Skälvik: Trailhead, Lakes and Island History

Skälvik offers a connection to the water and a starting point for the Stockholm Archipelago Trail as you plan your trip. On Svartsö, inland lakes, birdlife, local history, and cycling and kayaking options provide additional interests to explore. Depending on what you would like to experience, you can focus your stay more on hiking, nature, or history.

Hiking and ferry connection

The section of the Stockholm Archipelago Trail on Svartsö can be started at the Skälvik ferry landing. This gives your hiking plans a specific starting point. There is a ferry connection at Skälviks brygga. For planning purposes, the trailhead answers the question of where to begin on foot; the ferry connection is a separate consideration for your journey. If you plan to use it, check the timetable for your travel dates.

Lakes and birdlife

Storträsk is the largest of Svartsö’s five inland lakes. Black-throated divers and herons can be found at the inland lakes near Lillträsk. If you are weighing up lakes and nature observation as part of your trip planning, you will find two distinct points of interest here: Storträsk can be considered in terms of its size, while Lillträsk is notable for its birdlife. You can include the size of the lakes and the birdlife as separate interests in your plans.

Local history in Alsvik and at Storträsk

Alsviks by is one of the oldest villages on Svartsö; the old stone house in Alsviks by was built in 1732. The year it was built gives the house a specific historical date, while its description as one of the oldest villages establishes the historical significance of the place. Hembygdsgården is a little west of the Alsvik landing. It was formerly a mission house and is one of the oldest mission houses in the archipelago. There are bathing opportunities at Hembygdsgården in Alsvik; conditions may vary by season. If you plan to swim, take these seasonal conditions into account. Boholmen in Storträsk is also part of the island’s history: according to local tradition, Boholmen served as a refuge for the islanders during the Russian ravages of 1719. Here, the history of a village and its buildings meets an account of a specific historical event.

Cycling and sea kayaking

You can cycle on Svartsö’s 14 km of gravel roads. Svartsö Kajak offers sea kayak rentals and kayak storage on Svartsö. These options offer different focuses: for cycling, you can plan around the gravel roads; for sea kayaking, rentals and storage are available as services. You can then decide whether to include a bike ride or a sea kayak option in your travel plans.

Planning a hike or bike ride

If you are weighing up hiking and cycling, each offers a different planning reference: the section of the trail on Svartsö can begin at the Skälvik ferry landing, while the 14 km of gravel roads provide a specific reference point for cycling. Consider whether you would rather plan around a named starting point or a stated route length.

Discover more destinations: Ingaröstrand, Runmarö, Stugudden, Sandhamn, Möja, Ingarö, Gustavsberg, Stavsnäs.

View the main travel overview: Värmdö.