Autumn hikes

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

Ekängsdalen and Ullstämmaskogen

In the beautiful Ekängsdalen, there are some pleasant circular trails that take you around Ekängssjön and Ullstämmasjön. The hiking trails are part of Östgötaleden and are connected 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 wind shelters and is very pleasant for an autumn hike. The circular trails are marked with an orange square.

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

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

If you want to continue the hike, it is perfectly possible to proceed along Östgötaleden down to Ullaberg and Mossens wetlands, where Linköping’s newest bird lakes are located. Here there are nice circular trails to hike and several rest areas. Read more about Ullaberg and Mossen here.

Hike at Kinda Canal

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

In central Linköping, you will find Stångåstråket, which runs along the canal, where you can choose different stretches or rounds 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. To the south, you walk out into areas where city noise is replaced by quiet villa neighborhoods. Here you will find more information.

If you prefer hiking in the countryside, Östgötaleden runs along Kinda Canal from Hamra lock and down to Barockslottet Nya slottet Bjärka Säby. Enjoy the autumn colors reflecting in the water along this easy-to-hike trail, which is approximately 7 kilometers. Along the way, you pass Hovetorps locks, where there is also a rest area. It is also perfectly possible to take the bus to this hike. Here you will find more information about part of the trail.

Viggeby Nature Reserve

25 kilometers outside Linköping, you will find Viggeby Nature Reserve, a real little gem next to Lake Stora Rängen with large lush and colorful deciduous forests, grazed pastures, rocky shores, and mystical coniferous forests. Viggebyleden 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 also partially runs along Östgötaleden.

Here you will find a map and more information. 

Hiking Tour along Göta Canal

Between Ljung on the border to Motala and Berg’s locks along Göta Canal, the hike goes along the beautiful Göta Canal. Here you can also take the bus both to and from the start and end points.

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 the canal towards Berg’s locks. The hike is just over 9 kilometers long and is easy to walk as it follows the wide gravel road next to Göta Canal and is therefore very accessible.

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

You can find a map and information about the trail here.