Ekolsund: Castle History, Gardens and Trails

Ekolsund has a clear focus on castle history and landscape. The castle estate includes historic gardens and an arboretum; nearby, you can also choose trails by Hjälstaviken and the Cykelleden Uppland. When planning a stay, architecture, landscaped gardens or outdoor activities may shape your plans for the day.

Castle History and Architecture

Construction of Ekolsunds slott began in the 1630s, after Field Marshal Åke Thott received the estate from Gustav II Adolf. The layout is clearly defined: Ekolsunds slott consists of two separate main buildings, a northern and a southern one. They are connected by two low, semicircular buildings known as the Exedran. The contrast between the two main buildings and the lower connecting structures is a striking feature of the architectural layout.

The castle estate encompasses more than the buildings themselves: clear traces of the park, avenues and deer park extend well beyond the castle grounds. The castle landscape can therefore be viewed both through its buildings and its wider landscape features.

Historic Gardens and Arboretum

Visitors can explore five different historic gardens in the castle park. The Ekolsund Arboretum contains more than 400 tree species; about 16 hectares of it consist of relatively dense mixed woodland. The gardens and arboretum offer different points of interest: historic garden areas on one hand, and tree diversity and mixed woodland on the other. If you plan your visit around your interests, you can include these two aspects separately in your itinerary.

Visiting the Castle Park

The castle park is open to individual visitors during the day. Many visitors stop at Wärdshuset for lunch, information, to collect a key or to have an initial conversation with the staff before continuing to the castle and park. There are several reasons to stop before moving on, from taking a meal break to asking a practical question.

Hiking Trail by Hjälstaviken

The Hjälstaviken Nature Reserve lies right next to Ekolsunds slott. An approximately eight-kilometre hiking trail circles the lake, passing through flowering pastureland to the bird tower on the lake’s western shore and Parnassen, with its tall broadleaf trees. These destinations and landscapes differ from the focus of the castle park: at Hjälstaviken, the route and its named destinations are the main draw, while the castle gardens and arboretum appeal to other interests. The approximate eight-kilometre length gives you a concrete reference when planning a hike for your day.

Cycling and Fishing

Cykelleden Uppland is about 80 kilometres long. By Ekolsunds slott, it follows a roughly 100-metre stretch of gravel road south of Route 263. The two figures refer to different scales: 80 kilometres is the total route length, while around 100 metres is the local stretch by the castle. At Ekolsundsviken, Cykelleden crosses the water and then follows the old railway embankment. For comparing route lengths, the cycling route’s approximately 80 kilometres can be set against the Hjälstaviken hiking trail’s roughly eight kilometres.

Ekolsundsviken also offers good fishing opportunities.

Discover more destinations: Grillby, Edsta, Enköping, Örsundsbro, Fjärdhundra, Lillkyrka

Go to the main travel overview: Enköping.