About the section
The section on Lidö is special. On the island, there is the Inn with rental cottages, a farmer and nature. The trail starts from the ferry quay and from the Inn. The section consists of two coastal loops and an out-and-back trail.
The trail takes you past open meadows with grazing cattle and through forests. The forest and nature on Lidö is unique as it has been affected by the spruce bark beetle and Storm Alfrida. It becomes very clear how powerful nature is and how we need to adapt.
The path winds through labyrinths of trees. You have the opportunity to see a well-preserved Russian oven, beautiful swim spots and the Lidö battery from World War II, which was meant to protect part of Stockholm.
Lidö fascinates. You feel the wings of history and if you are wise, you will stay and enjoy a good dinner.
How to hike the section?
On Lidö, we start from the quay where you arrive with the Waxholm ferry.
Right in front of you is the beautiful Lidö Inn.
We recommend hiking the Lidö section clockwise, with a detour to Lidö Battery in the northeastern corner.
Follow the gravel road past the Inn on the left side. Continue along this road until it becomes a tractor road along the pastures. Then you know you’re on the right track.
The tractor road then becomes a trail that winds through the forest down towards the sea on the northern side. On the trail, you will see a small sign for the Russian Oven. It is a detour of about 50 meters, and it is well worth it. The Russian Oven is not only beautiful but also a reminder of a difficult time in the Stockholm archipelago and on Lidö.
When you reach the northern coast, the trail follows the sea to the east. It’s beautiful.
At one point, you will come across a forest road that takes you back and forth to Lidö Battery, past the campsite. The location and view at Lidö Battery is very nice, offering more exciting history.
When you are on your way back, you will pass where you came from earlier, before the trail turns left, southwards. Into the forest again, which takes you on a loop along the southeastern coast of Lidö before you return to Lidö Inn, ready for something tasty.
The sections Lidö and Arholma go very well together.
Trail marking
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 Lidö, there are several options if you have a stroller, limited mobility, or use a wheelchair. From the ferry quay, there is a gravel road that runs like a red line through the entire island. It takes you past Lidö Värdshus and also to Lidö Battery. The distance is 2.6 km on gravel and forest roads.
If you are very ambitious, you can make your way to the Russian Oven. It is 1.6 km from the ferry quay. Towards the end, there is a wider forest path, slightly downhill, where you might need some assistance.
Questions about the Lidö section
In 1719, a Russian fleet attacked the Stockholm archipelago with the aim of reaching Stockholm. Around 20,000 men ravaged the area.
To cook food, they built ovens out of stones, which they heated to prepare the food they gathered.
The Russian Oven you pass on Lidö is well-preserved and very beautiful.
About Lidö
Lidö is an island in the northern Stockholm archipelago, on the border of the outer archipelago, in Norrtälje Municipality. On the island only the farmer and his family are the only year-round residents.
Lidö is mentioned in written records as early as the 14th century. In the mid-1600s, Bengt Oxenstierna built a hunting lodge made of sandstone on the island. It was burned down during the Russian raids of 1719. At the end of the 1700s, Lidö Manor was built on the same site as the former lodge. It is now Lidö Värdshus, known for its excellent food and pleasant atmosphere.
On the northeastern tip of the island, there is a preserved cannon. It is one of four that comprised the Lidö battery, completed in 1941 to defend Stockholm’s inlet. This battery was part of the Havsbandslinjen, along with the battery on Arholma, among others.
Lidö’s beautiful nature and picturesque environment is well-preserved, thanks to much of the island being a nature reserve owned and managed by the Archipelago Foundation.
Plan your trip
You can travel to Lidö from Räfsnäs Brygga year-round. During the summer, you can also take the North/South line from Norrtälje or Furusund. Search for Lidö in Google’s travel planner below.
Eat, sleep and do on Lidö
On Lidö, there are various accommodation, dining, and activity options available.
Lidö Värdshus offers different levels of accommodation, including cabins for rent. They also operate two restaurants: Oasen and the main restaurant in the inn.
Lidö is known for its activities and its welcoming atmosphere. For more information, visit explorearchipelago.se.
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