Vallentuna offers several ways to experience its culture and landscape: runic inscriptions at the church, walking trails in the town center and natural destinations nearby. The themes of Runriket also extend beyond the town. For planning, it helps to consider specific differences, such as the length of the central walking trails or the time of year, as some activities are seasonal.
Runes and Local History
Nine cultural and historical sites in Runriket are located around Lake Vallentuna in Täby and Vallentuna. Runriket extends through the forests around the lake and can be visited free of charge. Runic inscriptions of various kinds can be found in and around Vallentuna Church. The church is also home to a Latin missal written in 1198, considered the oldest surviving Swedish book.
Another notable site is Väsby Mill. The mill stands on a small hill between Vallentuna Church and Kvarnbadet, near Vallentuna Centrum. After a fire caused by arson in 2008, it was rebuilt and reopened on May 19, 2019. The annual Musik vid kvarnen event, featuring music and dancing, takes place at the mill in late May. Check the event dates before your trip.
Trails Around Vallentuna
Close to the town center, the Björkby-Kyrkviken nature reserve lies in an open agricultural landscape by Lake Vallentuna and Vallentuna Church. There are plenty of benches and several rest areas along the waterfront promenade. This lets you enjoy the landscape while making it easy to plan breaks along the way.
The Olhamraleden trail runs from Vallentuna Centrum via Vallentuna IP to Olhamra and the entrance to the Angarnsjöängen nature reserve; it is about four kilometers long. Along the way, it passes through a primeval-forest-like woodland, over rocky ground and through marsh-like wetlands. For a shorter or longer walk in the town center, Hälsans stig offers two options: Centrumslingan is three kilometers long, and the route through Ekeby is five kilometers. Both trails have a level, firm surface and can be used on foot, in a wheelchair or with a rollator. Kilometer markers and benches provide additional wayfinding along the route.
Natural Destinations Nearby
Ubbysjön is a bird-rich lake with reeds, bushes and open water. The blue-marked Ubbysjön Runt trail loops around the lake via two boardwalk sections and is two kilometers long. There are also two wind shelters and barbecue areas along the trail.
The nearby Veda nature trail at Lake Storsjön offers a different landscape. The trail is about five kilometers long, with a shorter loop of about 4.2 kilometers. It passes through woodland, and many birds can be found along the shores of Lake Storsjön. Parking is available by the riding school, and there is a picnic table along the trail with a view of the lake. The routes can thus be compared by distance and landscape, without inferring a walking time from their lengths.
Water and the Seasons
The municipally operated outdoor swimming pool Kvarnbadet is open from June to August. Its pools include a heated 50-meter pool, a 17.5-meter pool for swimming lessons and children with less swimming experience, and a paddling pool. Check seasonal opening arrangements before your visit. Canoeing is also possible on Lake Vallentuna.
In winter, activities depend on conditions: if the core ice is thick enough—at least 15 centimeters—an ice-skating track is prepared on Lake Vallentuna. In favorable conditions, it can be 15 kilometers long. A cross-country ski trail is also groomed when there is enough snow.
Culture at Vallentuna Kulturhus
Kulturrummet at Vallentuna Kulturhus has 160 seats and is used for theater, concerts, film screenings, cultural lunches and lectures. Konstkuben hosts exhibitions of contemporary art organized by Vallentuna Municipality and the Vallentuna Art Association.
For an insight into local history, visit the Vallentuna picture archive. It contains nearly 9,000 photographs documenting how people in the region have lived and worked from the late 19th century to the present day. You can view around 6,000 images from the archive in the local history section on the library’s upper floor. Books about Vallentuna from the Vallentuniana collection can be borrowed from the library or read on site.
Discover more destinations: Brottby
Go to the main travel guide: Vallentuna.
