Vikbolandet: Discover Nature, Trails and Culture

Vikbolandet offers open landscapes, fertile fields, the sea and forests with wildlife, mushrooms and berries. If you are interested in birdwatching, trails by the water or historic sites, you will find a range of themes for your trip. The following destinations each have their own focus – from a short walk to a viewpoint to churches with a complex architectural history.

Nature and Trails

Svensksundsviken is a shallow sea bay with around twenty islands and extensive grazed coastal meadows. More than 230 bird species have been observed there. A trail starts at the nature reserve’s main parking area; after 650 metres, it branches off either to the viewpoint or to the birdwatching tower. The two routes are about 1.5 kilometres long in total. Picnic tables, a shelter, barbecue sites and a dry toilet are among the visitor facilities.

The nature reserve can be reached by bus from Norrköping, Östra Husby or Arkösund. The nearest stop to the main entrance is called “Konungsunds by” and is about 300 metres from the main parking area. Check bus connections before travelling, as transport arrangements may change.

Bråxvik Nature Reserve is on the Baltic coast near Vikbolandet. Extensive coastal meadows meet old coniferous forest; in summer, cattle graze the meadows and parts of the forest. Visitor facilities are limited: there is a small parking area for two to three cars, a picnic table and an information board, but no other visitor facilities.

Bråviken Marine Nature Reserve covers a large part of the Arkösund archipelago, with around a hundred islands and skerries. A trail just over four kilometres long starts at the mainland parking area and passes a shelter and barbecue site at Skutviken. In the nearby Norrkrog Nature Reserve, an approximately three-kilometre orange-marked trail starts at the Stegeborgsgården parking area and offers views of Slätbaken Bay and Eknön. A separate, marked 400-metre trail leads to a place for reflection with views of Stegeborg Fortress.

Churches and History

Konungsund Church was built in 1801–1802 to replace a medieval church; Olof Tempelman designed the new building. Other notable features include a granite baptismal font from the 13th century and two stones bearing Christian crosses, one on each side of the south portal.

Dagsberg Church on Vikbolandet was probably begun in the 12th century, extended around the middle of the 14th century and further enlarged in the second half of the 15th century. Its altarpiece was painted by Pehr Hörberg, who signed it in 1807. In Tåby, the present-day church was consecrated in 1789, while the tower was not completed until 1819. The altarpiece depicts the rocks splitting at Christ’s death and was also painted by Pehr Hörberg, in 1796.

Kuddby Church was rebuilt in 1828 under King Charles XIV John and restored in 1901. Its organ was made in 1882 by Sven and Erik Nordström; it is painted grey and adorned with gilded ornaments. The medieval church of Å stands in ruins about 1.5 kilometres south of the present-day church. It was partially restored in the 1970s and is registered as a protected archaeological site.

Hylinge Oppgård is an agricultural museum on an old family farm whose origins date back to the 18th century. Groups are received by prior arrangement; the exhibitions are open from 1 May to 1 October. Check the visiting arrangements before you travel. Nearby Stegeborg Castle Ruin is also a cultural destination: in the Middle Ages, it was one of Sweden’s most important fortresses and remained a royal castle until the 17th century. It is open to visitors every day throughout the year; check the visiting arrangements before setting off.

Dalmyra is an old mining site by Lake Dalmyrasjön on Vikbolandet and was probably known as early as the Middle Ages. At the Dalmyra mine, visitors cross the narrow strait on a hand-pulled raft, with remains of an earlier bridge visible along the way. The site has a barbecue area and a shelter.

Farm Shops and Local Experiences

Vikbolandet is home to farms with cattle, pigs, goats, ostriches, turkeys and deer. Visätter Kalkongård’s farm shop sells turkey in various forms, as well as other products from Vikbolandet. You can also book an approximately 1.5-hour alpaca walk there. Vikbolandsstruts runs a farm shop selling ostrich and beef, ostrich crafts and products from other farms on Vikbolandet. Groups can order lunch or dinner at the farm. Sänkdalens Gård turns milk and cream produced by its own animals directly into ice cream; visitors are invited to tour the new ice cream factory.

Discover more destinations: Rönö, Vikbolandet.

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