The Vikbolandet peninsula borders Bråviken to the north and Slätbaken to the south. Open landscapes, fertile fields, coastline and forests define the area. Highlights range from beaches and birdwatching to historic churches, a large burial ground and the ruins of Stegeborg.

Coast, water and Arkösund

Arkösund has bathing rocks, sandy beaches and guest harbours; RIB boat tours can also be booked there. The coastal scenery includes historic patrician villas with punch verandas and summerhouses. Wealthy wholesalers built them as summer homes around the turn of the 20th century. The town thus combines waterside activities with a glimpse of summerhouse architecture from that era.

If you would rather head out on the water yourself, Arkö kajak in Sköldvik offers kayaks and SUP boards for hire. The provider is two kilometres from Arkösund and just a few metres from the sandy beach and water. Its location and offering give this outing a different focus from the bookable RIB tours.

Birdlife and trails

Svensksundsviken is a shallow sea bay with around twenty islands, extensive grazed coastal meadows and reed beds. More than 230 bird species have been recorded in the area. The access trail divides after 650 metres: one path leads to the viewing mound, the other to the birdwatching tower. Together, the two paths are about 1.5 kilometres long. This makes it easy to plan a stay around specific destinations: the view over the nature reserve and a visit to the birdwatching tower.

Svensksundsviken can be reached by bus from Norrköping, Östra Husby or Arkösund. If you plan to take the bus, check the timetable before travelling. For longer hikes, the Östgötaleden trail runs through Kolmården and Vikbolandet; this section is about 95 kilometres long. Including the connecting trails, the network totals 186 kilometres. Most sections can be reached by car or bus. For navigation, the main trail is marked with orange rings on trees and posts, while connecting trails are marked with orange dots.

Stegeborg and the history of the castle

The Stegeborgsleden ferry connects Slottsholmen and Norrkrog across Slätbaken at Stegeborg. If you plan to take the ferry, check the timetable in advance. The ruins of Stegeborg are open to visitors every day of the week, all year round; private guided tours are available by prior arrangement throughout the year. Stegeborg was first mentioned in writing in 1310. In the 16th century, King Johan III had the site developed into a magnificent Renaissance castle.

The estate’s landscape also offers a variety of activities: distinctive oak scenery, walks in the castle park, swimming and hikes along the estate’s own trails. The Östgötaleden also runs through the area. At Stegeborg, the history of the castle meets trails through the landscape, and walks need not be limited to the long-distance trail.

Burial grounds, churches and rural history

Gullestad is the largest burial ground on Vikbolandet and was used for burials for almost 2,000 years. It contains at least 265 archaeological features, including around 35 mounds, one stone cairn, around 214 circular stone settings, at least 15 triangular monuments and one standing stone. The variety of forms gives a sense of the burial ground’s scale.

The old church of Å was probably built in the second half of the 13th century as an estate church for the royal manor of Ring. After a fire in 1878, it was left in ruins. It has since been restored; the masonry is reinforced with brick and reinforced concrete, with wooden supports and the eastern gable wall braced with wire cables. Its medieval furnishings included a 13th-century baptismal font and a 15th-century crucifix. Both were transferred to the new church.

The present stone church in Östra Husby was built from 1806 to 1809 to plans by Casper Seurling, revised by Olof Tempelman. Inside are a large painting by Pehr Hörberg on the chancel wall and, as the oldest item of church inventory, a 14th-century triumphal cross. The churches thus offer different points of connection with the past: Å has a ruined church with medieval heritage, while Östra Husby has a later church building with older furnishings.

An agricultural museum with roots in the 18th century is located at the old family farm, Hylinge Oppgård. Housed in a former hay barn, it displays around 50 agricultural machines and tools. A former henhouse contains embroidery, woven items, knitting and crochet, as well as sewn objects from six generations of women in the farm family. The collections on display may change; groups can visit the farm by prior arrangement.

Regional produce also adds to the range of discoveries. At Visätter Kalkongård, a viewing barn showcases turkey production; the farm shop sells turkey and other products from Vikbolandet. A bookable alpaca walk lasting around 1.5 hours is also offered there. Vikbolandsstruts’ farm shop sells, among other things, ostrich meat, beef, ostrich crafts and products from other farms on Vikbolandet. Agetomta Gård offers game meat, sausages, lamb and honey harvested on the farm.

More destinations

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