About the section
The section on Brottö is short, but the island has much to offer.
From the moment you step ashore, you are greeted by a vibrant cultural landscape. From the quay on Brottö, you have the opportunity to connect several sections and explore on your own.
A fantastic place.
How to hike the section?
Brottö is not marked. It does not need to be.
The section begins on the ferry quay. From there, you walk up the hill along the gravel road, next to the pasture. When the gravel road turns right, heading east, you follow it through the farm. Take the opportunity to admire all the beautiful things.
If you are lucky, you might meet the farmer and enjoy some knowledge, history and a pleasant moment.
Then, follow the gravel road for just over 800 meters until you reach a gate. That is where the hiking section ends. Beyond the gate lies Ingmarsö, and further on, you can use the “Båtluffarleden” to reach Finnhamn.
The hiking sections on Brottö, Svartsö, Ingmarsö and Finnhamn work great together.
Trail marking
On Brottö, the trail is not marked. However, there is sign with information at the beginning of the section and another at the end, each with a clear map.
On other sections you follow the trail marked with ribbons and arrows where blue represents the sea, the yellow represents the sun, and a reflecting center line represents the shimmering horizon. This also makes the trail visible in the light of a headlamp.
The marking of the trail is done in one direction, either clockwise or anti-clockwise according to “How to hike the section?”. Where it is obvious where you should walk the marking is sporadic, where it is unclear or at intersections the marking is much closer together. If you do not see a marking continue straight on the path you are on or check out your position in the digital map.
Accessibility on the trail
On Brottö, it is easy if you have a stroller, if you have limited mobility or if you use a wheelchair. The one-kilometer section is entirely on a gravel road.
Enjoy it.
Common questions about the Brottö hiking section
The section on Brottö is very straight forward. It is no more than a kilometer long and you cannot go wrong. Just follow the “How to hike the section” instructions.
The cattle on Brottö is long-haired and long-horned. They are called Scottish Highland cattle. They are beautiful.
In Sweden every private person has the right of public access to pass on someone else’s property. However, we see this as an obligation for you to respect the space you are in and to pass without leaving a trace.
This allows you to walk on any trail and on any road. To use it to access other places.
About Brottö
Brottö is a peninsula in Österåker municipality and forms the western part of Ingmarsö.
In prehistoric times, the island was used for fishing and hunting. During the Middle Ages, the island saw its first permanent residents.
In the 17th century, Brottö grew together with Ingmarsö due to land uplift. In 1719, Brottö was severely affected by the Russian raids.
In 2004, the first cultural reserve in Stockholm County was established on Brottö. The cultural reserve, named Brottö Skärgårdsjordbruk, was created to showcase and preserve the small-scale farming practices typical of how people in the Stockholm archipelago sustained themselves in the past. Read more here.
On Brottö, you can walk around and explore the cultural landscape with the help of the above link.
Plan your trip
You reach Brottö year-round from Åsättra on Ljusterö. You can also get to Brottö from Stockholm via Vaxholm. The island is also easily accessible from Svartsö and from Ingmarsö.
Search for Brottö in Googles travel planner below.
Eat, sleep and do on Brottö
On Brottö, you can enjoy the cultural landscape. For accommodation, the best options are on Ingmarsö or Svartsö.
A gem to discover on Ingmarsö is the Ingmarsö bakery. They offer delicious food, a wonderful atmosphere, and, if you’re lucky, a place to stay.
Check out explorearchipelago.se or Ingmarso.se for more ideas.
The right of public access – an obligation when venturing into nature
In Sweden we have a common law called “The Right of public access”. It is fantastic to have the freedom to roam but it comes with obligations. The existence of the Stockholm Archipelago Trail is solely thanks to the goodwill of all landowners. In nature, we respect all people, all animals, and all protected areas. We leave only footprints behind and we take only memories with us.
Please take whatever garbage you generate back to the mainland where waste management works and is available. On the islands it is expensive and complicated. Please use public toilets or make sure that there is no trace left behind.
From March to September, dogs must always be kept on a leash.
Respect fire bans and absolutely do not light fires on the rocks. They crack.
Read more here