Open landscapes, fertile fields, sea and forests rich in wildlife, mushrooms and berries define Vikbolandet. When planning your trip, you can choose between coastal and birdwatching, churches and regional farm experiences. First decide which themes you want to shape your stay, then compare your hotel’s location with the places you plan to visit.
Coastal landscapes and trails
The shallow sea bay of Svensksundsviken includes about twenty islands and extensive grazed coastal meadows. More than 230 bird species have been observed there. From the main car park, a path leads 650 metres to a fork: from there, you can go either to the viewpoint or to the birdwatching tower. The two branches are about 1.5 kilometres long in total. The 650 metres therefore describes the distance to the choice of destinations, while the longer distance covers both branches.
The nature reserve has picnic tables, a shelter, barbecue areas, a dry toilet and a birdwatching tower. Svensksundsviken can be reached by bus from Norrköping, Östra Husby or Arkösund. The nearest bus stop to the main entrance is called “Konungsunds by” and is about 300 metres from the main car park. Check the current timetable before travelling.
BrĂĄxvik offers a different coastal landscape: the nature reserve on the Baltic coast includes coastal meadows and old coniferous forest. In summer, cattle graze on the meadows and parts of the forest. The small car park has space for two to three cars; there is also a picnic table and an information board, but no other visitor facilities.
The marine nature reserve of Bråviken includes about a hundred islands and skerries in the Arkösund archipelago. A little over four-kilometre-long trail starts at the mainland car park and passes a shelter and barbecue area at Skutviken. In the nearby Norrkrog nature reserve, there is also an approximately three-kilometre-long, orange-marked trail with views of Slätbaken Bay and Eknön. A separate, marked 400-metre trail leads to a place for reflection with a view of Stegeborg Fortress. The trails differ in both length and destination.
Nearby, the Stegeborgsleden road ferry crosses the 250-metre-wide stretch between Slottsholmen and Norrkrog. Check the timetable before travelling. The nearby Stegeborg castle ruin was one of Sweden’s most important fortresses in the Middle Ages and a royal castle until the 17th century. It is open to visitors every day throughout the year; check access arrangements before your visit.
Churches and history
The parish in the western Vikbolandet region has seven churches and is happy to welcome visitors. Konungsund Church was built in 1801–1802 to replace a medieval church and was designed by Olof Tempelman. Notable features include a granite baptismal font from the 13th century and two stones bearing Christian crosses on either side of the south portal.
Dagsberg Church was probably begun in the 12th century, expanded around the middle of the 14th century and further enlarged in the second half of the 15th century. Its altarpiece was painted by Pehr Hörberg, who signed it in 1807. Near Å, the medieval church ruin lies about 1.5 kilometres south of the present-day church. It was partially restored in the 1970s and is registered as a protected ancient monument. In Tåby, the present-day church was consecrated in 1789, but its tower was not completed until 1819. Pehr Hörberg’s 1796 altarpiece depicts the rocks splitting at the death of Christ.
Kuddby also offers a range of historical details: the church was rebuilt in 1828 under King Charles XIV John and restored in 1901. Its organ dates from 1882; Sven and Erik Nordström built it with grey paintwork and gilded ornaments.
Hylinge Oppgård is an agricultural museum on an old family farm with origins in the 18th century. Groups are welcomed by prior arrangement; the exhibitions are open from 1 May to 1 October. Check access before you arrive. At the Dalmyra mine, an old mining site by Dalmyrasjön, the place was probably known as early as the Middle Ages. Visitors cross the narrow strait on a hand-pulled ferry; remains of an earlier bridge can be seen along the way. A barbecue area and a shelter are also available.
Farm experiences and regional products
Farm experiences combine regional products with a range of activities. The farm shop at Visätter Kalkongård sells turkey in various forms as well as other products from Vikbolandet. You can also book an approximately 1.5-hour alpaca walk there; check availability in advance. At Vikbolandsstruts, the farm shop stocks ostrich and beef, ostrich crafts and products from other farms on Vikbolandet. Groups can order lunch or dinner at the farm.
Sänkdalens Gård processes the milk and cream produced by its animals directly into ice cream. Visitors are invited to tour the new ice cream factory. If you are choosing your stay based on activities, these options are clearly distinct: the focus here is on farm products, a group meal that can be ordered, a bookable walk or a look at ice cream production. If you have a specific visit in mind, confirm the availability of the relevant offering in advance.
Planning your stay
A clear choice can help when looking for accommodation: do you mainly want to plan trails and birdwatching, explore churches or visit farm experiences? Compare the hotel’s location with the places you actually want to visit. For seasonal exhibitions, group visits and the ferry, check the relevant conditions or timetables before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Vikbolandet, Rönö.
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