The Upplandsleden passes through the eight municipalities that make up Uppsala County. Its 45 stages stretch from the bays of Lake Mälaren in the south to the archipelago of the Dalälven in the north. Along the way, settlements, deep forests, open spaces and forest lakes alternate with historic landscapes whose industrial history is part of the hiking experience. Some sections are accessible by public transport.
Islands, coasts and woodland landscapes
Bryggholmen is a cultural landscape on an island in Lake Mälaren, known for its mistletoe and many paths. Swimming spots, fire pits, fishing spots and a rest area add to what the island has to offer. Idön presents a different kind of landscape: this cultural landscape in the archipelago includes open pastures, grazed woodland and natural forest, also criss-crossed by numerous paths.
At Billudden, the Uppsalaåsen ridge disappears into the sea. Wide beaches, limestone-rich pine forests and sea buckthorn thickets define this stretch of coast. Visitor facilities include public transport connections, parking, a café, accessible facilities, toilets and a campsite. Along the Hållnäskusten, meanwhile, shallow bays and pristine forests shape a coast formed by post-glacial land uplift. There you will find swimming spots, fishing spots, fire pits and paths, as well as a rest or overnight shelter.
Norra Lunsen is a wilderness close to the city, with coniferous forests and wetlands criss-crossed by many paths. The extensive trail network also includes several routes marked as cross-country ski trails; you can stay overnight at Raststuga Lunsentorpet. Up to 50 rare animal and plant species have been recorded in Norra Lunsen. Forest birds include, among others, capercaillie, stock doves and several species of woodpecker.
Hikes with their own character
Individual hiking trails also offer different experiences. Hågavandringen is 6 km long and has four junctions. It starts at Carolina Rediviva, passes through Rickomberga backar and Flogsta ängar, and ends in Håga by. Jumkilsvandringen is longer at 8 km: starting at Jumkils kyrka outside the city, it heads west via Örnsätra into the extensive Jumkilsskogarna and ends at Studentvilan by a barbecue area. In summer, you can still spot blooming twinflower there. The distances provide a concrete guide when choosing a route, while the starting points, routes and destinations distinguish the two hikes in more detail.
Uppsala and Gamla Uppsala: Discover cultural history
The towers of Uppsala Cathedral rise 119 metres high. Inside are the tombs of Swedish kings, saints and scientists, including Carl von Linné. The Upplandsmuseet is housed in the old Akademikvarnen by the Fyrisån and presents cultural history from the Viking Age to 20th-century children’s rooms.
The Botanical Garden is home to plant species from around the world and changes with the seasons. The Linnéträdgården offers a different historical perspective: Sweden’s oldest botanical garden recreates its 18th-century appearance, when Linné himself used to stroll there. A visit can be combined with a trip to the Linnémuseet.
Gamla Uppsala was a centre of power in prehistoric times; its royal mounds stand as a testament to a history that also encompasses pagan rituals and Viking culture. Disagården offers a glimpse of rural life in the 19th century. Red wooden houses, green pastures and grunting pigs are part of the scene. A museum in Gamla Uppsala tells the story of the site; apps such as Visir Uplandia also let you experience the area in augmented reality, with reconstructions of earlier buildings and life in the Vendel Period.
Uppsala Castle also brings together a range of visitor attractions: it houses an art gallery, museums and a café with sweeping views over the city and the Botanical Garden. An interactive museum invites visitors to explore the landscapes of Uppland—from forest and mountain to water—through animal calls and different biotopes. There are also a nature quiz and craft areas.
Planning nature experiences
Fishing is possible year-round in Uppsala County: zander in Lake Mälaren, trout in forest lakes, pike and perch along the coast, and salmon or grayling in the Dalälven. The excursions programme includes hikes, family events, and bird- and mushroom-watching trips, and is published every spring and autumn; individual activities may change. Naturkartan is a digital visitor guide that helps you find your way around nature reserves, other recreational areas, excursion destinations and hiking trails. The guide provides information on, among other things, swimming spots, bus stops, parking and fire pits.
Discover more destinations: Enköping, Håbo, Östhammar, Knivsta, Tierp, Heby, Uppsala, Älvkarleby.
Go to the overview of destinations: Sweden.
