Discover Kungsör: Trails, nature and culture

At Kungsudden in Kungsör, you’ll find a starting point for the Kungsör Trail, views of Lake Mälaren and a preserved building from the time of a royal estate. The area also offers many other reasons to visit: trails through forest and open landscapes, architectural and local history, and activities on the water.

Hiking between coastal meadows and forest

The Kungsör Trail follows the meandering course of a stream to the Arbogaån river. Its northern section passes through agricultural landscape near Lake Mälaren, with oak pastures and coastal meadows; forest and scattered small farms characterize the southern section. The trail is signposted in both directions. There is parking for cars at the starting point at Kungsudden. If you arrive by train, you can reach the trail from Kungsör station via the waterfront promenade. Buses also stop at the station on Järnvägsgatan; it’s about a six- to eight-minute walk to the town centre.

Another walking route is Karl XI’s promenade: it winds through open pine forest and is lit, with views of the town and surrounding fields. A runestone stands by the promenade, considered the only one in the innermost part of the Lake Mälaren area. From Kungsudden, you can look out across Lake Mälaren and the restored coastal meadows. These grazed areas attract breeding and migrating birds.

The nearby Jägaråsen Nature Reserve lies 400 metres north of Kungsör and can be reached on foot or by bike. Several hiking trails pass through riverside forest, pine forest and broadleaf forest. Rundelborg offers sweeping views across Lake Mälaren and the plain of Kungs-Barkarö. The Drottning Kristinas ridbana labyrinth is also located on the ridge.

Kungsudden and local history

In the 16th century, Gustav Vasa had one of his royal estates built at Kungsudden. The so-called Hovfruntimmersgebäude is the only surviving building from the estate. Today, it is used as a local heritage centre and houses a local history museum as well as a café that is open year-round. Kungsudden thus combines a historic site with a visit where the landscape by Lake Mälaren is also part of the experience.

Kung Karls kyrka was built between 1690 and 1700 on the orders of Karl XI and designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. An original Baroque church, it bears the personal imprint of Karl XI. A QR code in the church and on the parking information board provides a guided tour on your mobile phone; follow the current information during your visit.

Art and events are also part of Kungsör’s cultural offering. A digital tour takes you around the public art. Once a year, visitors can visit local artists and craftspeople in their workplaces during an art and craft safari. The historic Thor Modéen Theatre hosts films and major theatre performances; Kungsör also holds a film festival in spring and autumn. Check the dates for individual events.

More ideas for nature and leisure

The nearby Slottsholmen Nature Reserve preserves the remains of a medieval fortification. At Hogsta, old forest alternates with wetlands; you can hike through nature there and pick berries and mushrooms in summer or autumn. Nearby Sandskogsbacken is characterized by dense broadleaf forest. There you can see spring flowers, as well as the rare plant Vätteros and the musk beetle.

At nearby Lockmora friluftsgård, walking and exercise trails of 1.25, two and five kilometres start out through varied forest terrain. The shortest route includes a family-friendly fairy-tale trail. When there is enough snow, the five-kilometre route is prepared for cross-country skiing in winter. The different distances and seasonal winter sport offer practical points of reference when planning your time outdoors.

Miniature Kingdom offers something different: the 200-square-metre attraction showcases Swedish landscapes with moving trains, trucks and buses. The model railway is built to a scale of 1:87. So, alongside nature and history, there’s also a detailed miniature world to explore.

Water, swimming and exercise

Visitors can travel by motorboat, sail or row on the Arbogaån river. The swimming areas by Lake Mälaren offer a range of facilities. Skillingeudd has a sandy beach, a grassy area, a jetty and a diving tower. It also has a barbecue area, changing rooms, a toilet and an accessible toilet. Botten has a jetty, an outdoor shower, changing cubicles, a barbecue area, a wind shelter, covered seating, a toilet and an accessible toilet.

If you prefer swimming in an indoor pool, Kungsörs badhus has a 16-metre pool, a simple cafeteria and a sauna. Outside school hours, it is open to the public for lane swimming and recreational swimming. As access is limited to these times, check the current schedule before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Kungsör, Surahammar, Strömsholm, Sala, Norberg, Skinnskatteberg, Arboga, Köping

View the main travel guide: Västmanland.