Roslagsleden Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

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.

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. Roslagsleden is approximately 190 kilometers long, 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. The route is clearly waymarked with orange paint on trees and posts, making navigation straightforward.

The terrain is not particularly demanding or challenging, but contains notable points of interest such as the Angarnsjöängen Nature Reserve, and Wira Bruk, a historic ironworks village.  

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 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.

Roslagsleden is easy to access and passes through towns and villages, but you should still be ready to hike 9 to 25 km per day depending on the stage. 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. 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.

Roslagsleden starts in Danderyd, a northern suburb of Stockholm easily reached by metro and bus. The trail ends in Grisslehamn, with direct bus connections back to Stockholm. Many trail sections are also accessible by public transport, making it easy to hike one stage at a time.

Distance

15 km

Starting off from the suburb of Danderyd, near 59.40722218.0366671 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 59.47833318.0544442 Täby Kulturcentrum Karby gård.

• 59.44915317.9953561 Påtåker wind shelter. (updated May 2025)
• 59.45578318.0007822 Fjäturen wind shelter. (updated May 2025)

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 59.54234918.1742171 Örsta, still close to the suburbs of Stockholm.

• 59.47814418.0853313 Gullsjön wind shelter. (updated May 2025)

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. 59.58414718.2940392 Lövhagen is little more than a bus stop next to Brollsta Golfklubb.

• 59.49251218.1038384 Skogberga wind shelter. (updated May 2025)

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 Domaruddens stuguthyrning and Domarudden friluftsgård that offer paid lodging options.

• 59.52968318.3567815 Trehörningen wind shelter. (updated May 2025)
• 59.51802818.3428666 Domaruddens stuguthyrning.  
• 59.5174718.3425077 Domarudden friluftsgård.  

Distance

20 km

59.57093318.548153 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.

• 59.54358118.3809968 Rastplats vid Oppsjön.  

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 59.68132118.678354 Penningby, which has a historic castle called Penningby Slott.

• 59.6620818.630379 Grevinnans rå.  

Distance

20 km

59.7579918.704965 Norrtälje is a larger town, with plenty of accommodation available, as well as restaurants. A recommendation is Vickningen I Norrtälje. The trail continues to 59.76236118.6784726 Vigesjö in the northern end of Norrtälje. Norrtelje Camping is available here for overnight stays.

• 59.75081318.68995310 Vickningen i Norrtälje. Hamburger joint  

Distance

13 km

The town of 59.8280318.736737 Roslagsbro has a beautiful church, 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.

• 59.82968618.73703811 Roslagsbro church.  
• 59.83727718.74019212 Vårlyckans Hostel.  

Distance

24 km

There are few wind shelters available on the last stretches of the trail, but accommodation is available in the towns traversed. 59.94028318.8503938 Bagghus itself however, does not have any lodging options.

• 59.85681818.73902113 Lillstugan i Råbacken.  

Distance

8.8 km

During this stage you will enter the Väddö peninsula. Accommodation is available at Väddö Sandvikens Camping, which has a sand beach nearby. The town of 59.983418.879539 Sandviken is a larger settlement which has more loding options available.

• 59.9801318.87744414 Väddö Sandvikens Camping.  

Distance

21 km

After finishing the trail, you can board the boat to Åland from 60.10028218.81630810 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.

• Watch out for ticks: Ticks are common along the trail and can carry tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Vaccination is recommended for frequent hikers in Sweden. Wear long sleeves and check your body after hiking.
• Be prepared for changing weather: Even in summer, temperatures can drop quickly, especially near the coast. Carry a rain jacket and an extra warm layer.
• Fire safety: Use the designated fire rings at shelters for any campfire, and only build fires in places where it is explicitly allowed. During dry periods, especially from late spring through summer, fire bans are common. Always check the current status using the Brandrisk Ute app or information from the County Administrative Board before starting a fire.

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.