Discover nature on Östgötaleden

Östgötaleden provides 1400 km of walking trails throughout the county and is the most extensive trail network in Sweden. Östergötland’s cultural history is among the richest in the country, with interesting remains dating from the Stone Age to the present. The areas Östgötaleden passes through display a rich history, nature and many points of interest.

Östgötaleden through Kolmården and Vikbolandet consists of around 95 km of trail, and together with adjoining trails there are 186 km of trail in Norrköping municipality. The city council has agreements with various associations, which each take care of a section of the trail.

Most stages of the trail are easily accessible by car or bus. The main trail is marked with orange rings around trees and posts. Adjoining trails are marked similarly with orange dots.

All use of the trail is done at your own risk.

Stage 1
Sörsjön–Graversfors 6.6 km
This stage passes through scenic and undemanding forest. A great deal of industrial history can be seen around the lake Hammarbackssjön. The trail follows paths and small roads with little traffic, and is of average difficulty. There are no overnight shelters, but there is a campsite with cottages to rent at Sörsjön.

Connecting trails: Bergkulla–Sörsjön, Bergkulla–Hultsbruk–Sörsjön, Hultsbruk–Graversfors

Stage 2
Graversfors–Mela 11 km
This stage is easy and mostly flat. There is an incline to the east of Graversfors but otherwise it is quite level. Several lakes are passed, including Nedre Glottern, Bengtgölen and Råsjön. There is an overnight shelter and a toilet at Mela, between Övre (Upper) Glottern and Nedre (Lower) Glottern.

Connecting trails: Sörskön–Näkna–Graversfors, Näkna–Mela

Stage 3
Mela–Halsbråten, 14 km
This stage passes the lakes Bärsjön, Hjälmarösjö and Lilla Älgsjön, where there is a parking place and a rest area with a sandy beach, tables and a fire pit with logs to sit on. It continues towards the farm Halsbråten and passes a spring, Jungfrukällan. About 300 metres east of the spring is a cave, Björndalens rövargrotta (“The Robbers’ Cave of the Bear Valley”). The rest of the stage follows paths through coniferous forest.

Connecting trails: Mela–Fridhem, Mela–Hjälmarösjö–Getå, Hjälmarösjö–Stora Älgsjön–Oscarshäll

Stage 4
Halsbråten–Långa Längan, 1 km
To the south of Halsbråten, the trail forks. The southern fork is part of Östgötaleden, but is marked as Sörmlandsleden (with signs marked S in addition to orange rings). The trail runs along the boundary between Östergötland County and Södermanland County. It passes the lake Gullvagnen, under the E4 highway on a paved road and then reaches Långa Längan, which has a wind shelter, tables and a fire pit.

Connecting trail: Sörmlandsleden to Stavsjö

Stage 5
Långa Längan–Lövsjön, 11 km
The trail passes a ruined monastery known as Ödekyrkan, then enters Södermanland, re-entering Östergötland at Lövhälla by the lake Lövsjön, where there is a wind shelter, a fire pit and a toilet. This stage is easy and level.

Stage 6
Lövsjön–Säter, 14 km
This is a stage of medium difficulty with a sharp rise to Säter and a steep descent to Bråviken near the stream Skvättabäcken. The rest of the stage is easy. A ferry runs from Säter to Skenäs across the inlet. There is a café at Säter with a parking place and information.

Connecting trail: Södermansleden to Kvarsebo

Stage 7
Säter–Mauritzberg, 8 km
The area south of Bråviken (and north of Slätbaken) is known as Vikbolandet, and this section of the trail is marked with ‘V’s indicting Vikbolandsleden. The walk to Mauritzberg manor is relatively easy.

Stage 8
Mauritzberg–Dalmyrasjön, 14 km
This stage runs along roads as well as through countryside. There is a wind shelter at the lake Dalmyrasjön, near an old iron ore mine with a good view over the lake. Snake branch spruce grows on the other side of the headland, which can be reached with a raft.

Stage 9
Dalmyrasjön–Skirsjön, 7 km
This is a relatively easy stage, mostly on roads but partly in the countryside.

Stage 10
Skirsjön–Norrkrog, 7 km
This stage leads straight to Norrkrog, where Vikbolandsleden ends. Östgötaleden continues in Söderköping municipality across the inlet Slätbaken.