paths could be quite muddy/soaking wet. Don’t underestimate waterproofing, or bring some “water shoes” for wading. Wellies are a sure thing, but who takes wellies on a hike! A few extra socks wouldn’t hurt.
Is there snow? If there’s a lot, snowshoes might come in handy. At least take gaiters. Expect that untraveled paths will take you A LOT of time. Better consider a shorter hike.
No snow, but still cold? Parts of the paths might be covered in ice. Buy these (“ice grips”).
Things that might save your bacon:
- Check the weather forecast, especially the feels-like temperature.
- Charge your phone fully. Bring a power bank, if you have one.
- A few extra layers won’t hurt. (against wind? mosquitoes? cold?)
- A headlamp and a set of spare batteries. (especially in winter, it gets dark before you know it)
