About the section
The Svartsö trail section is a long but easy hike. The nearly eighteen kilometers mostly follow beautiful gravel roads through pastoral landscapes that feel like they are from another world. Along the way, you will pass inviting lakes, explore locally marked paths, find a general store, a café, a quaint hotel, boathouses and glamping tents to rent and two unique restaurants that each make you want to return. You will experience Svartsö’s farming life up close, walk past its charming school and be warmly welcomed by the locals.
Svartsö is ideal for a two-day trip with at least one overnight. Hike during the day, then cycle to the restaurants in the evening for a perfect mini-getaway.
How to hike the section?
You can choose to start from any of the four ferry quays: Norra Svartsö, Alsvik, Skälvik, or Söderboudd. We have marked the trail to follow a counterclockwise route, which is the direction we recommend.
Alsvik offers a café, a general store and easy access to Svartsö Krog and its glamping tents. At Norra Svartsö, you will find the”Skärgårdshotell”. From there, head west on a forest path north of Storträsk Lake. Be sure to take a dip if you feel like it! After a while, the trail turns south along a locally marked path until it joins the gravel road west of Alsvik. Follow this road east past Alsvik, between Storträsk and Lillträsk, heading toward the center of the island. You will first come to a southern turnoff toward Skälvik’s ferry quay and then arrive at a four-way junction, the heart of the Svartsö trail.
The four-way junction is a place you will pass several times. Head south to find the school and Bistro Sågen, north to return to the “Skärgårdshotell” or continue east on the gravel road where the trail circles back via a beautifully marked local path.
Everywhere you will be surrounded by scenic open pastures.
The Svartsö, Brottö, Ingmarsö, Finnhamn, and Möja trail sections form a cohesive archipelago micro-experience. Here, you can spend a fantastic week exploring different settings packed with memorable adventures.
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 Svartsö, almost all sections of the trail are suitable for strollers, for wheelchairs or for those with limited mobility. From the various ferry quays, you can really set off in any direction on the trail. The only exceptions might be the path heading south on the western side and the one that loops back on the eastern side, north of Söderboudd. The four-way junction at the center of the island provides many options in different directions, making it easy to explore.
Frequent questions about Svartsö
On the western side of Svartsö, the trail follows a path marked with sunflowers, while on the eastern side, it follows a path marked with bluebells.
You can take the ferry from Svartsö to Ingmarsö and back, giving you access to additional trail sections.
Bicycles are available for rent in Alsvik and at the Svartsö Skärgårdshotell.
About Svartsö
Svartsö is one of the larger islands in Stockholm’s central archipelago, located in Värmdö Municipality. Approximately 65 residents live here year-round.
In the 1500s, farms were established in Alsvik and Skälvik, which later grew into small villages. Agriculture has always played a central role on the island.
Svartsö experienced renewed growth in the early 1900s when summer cottages began to be built. The heritage center, west of Alsvik, is a former mission house from the 1880s and is one of the oldest in the archipelago.
Svartsö offers an excellent grocery store, a school, a variety of accommodations and two popular restaurants. The island’s nature is inviting and beautiful.
Plan your trip
You can reach Svartsö year-round from Stockholm City via Vaxholm, Åsättra Brygga or Boda. During the summer, you can also travel via the North/South ferry line.
You can search for Svartsö in general, or by the specific quays: Alsvik, Skälvik, Norra Svartsö or Söderboudd in the Google travel planner below.
Eat, sleep and do on Svartsö
On Svartsö, you will find a range of accommodations and dining options.
Svartsö Skärgårdshotell & vandrarhem, Svartsö sjöbodar by the general store and Svartsö Logi (glamping tents) all offer different experiences.
You will find the best food at Bistro Sågen or Svartsö Krog.
The general store Lanthandeln in Alsvik has most necessities, both here and at the Svartsö Skärgårdshotell you can rent bikes. There is a guest harbor in Alsvik as well.
Svartsö Skärgårdshotell also has a wonderful sauna available for rent. You can rent kayaks at Svartsö Kajak and there is plenty more to explore. Check out the Svartsö official website for more fun activities.
Svartsö is known for its welcoming atmosphere. For additional ideas, visit explorearchipelago.
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