Roslagsleden is an itinerary in Roslagen, Sweden. It is a long-distance hiking trail stretching about 190 kilometers from Danderyd near Stockholm to Grisslehamn on the coast, passing through forests, lakes, and picturesque villages along the way.
Understand
[edit]- See also: Hiking in the Nordic countries, Right to access
The trail is part of the European long-distance path E6 and combines natural features with cultural sites, such as the Angarnsjöängen Nature Reserve, and Wira Bruk, a historic ironworks village.
Prepare
[edit]The trail is divided into 11 sections that range from 9 to 25 kilometers each. Most hikers complete the full trail in 9 to 11 days. The overall difficulty is moderate, though some segments can be more demanding.
Roslagsleden is easily accessible via public transportation, with bus and train connections to various trailheads. Accommodation options along the trail range from shelters and campsites to hostels and hotels. Sweden’s Right of Public Access allows for wild camping, provided that hikers respect nature and private property. The route is clearly waymarked with orange paint on trees and posts, making navigation straightforward.
Eat
[edit]The trail rarely strays far from town. You might be able to buy strawberries at a local stand, or take a short detour towards a local grocery store. Packing freeze-dried food is not a necessity here.
Drink
[edit]Water is available in many places, but bring a filter or purification tablets just in case. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance in summer, and fire bans are common in dry periods, so check conditions before you go.
Sleep
[edit]While there are shelters and other places to stay, public wind shelters are few and not always reliable, so it’s best to plan where you’ll sleep in advance. Consider packing a tent just in case.
Climate
[edit]The best time to hike is from May to September, when weather conditions are generally stable and services are available. Daylight hours are long, and the landscape is at its most accessible. Even during the summer months, temperatures can drop suddenly, particularly in coastal areas. It's therefore essential to pack a rain jacket and an extra warm layer to stay comfortable and safe.
Get in
[edit]- The southern terminus of the trail, in Danderyd, can be reached by metro and bus.
- Grisslehamn, the northern terminus of the trail, can be reached by bus from Stockholm.
Walk
[edit]
Danderyd - Karby gård
[edit]- Distance
- 15 km
Starting off from the suburb of Danderyd, near 1 Danderyd Church, the trail sets off into the forest. Passing by a golf course, the trail follows civilisation closely, but there are still a lot of campsites available for overnight use, such as Påtåker wind shelter and Fjäturen wind shelter. The stage ends at 2 Täby Kulturcentrum Karby gård.
Karby gård - Örsta
[edit]- Distance
- 13 km
As you pass Karby gård, you enter farm landscapes with broad vistas. The locals often walk sections of the trail themselves, so don't be surprised if someone on the trail lives close to this area. The Gullsjön wind shelter is close to civilisation, so there may be noise at night. The stage ends at 1 Örsta, still close to the suburbs of Stockholm.
- 3 Gullsjön wind shelter.
Örsta - Lövhagen
[edit]- Distance
- 16 km
The farmland gives way to rockier terrain, but mostly stays flat. The Skogberga wind shelter shelter is further out this time, leaving you with a better night's sleep. 2 Lövhagen is little more than a bus stop next to Brollsta Golfklubb.
- 4 Skogberga wind shelter.
Lövhagen - Domarudden
[edit]- Distance
- 12 km
After this section, the suburbs give way to countryside terrain. You will not see more populous areas until you reach Norrtälje.
Several lodging options are available. Such as Trehörningen wind shelter, as well as 3 Domaruddens stuguthyrning and 4 Domarudden friluftsgård that offer paid lodging options.
- 5 Trehörningen wind shelter.
Domarudden - Wira bruk
[edit]- Distance
- 20 km
5 Wira Bruk 
is a historic ironworks factory. It's a charming place to visit, open to both visitors and tourists. Accommodation options may be available nearby, so be sure to check rental websites for places to stay.
- 6 Rastplats vid Oppsjön.
Wira Bruk - Penningby
[edit]- Distance
- 20 km
The cabin at Grevinnans rå is one of the few in the Stockholm area equipped with a fireplace. It features a table and access to outdoor toilets. A wood storage area is nearby, but wood availability is not guaranteed. You may need to chop your own, or there may be none at all. The cabin is maintained by the Länna Outdoor Association.
The name “Grevinnans rå” originates from a boundary stone (“råsten”) marking the convergence of four village borders. This stone is named after the countess of Penningby Castle, whose lands once extended to this area. The boundary stone remains visible today, serving as a historical landmark near the cabin.
The trail continues to the town of 6 Penningby, which has a historic castle called Penningby Slott.
- 7 Grevinnans rå.
Penningby - Norrtälje - Vigelsjö
[edit]- Distance
- 20 km
7 Norrtälje is a larger town, with plenty of accommodation available, as well as restaurants. A recommendation is 1 Vickningen I Norrtälje. The trail continues to 8 Vigesjö in the northern end of Norrtälje. Norrtälje Camping is available here for overnight stays.
Vigelsjö - Roslagsbro
[edit]- Distance
- 13 km
The town of 9 Roslagsbro has a beautiful church, 10 Roslagsbro church. The church has an immured runestone, as well as a beautifully painted interior. There are several bus stops along the trail in this area, providing convenient access to join or leave the route as needed.
Roslagsbro - Bagghus/Gåsvik
[edit]- Distance
- 24 km
There are few wind shelters available on the last stretches of the trail, but accommodation is available in the towns traversed. 11 Bagghus itself however, does not have any lodging options.
Bagghus/Gåsvik - Sandviken
[edit]- Distance
- 8.8 km
During this stage you will enter the Väddö peninsula. The town of 12 Sandviken is a larger settlement which has a camping as well as a beach nearby.
Sandviken - Grisslehamn
[edit]- Distance
- 21 km
After finishing the trail, you can board the boat to Åland from 13 Grisslehamn . Many people choose to make a round trip without ever getting off the boat, mainly because alcohol can be sold on board tax-free, since the boat officially leaves Sweden.
Stay safe
[edit]Exploring the trails of Sweden offers a chance to connect with nature, but it's crucial to be prepared for the unique challenges of the outdoors. One significant concern is the presence of ticks, which are common along many popular routes and can transmit diseases like tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). For this reason, anyone planning to spend a lot of time hiking in Sweden should consider getting vaccinated. To further protect yourself, it's wise to wear long sleeves and trousers, and always perform a thorough tick check on your body after returning from a hike.
Finally, while a campfire can be a rewarding part of a wilderness experience, fire safety is paramount. You should only use the designated fire rings found at shelters and be aware that fire bans are frequent, especially during dry periods from late spring through summer. Always check for the current fire status using the "Brandrisk Ute" app or information from the County Administrative Board before you plan to light a fire.
Go next
[edit]After finishing Roslagsleden, you can take the ferry from Grisslehamn to Eckerö in the Åland Islands for peaceful coastal walks and island culture. If you prefer more forested terrain, head inland to hike Bergslagen trail, a 280 km trail through the lakes and woods of central Sweden with plenty of shelters and trail infrastructure.