Söderköping: Göta Canal, medieval lanes and trails

Söderköping combines the Göta Canal, which runs right through the town, with medieval lanes, churches and trails through the surrounding landscape. For your trip, this means canal and town history alongside cycling and hiking trails; the routes described differ in length, course and destination.

Göta Canal and lock history

The Göta Canal Trail cycle route runs right through Söderköping and along the entire Göta Canal. Large sections of the route are car-free and particularly suitable for families. This lets you discover the canal not only as part of the townscape, but also as the focus of a longer bike tour.

Söderköping Lock was built in 1847. The original cast-iron framework has been preserved on its upper lock gates. In Söderköping, you can also visit several original Göta Canal warehouses and other surviving canal buildings.

Medieval lanes and churches

With their low wooden houses and narrow lanes, the Drothemskvarteren preserve Söderköping’s medieval appearance. The town is designated a cultural environment of national interest. Its protected features include the largely unchanged medieval street network, churches, small-scale wooden buildings, and the town’s relationship to the water, Ramunderberget and the surrounding landscape.

S:t Laurentii Church, also known as S:t Lars Church, was first mentioned in writing in 1253. The present building was constructed toward the end of the 13th century as a three-aisled basilica. The present-day Drothem Church also dates from the late 13th century and houses a medieval altarpiece. The Franciscans founded a monastery with an associated monastery church in Söderköping as early as 1235.

The Söderköping Town History Museum is housed in the town’s oldest school building. Its exhibition traces Söderköping’s development from the early Middle Ages to the present day. The series Inga Lindström also features views of the Drothemskvarteren and the Göta Canal in Söderköping.

Trails through forest, viewpoints and interpretive signs

Ramunderberget rises 70 metres above sea level and provides a distinctive backdrop to Söderköping. A large coniferous forest with numerous trails stretches across the hill. A challenging hike up 318 steps leads to a viewpoint. The 9-kilometre Borgbergsleden, on the other hand, leads to the hillfort of Ramunderborgen.

For a circular route in the town centre, Hälsans stig is one option: the trail is 4 kilometres long and suitable for walks. The Flora and Fauna Trail is about 5 kilometres long and has around 30 interpretive signs. The options therefore differ in more than just distance: there is a central loop alongside an educational trail and a longer route with the hillfort as its destination.

Festivals, courses and ice cream by the canal

Söderköpings Gästabud has been held every year since 2006. The event features medieval music, tournament games, a medieval market, workshops and guided tours. The programme may vary from one edition to the next; if the festival is important to your trip planning, check the dates and programme details for the relevant year.

Sparven offers workshops and courses in felting, tin-thread embroidery and watercolour painting. As availability may vary, it is advisable to enquire about the current offerings if you would like to plan a course. Smultronstället by the Göta Canal has around 200 seats and 60 custom-made ice cream sundaes. Check the latest business information before visiting.

Getting there

Söderköping can be reached by car, boat, plane or bus; train connections go via Norrköping. Check the available transport options and connections before travelling.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Sankt Anna, Söderköping, Åtvidaberg, Ödeshög, Ydre, Sanktanna, Finspång, Kinda

Return to the main travel overview: Östergötland.