In Järfälla, cultural history and landscape are close together—from medieval traces to paths through forests and fields. The cultural trails in Barkarby and Skälby bring this to life especially well: their different lengths and historical focuses give you a variety of ways to explore the area.
History at Churches, Castles and Manor Houses
Järfälla Church was built at the end of the 12th century. Two runestones stand beside the church, indicating that the site was already significant during the Viking Age. If you are planning a visit to the church, you can come on foot or by bicycle. The commuter train on the Kungsängen/Bålsta line also goes to the church; take the bus to the Barkarby stop and walk a short distance from there.
Another historical trace leads to Barkarby. There has been an inn and hospitality tradition at Barkarby torg och krog since 1671. The building of Barkarby krog, now the Lasse-Maja inn, dates largely from the first half of the 18th century. Its oldest, low-lying section probably dates from 1671. Here, you can encounter both a long tradition of hospitality and architectural history represented by buildings of different ages.
Gåseborg is one of the best-preserved hillforts on Lake Mälaren. From Gåsberget, you can enjoy a view over the lake. Görväln Castle, in turn, is a 17th-century manor estate surrounded by a park and an arboretum. Several permanent artworks are on display in the sculpture park, Görvälns skulpturpark; admission is free, and the park is open year-round.
Cultural Trails with Different Focuses
In the Barkarby–Skälby area, four cultural trails connect sites of cultural and historical interest with traces from prehistoric times. The trails range in length from the 2.2-kilometer Kyrkbyturen to the 5.8-kilometer Veddestaturen. While the Kyrkbyturen passes several places that have shaped Järfälla’s history, the Veddestaturen focuses on prehistory and the history of communications. The 5.3-kilometer Barkarbyturen is a circular route through areas shaped by land subdivision, horticulture and 20th-century settlement development.
The Görvälnturen and Sandviksturen are also both eight kilometers long. The Görvälnturen is a cultural walking trail that runs mostly through a natural area; the Sandviksturen is shaped by the natural landscape along the shore of Lake Mälaren. This means you can choose a different landscape focus while covering the same stated distance. For shorter explorations, Järfälla has digital cultural walks: they are two to four kilometers long, suitable for children and available with English text.
Nature Trails and Outdoor Recreation
On the shore of Lake Mälaren, Görväln Nature Reserve includes coniferous and deciduous forests, rocky areas, and pasture and farmland. Numerous cycling and walking paths offer the chance to explore the different landscape features along the trails. Västra Järvafältet Nature Reserve offers a different rural setting, with gravel roads and winding paths through the landscape. There are also picnic areas, barbecue facilities, toilets, swimming spots, ski slopes and birdwatching towers.
Ängsjö Outdoor Recreation Area offers year-round activities, including fitness trails, an outdoor gym, a beach, a sauna and nature trails. The disc golf course has nine holes; check its availability before you travel. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent in the summer half of the year, and cross-country skates in winter. Bruket Outdoor Recreation Area adds a 900-meter cross-country ski trail and a 300-meter alpine ski slope with a drag lift and a conveyor lift. If you are interested in cycling routes, you can also find a 2.8-kilometer mountain bike trail there with 68 meters of elevation gain.
Museums and Local History
At the Järfälla Local History Museum, objects and photographs illustrate the municipality’s development from an agricultural society into a modern residential area. Another museum location is at Skälby gård, Skälby gårds väg 20. It is open on occasions including Café Sundays and Local Community Centre Day; check the date before your visit. The Bolinder Museum presents the 100-year history of the Bolinder works. The Koffsan collection, in turn, includes finds from the archaeological excavation of an inn on the island of Koffsan in Lake Mälaren. It is located in the library’s open lounge in Jakobsberg.
Discover more destinations: Järfälla, Sollentuna, Ekerö, Boo, Nacka, Enhörna, Haninge, Vaxholm.
Back to the main travel overview: Stockholm.
