Autumn hikes

With colorful forests and fresh winds, autumn is truly the perfect time for a hiking tour. Here you find tips on beautiful autumn hikes in Linköping that are suitable for those who want to walk both longer and shorter tours.

Ekängsdalen and Ullstämmaskogen

In the beautiful Ekängsdalen, there are some nice loops that take you around Ekängssjön and Ullstämmasjön. The hiking trails are part of the Östgötaleden and connect with the section between Vidingsjö and Bjärka Säby. If you choose the longest loop, the hike will be just over three kilometers long, but you can also choose shorter sections. The trail passes several bird towers, rest areas, and shelters and is very lovely for an autumn hike. The loops are marked with an orange square.

Beside the lakes, you will also find the Ullstämmaskogen nature reserve, which invites exploration among the large forest’s moss-covered boulders, anthills, and fallen tree trunks. Feel free to bring a basket and pick the forest’s berries and mushrooms.

Here you find a map and more information about the area.

If you want to continue the hike, you can proceed along the Östgötaleden down towards Ullaberg and Mossen’s wetlands where Linköping’s newest bird lakes are located. Here you will find nice loops to hike and several rest areas. Read more about Ullaberg and Mossen here.

Hiking at Kinda Canal

In Linköping, you will find the calm and beautiful Kinda Canal, an 80-kilometer-long area that stretches through Linköping’s city center and out into the countryside down to Kinda municipality. Along the canal, you will find several hiking-friendly roads and trails that can be varied depending on how far or short you want to hike.

In central Linköping, you find Stångåstråket, which runs along the canal, where you can choose different stretches or loops depending on how far you want to go. Along the way, there are several locks to discover, and in the central parts, you will find cafes and restaurants if you want to recharge your energy. Southward you walk out into areas where city noise is replaced by calm residential areas. Here you find more information.

If you prefer hiking in the countryside, the Östgötaleden runs along with Kinda Canal from Hamra lock down to the Baroque castle Nya slottet Bjärka Säby. Enjoy the autumn colors reflecting in the water along this easy-to-walk trail, which is about 7 kilometers. Along the way, you pass Hovetorp’s locks where there is also a rest area. It is also excellent to take the bus to this hike. Here you find more information about a part of the trail.

Viggeby Nature Reserve

25 kilometers outside Linköping, you will find Viggeby Nature Reserve, a real little gem by Lake Stora Rängen with large lush and colorful deciduous forests, grazed pastures, rocky shorelines, and enchanting coniferous forests. The Viggeby Trail takes you to the most beautiful places on the Viggeby Peninsula. The trail is marked with signs and blue markings and consists of several loops and partly follows the Östgötaleden.

Here you find a map and more information. 

Hiking Tour along Göta Canal

Between Ljung on the border to Motala and Bergs locks along Göta Canal, the hike goes along the beautiful Göta Canal. You can also take the bus both to and from the starting point and the endpoint.

If you want to take the bus, bus 520 stops at the Ljungs Västra Bro stop. The stop is right next to Göta Canal and here you start the hike along with the canal towards Berg’s locks. The hike is just over 9 kilometers long and is easy to walk as it runs along the wide gravel road next to Göta Canal, making it also very accessible.

It is also possible to take the same bus line to Borensberg in Motala and walk the same route to Berg’s locks, that hike is just over 20 kilometers.

The map and information about the trail you find here.