See & do
Shorter hikes
Experience everything from cultural reserves to ravines and lakes and explore the best of nature with our list of shorter hikes – perfect tours for those yearning for a dose of fresh air and beautiful surroundings but who want to take a shorter trip.
1. Stjärnorpsravinen – Enchanting nature in a ravine
A somewhat hidden but absolutely magical hiking trail in Linköping is Stjärnorpsravinen. And it is exactly as it sounds – an enchanting ravine! Join the lush exotic nature wrapped in deciduous forest and ferns, thousands it seems like. The high trunks of the trees reach up towards the sky, where the tree canopies form like vaults above your head. If you choose to hike in the heart of the ravine, you’ll be accompanied by the gurgling sound of the Stjärnorpsbäcken stream.
When the forest path ends, you are met by a small stone staircase – and if you don’t have steady legs, we recommend walking back as climbing experience is desirable. Here you can ascend to ground level and instead hike on the high brink.
This trail is not only enchanting but also one of Östergötland’s richest bat locations.
The trail is about 2 km long in medium difficulty terrain, and you start below the ruin of Stjärnorp Castle. It is not a marked trail, but there is an information board at the tool shed next to the parking lot. And as we pointed out earlier, climbing experience is desirable if you want to climb out of the ravine via the stone stairs.
2. Kärna Mosse – Welcome to the paradise of orchids
Bubbling springs, wild-growing orchids, and 250-year-old pines – that’s what Kärna Mosse has to offer! The Kärna Mosse nature reserve is one of Östergötland’s most famous calcareous fens with lots of exciting nature. Here impressive pines, noble deciduous and coniferous forests grow. Many trees have toppled in the forest, giving it a wild and more original forest-like character. Kärna Mosse is perhaps most famous for the colorful display of orchids you can witness from early June to mid-July. Here there are up to 15 different orchid species that grow freely in nature.
The hike in Kärna Mosse consists of a 2 km long trail through the reserve. During early summer – visit the pond in the northern part of the reserve to see frogs, newts, and various small creatures. There are two entrances with parking and information boards. Signposted from Kärnavägen. You can find a map and more information here.
3. Säby Västerskog – Step into an enchanted forest
If you want to experience a real enchanted forest, the Säby Västerskog nature reserve is the perfect place. The nature boasts a diversity of fungi and wood-living insects such as beetles. The average age of the trees is estimated to be 180 years! Dead trees are the base for much of the life in the primary forest and are often left lying, so good mobility is a must to make your way here over logs and rocks! Take the opportunity to refresh yourself in the lake Stora Mörken just south of the nature reserve, where there are also shelters and a toilet. If you want to make a detour, we recommend a few hundred meters away from the nature reserve where there are beautiful bathing cliffs at Lake Stora Rängen.
The reserve can be reached from the road between Bjärka Säby and Bestorp. About 1 km south of Bjärka Säby, at Slåtterängen, it is signposted “nature reserve” to the left. The trail is about 1.5 km and is located along the Östgötaleden. You can find a map and more information here.
4. Viggeby – Lakeside walking
Hiking in the Viggeby nature reserve, located on a peninsula in Järnlunden, takes you on a lakeside nature experience. Here you can combine summery swims, explorations among islands, fishing trips, and hiking all in one place. Sit down by one of the sun-warmed shoreline cliffs and relax after a full day of hiking. Rich flora and fauna and free fishing within the reserve. The Östgötaleden enters the area with the endpoint here. Here in Viggeby, there are also prepared grill areas, WC, excellent tent areas, and shelters. The hike is 8.2 km long but can be adjusted if you want to walk shorter.
The Viggeby nature reserve is located about 2.5 miles south of Linköping, just west of Brokind and is signposted from road 34. Perfect for cozy forest walks. Read more about the hike here!
