Valdemarsvik: Trails through the archipelago and cultural landscape

The Östgötaleden Trail passes through Valdemarsvik’s archipelago and cultural landscape, and by several small inland lakes. The municipality has 21 nature reserves, most of which can be visited year-round. In addition to coastal paths, you can choose from nature areas and routes of varying lengths.

Hiking around Valdemarsvik

The 3.5-kilometre Culture and Health Loop runs through the town centre of Valdemarsvik. One section is partially accessible; nine information boards cover health and local cultural history. Grännäs havsbad is on the Valdemarsvik–Tryserum section of the Östgötaleden Trail, and swimming is possible there. The beach is sandy, and there are also jetties with bathing steps. North of the beach, there are opportunities for cliff jumping and a diving tower.

There are also hiking loops across the landscape on Torrö; together, they are about 6.5 kilometres long. The trail runs close to the sea in many places and offers opportunities for swimming. On Ämtö, there are more than nine kilometres of well-marked hiking trails. The different route lengths can help you decide where to go, but they do not indicate the level of difficulty.

Nature reserves and waterside trails

Ekön Nature Reserve is set in a typical archipelago landscape. It has rocky and sandy beaches where you can swim. The Grytstriangeln also starts at the nature reserve: depending on the route you choose, the paddling route is 40 kilometres long in total. Åsvikelandet offers another combination of nature and activity, with sea-view trails, abundant birdlife and hiking loops.

A longer hike follows the Östgötaleden Trail from Valdemarsvik on foot to Kvädöfjärden Nature Reserve; it is about 40 kilometres long. The Culture and Health Loop in the town centre, the hiking loops on Torrö and the trails on Ämtö offer other route lengths. This lets you compare tours based on how much distance you want to cover. Gamlebofjärden Nature Reserve lies right next to Gryt.

Häradskär: lighthouse and pilot station

The Häradskär lighthouse was built in 1863. The 29-metre-high red-painted iron tower was designed under the direction of Gustaf von Heidenstam and was the first Swedish lighthouse with a rotating lens. A pilot station was established on Häradskär as early as the 17th century, guiding shipping for almost 300 years. The island’s hiking trail passes through an old cultural landscape; in autumn, Häradskär is also a resting place for migrating small birds.

The boat trip from Fyrudden to Häradskär takes about 20 minutes and passes through the Gryt archipelago. If you want to hike the Östgötaleden Trail in the outer Gryt archipelago, water taxis run from the harbour to Häradskär. Check the current service before planning your trip.

Cultural history and museums

The Harstena Museum houses the village school and the building where train oil was produced. The Trankokeriet in Harstena is a listed historic building dating from 1911. Fågelviks herrgård, also a protected historic building, is in Tryserum. These places take you from the maritime history of the archipelago to historic buildings inland.

Gusums Bruk produced a wide range of products from 1653 until the end of 1988. The museum building in Syntorp is closed; parts of the Gusum Bruk Museum collection are now displayed in the library at Folkets Hus in Gusum. Visits to the Svenska Fergusonklubben Museum can be arranged by appointment with the club office.

More activities and local products

Catch More Fish offers guided fishing trips in Valdemarsvik, as well as boat and kayak rentals. Fishing takes place from boats, from shore and on the ice. In Valdemarsvik, you can cycle on asphalt, gravel and trails. At Holmtebo Gårdsbutik, you’ll find home-grown and locally produced delicacies, as well as products from several local producers; there are also some arts and crafts.

Getting around

Gamlebofjärden Nature Reserve can be reached by the Östgötatrafiken bus service between Valdemarsvik and Fyrudden; get off at the “Gryt” stop. From Fyrudden, hikers can take the bus back to Valdemarsvik. When planning trails and excursions, it is worth considering these connections alongside the length of each route.

Discover more destinations: Valdemarsvik, Östra Ed, Ringarum, Gryt, Skeppsgården, Mjölby, Vikbolandet, Linköping.

Back to the main travel overview: Östergötland.