Island Hopping and Hiking in the Stockholm Archipelago (Sweden)

Wonderful hiking in spring and autumn when the archipelago is at its most tranquil

For the Swedes, the main summer holiday period runs from late June to mid-August, beginning with the Midsummer celebrations in June and starting school and work again by the third week in August.

Island Hopping and Hiking in the Stockholm Archipelago takes advantage of the weeks either side of this high season period. Despite its proximity to Stockholm, the area can feel surprisingly remote at any time of year, and even more so in spring and autumn.

Temperatures may be cooler compared to the heat of high summer (although in many years it can still be surprisingly warm from early June onwards and into early September), and you might be taking shorter dips in the clear waters of the Baltic instead of long, luxuriant summer swims, but spring and autumn are wonderful times to be out in the Archipelago.

With easy-moderate daily hiking over distances of 6-15km, boat and luggage transfers and comfortable overnights in cottage and hotel accommodation, this experience is a great way to discover the southern archipelago both on and off the water.

Away from the heat of July and August, it may feel a little fresher to take a dip, but you'll have the world to yourself! Photo: Nature Travels.

From the bustling city street to calm island forest trails

Your experience begins and ends with a night in Sweden's beautiful capital, Stockholm - a city large enough to offer the vibrant feel and excitement of a capital, but small enough to be easily explored on foot.

The main tour features accommodation in two different locations over four nights, combining the variety and adventure of a point-to-point itinerary with a more relaxed element that comes from a fixed base. Transfer to/from Stockholm is also included.

The first three nights of your main tour are spent in a cottage in the attractive coastal town of Dalarö. From here you head out by boat to discover the islands of Fjärdlång, Kymmendö and Ornö.

Then it's time to take the boat to Utö, exploring the islands of Gålö and Årsta en route. Utö is a beautiful island with wonderful hiking opportunities - a vibrant holiday spot in summer, but a more tranquil experience in spring and autumn. Here you can extend your trip with an extra day if you wish, before heading back to Stockholm for your final night.

The off-season period is an ideal time to enjoy the peace and natural beauty of the Archipelago. Photo: Nature Travels.

Your luggage will be transported between the overnight stops, leaving you free to travel light during the day. The points along the route are conveniently connected by boat services, offering wonderful views and a relaxing and enjoyable way to travel between the islands.

Island Hopping and Hiking in the Stockholm Archipelago is an ideal choice for couples seeking a romantic but active break, small groups of friends or families with children who enjoy walking.

NB: Prices below are based on two persons sharing. Please contact us for price information for solo occupancy and families travelling with children, as price will vary depending on group size and accommodation availability.

Standard itinerary is 7 days/6 nights. Extra night on Utö can be added as optional extra to extend the tour to 8 days/7 nights.

Included

• Accommodation:
  • 3 nights in cottage in Dalarö (bed linen and end cleaning included).
  • 2 nights in hotel in Stockholm.
  • 1 night in cabin or room on Utö.
• Meals: 6 x breakfast as per itinerary. Additional meals are available to purchase locally.
• Transfers: Accommodation in Stockholm to/from boat jetty (Day 2/Day 6); Boat transfers and bus/train journeys as per itinerary.
• Luggage Transfers/Storage: Dalarö jetty/Dalarö cottage (Day 2) and Gålö (Day 5).
• Activities: Hiking as per itinerary.

Day 5 (optional extra night possible): Accommodation on Utö (top left shows wooden cabins, other images show example historical buildings close to main building where rooms are located). Photos: Utö Värdshus (top left), Nature Travels (other)

Not Included

• Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
• Meals apart from those specified. Additional meals are available to purchase locally - information on the various options will be given at the start of your tour.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

Suitable for adults and active families with older children. Recommended minimum age 10 years.

Hiking is easy-moderate, but you should be comfortable hiking with light daypack at own pace for distances of 6-15km.

Minimum 2 adults normally required. Solo adult travelling with child(ren) may also be possible depending on age and options chosen. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

What makes this "Easy"?

Although self-guided, the tour is supported with luggage transfers, which means it is necessary to hike only with a daypack during the day, and also features comfortable accommodation each night. Daily hiking distance is often flexible and you can choose shorter/longer hikes depending on your preference.

NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.

Ticks and TBE:

Note: Ticks occur mostly in grassy areas.

As in the UK and other areas, there are ticks in the Nordic forests which can carry diseases such as Borrelia. You should check for ticks at the end of a day in the outdoors. If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible by pulling the tick out straight, carefully and slowly, with the tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Ensure that you do not leave any of the insect's mouth parts attached to your skin. Wash the bite area with soap and water. In the unlikely event that you feel unwell or notice anything unusual around the area of the bite in the coming days, consult your doctor.

As in large areas of mainland Europe, in some localised areas of the Nordic countries, the ticks are known to carry TBE, or Tick-borne encephalitis, and locals spending extended periods in affected areas often choose to vaccinate themselves. For current advice on TBE and inoculations for the area you are visiting, please consult your doctor or see Travel Health Pro.

Equipment/clothes needed:

For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".

A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.

Preparing for your trip:

For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.

Combine This With

This experience makes a good combination with the following:

• Guided Kayak Tours in Stockholm City (1 day, start/end Stockholm)
• Guided Kayak Tours in the Stockholm Archipelago (1-3 days, start/end Stockholm)
• Sailing in the Stockholm Archipelago (3 or more days, one hour from Stockholm)
• Self-guided Sea Kayaking in the Stockholm Archipelago (2 or more days, one hour from Stockholm or transfer included depending on options chosen)

Groups

This experience is also suitable for groups. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Eco Info

This provider has a detailed written environmental policy.

"The beaches were wonderful. The hiking was great and the instructions sheets made life very easy. Also loved the fact that luggage arrived ahead of us. All went well and our local host was great. We went on a Nature Travels canoe holiday years ago. I was very impressed and the service/holiday was equally as good this time. Thank you!" Adam

"It made planning of a holiday in the archipelago much easier as it would have been difficult to know where to start with so many islands. Our local host was excellent and her planning and attention to detail were marvellous." Linda