5. Hiking in Ullstämmaskogen Nature Reserve
Ullstämmaskogen Nature Reserve is relatively hidden in the Vidingsjö outdoor area, which makes it not as well-visited as other parts of the area. The reserve is also far from the city’s noise, making it quiet and a true nature experience. Both the nature and the silence make it a relaxing experience. The route is approximately 3.4 kilometers long.
A hiking tour predominantly through beautiful coniferous forest of varying ages. A tour that goes almost entirely through Ullstämmaskogen Nature Reserve. The hike is entirely on forest paths with sometimes many roots and stones. The route is easy because it is short, but it demands more from the hiker due to the stones and roots, making it a moderately difficult hike. More information about the nature reserve and nearby hiking trails in the area can be found here.
Start the hike at the parking/entrance for Ekängsdalen and Ullstämmaskogen. Follow the orange markings of Östgötaleden (there are also red markings, but they were poorly marked when this description was written) for about 500 meters until you reach an information sign in the forest about the Ullstämmaskogen reserve. From there, the reserve loop is clearly marked and it’s where the reserve begins. Follow the red markings through the forest for a few kilometers. Enjoy the views and the silence. Eventually, you will come to another information sign in the forest about Ullstämmaskogen. At that sign, start following the orange markings of Östgötaleden, which will lead you back to the parking, but by following Östgötaleden, it becomes a circular loop. After about 100 meters, you will come to a LONG boardwalk about 500 m that is built in the forest over wet areas. Continue following the orange markings. Eventually, you return to the information sign where the red loop began in the reserve. Here, you can choose whether to continue on Östgötaleden back to the parking, or opt to follow the green markings (LOK-milen) which also lead to the parking/start point. Both paths are equally long. However, be observant at this intersection at the information board so you go the right way.
Please use naturkartan.se to see where facilities such as barbecue areas and rest areas are located. Also, activate so you can see your position on the map to make navigation easier.
In the district of Vidingsjö in southern Linköping, follow the signs towards “Kolbyttemon 8”. Drive on the paved road for a few kilometers until there is a sign pointing towards “Ekängsdalen 1/Ullstämmaskogen 1”. Turn left and follow the gravel road. At a T-junction with small brown wooden signs, turn right and follow the signs towards Ullstämmaskogen. Follow the gravel road a few hundred meters until you reach the parking lot and entrance for Ekängsdalen/Ullstämmaskogen.
6. Öna – An Excursion Destination to a Poor Forest Area
Wander freely in the cultural reserve Öna, among settlements on large flat rock slabs that originated in the 1600s-1700s. Gaze over Stensjön and the grazing landscapes around the cultural farm which is also the perfect picnic spot. The village is an exciting excursion destination and shows the old Linköping and how life was in a poor forest area. Read more about the cultural reserve here!
There is no separate hiking trail, but the Östgötaleden passes by Öna. Öna is a nice excursion destination/stop on the way to Ulrika or Ycke Urskog (take road 34 south to Skeda Udde, then to Haraldsbo and turn left towards Drögshult.) After about 5 km there are signs to Öna on the right.
7. Ycke Urskog – Ronja Robber’s Daughter Environment
Be transported to a real Ronja Robber’s Daughter environment with primeval forests and mosses. Hiking opportunities both within the reserve and the marked primeval forest trail take you on a time journey back to the ancient Swedish nature. Ycke Urskog is characterized by both spruce and pine where the oldest tree is from the early 1700s. Hiking here requires good mobility due to fallen tree trunks crisscrossing – step over and crawl under!
The hiking trail is approximately 1.5 km long and is part of the Östgötaleden. To get here, you head south from Linköping, towards Ulrika. About 2 km west of Ulrika village, towards Boxholm, lies the primeval forest. There is a nice wind shelter and a grilling area under a roof. Next to the parking spaces, there are information signs. Feel free to stay in the area and visit Ulrika. Spend the night in one of the lakeside cottages at Amundebo Södergård, where children also have their paradise at the Adventure Farm. Read more about the nature reserve and hiking here!
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