Overview
A seven day, self-guided adventure, hiking the Stockholm Archipelago, which is made up over over 24,000 islands. Follow easy, well-marked trails, starting in Stockholm and then island-hopping to the pine forests of Dalarö, beaches of Fjärdlång and Utö, and the nature reserve on Ornö. This is an idyllic and truly sustainable way to explore Sweden, staying in a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, enjoying traditional Swedish summer festivals, and feasting on fine local food. As this walking holiday also ends in Stockholm, you have plenty of time to enjoy the capital city outside peak seasons.
Please note that although this is a spring and autumn itinerary, we do also have another itinerary for hiking the Stockholm Archipelago in summer.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Stockholm
Arrive in Stockholm and, depending on your arrival time, take some time to explore one of Scandinavia’s grandest capitals, built across 14 islands. Stroll through 13th-century Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s charming old town. Alternatively, stroll around Södermalm, famous for its cool vintage stores, galleries and contemporary boutiques. If you’re keen to start walking, we recommend a self-guided tour of Djurgården island, or Stockholm’s Ekopark, a 27km2 green oasis which is also the world’s first national urban park.
- Accommodation: Hellstens Malmgård Hotel, Hellsten, Hellsten Glashus, Rex Hotel or a similar 3/4-star hotel
Day 2: Stockholm to Dalarö | 4-10km
Today your walk starts on your doorstep. It takes you on a historical and picturesque tour of Stockholm’s southern island, Södermalm. Explore the district’s narrow cobblestone alleys, timber cottages dating back to the 1600s, and grand churches. Take in the stunning views across lake Mälaren towards the old town, city hall and Djurgården. Then take the late afternoon boat from central Stockholm to the idyllic village of Dalarö, passing houses of the rich and famous lining the shore as you leave Stockholm and then into a unique landscape of pine-covered islands as you weave your way through this archipelago of thousands of islands. Dalarö is your first taste of archipelago village life, as the village starts to enjoy its first guests in the spring months and wind down after a busy summer in the autumn months.
- Walking for the day: 4-10km
- Accommodation: Dalarö cottage
Day 3: Fjärdlång Island | 7-14km
This morning you can explore the picturesque village of Dalarö, with its narrow streets of colourful wooden houses, before taking the boat out to Fjärdlång island. Despite being on the edge of bustling Stockholm, Fjärdlång could not be more remote and the whole island has been declared a nature reserve. Marked footpaths wind their way through the island’s woodland so you can spend the day hiking around the island. Don’t miss a trip to the island’s highest point, Tysta Klint, where you can admire the spectacular views over the archipelago. There is also the chance to island-hop to Kymmendö on either your way to Fjärdlång or way back to Dalarö, where August Strindberg spent many summers and got the inspiration for his novel Hemsöborna.
- Walking for the day: 7-14km
- Accommodation: Dalarö cottage
Day 4: Ornö Island | 12-15km
This morning you take the ferry over to Ornö, and then a connecting bus takes you the short way to the start of your hike around Mane Äng. Ornö is the largest island in the southern archipelago that remains today an island with a living community yet to be discovered by large-scale tourism. Your hike takes you through the nature reserve, passing forests, open landscapes and coastal scenery. You can also take advantage of the island’s pod taxi to take you to the start of the walk up to Ornö’s viewpoint on Telegrafberget, the southern archipelago’s highest point. Time permitting, you can also hike the Levassastigen heritage trail with information
boards explaining the cultural history of the island (spring itinerary).
At the end point, Sundby gård, you are transported by local bus to either Ornö Kyrka (spring itinerary) or direct to the ferry for your return to Dalarö (autumn itinerary).
- Walking for the day: 12-15km
- Accommodation: Dalarö cottage
Day 5: Gålö Peninsula, Årsta and Utö Island | 5-12km
Today a taxi transfers you to Skälåker on Gålö peninsula where there is a spectacular loop walk passing through changing scenery of woodland and coast with views at every turn. Your hike ends at a beautiful sandy beach, the perfect place to rest your weary feet. Enjoy the scenery and calmness until the taxi collects you and takes you to the jetty at Årsta Brygga, where you meet the boat that takes you to the holiday island of Utö (30mins).
- Walking for the day: 5-12km
- Accommodation: Utö Värdshus or similar
Day 6: Utö Island / Stockholm | 6-15km
Enjoy the calmer pace that Utö offers in the spring and autumn seasons and walk the loop in the nature reserve around the northern end of the island, stopping to enjoy the smooth waterside rocks, white sandy beaches and breathe the fresh, pure archipelago air. The small village of Gruvbyn also has something to offer with its mine, museum and windmill high up on the hilltop. Shops and restaurants give it a friendly atmosphere, even off high summer season. You then say farewell to the islands and catch your late afternoon boat back to the mainland. You then take the connecting bus and train back to Stockholm.
- Walking for the day: 6-15km
- Accommodation: Hellstens Malmgård Hotel, Hellsten, Hellsten Glashus, Rex Hotel or a similar 3/4-star hotel
Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodations on this tour include a mix of charming 3-star hotels and cottages. They have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere, cuisine and/or unique services.
Click to view default hotels/cottages
*Accommodations are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. You can have dinner at the hotel you are staying at or at the village restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
The grade is easy to moderate, and the longest day is 15km. Daily walking distances are flexible. The walking is not challenging (3-4 hours per day), but it is an undulating landscape with many hills, and some stretches may be a bit boggy if it has rained recently (read more about difficulty grades). The trail follows well-maintained footpaths, and the trails are waymarked. Comprehensive route notes and maps are supplied. You can also call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
We can organise this trip only in late May, June, late August and early September, on selected Thursdays only. For larger groups, we can arrange departures on other days of the week. If you are a seasoned and well-equipped hiker, we can eventually book you on off-season dates.
Please note that the departure on 1 September 2026 will be done in reverse due to a swim-run competition in Utö. It will also be one day longer with an extra night in Utö. And you need to take public transport from Dalarö to Stockholm at the end of the tour, as the boat doesn’t run on Mondays.
For summer departures, please consider our Sörmland & Stockholm Walking Holiday in Summer.
For more information, see our blog post, Best time to go to Sweden.
Important update: all departure dates for 2026 have now sold out. We are currently working on the 2027 departure schedule and bookings will be available soon.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By train or bus
- The Arlanda express train takes you from Arlanda Airport to the city centre in 20 minutes
- Flygbussarna Airport Coaches run buses from Skavsta Airport to the centre of Stockholm, which takes about 80 minutes.
Included
- 6 nights in 3-star hotels and cottages as listed in the itinerary
- 6 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer/storage: Dalarö jetty/Dalarö cottage (Day 2), Skälåker, Gålö (Day 5)
- Car transfers: Stockholm accommodation/Stockholm jetty (Day 2), Dalarö/Skälåker, Gålö (Day 5), Skälåker, Gålö/Årsta Brygga (Day 5), Stockholm central station/Stockholm accommodation (Day 6)
- Detailed journey documentation and practical information: personalised trip notes and maps (emailed before departure and a hard copy provided at first hotel; one set per room)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Boat fare: Stockholm/Dalarö (Day 2), Dalarö/Fjärdlång (Day 3), Fjärdlång/Dalarö (Day 3), Alt: Fjärdlång/Kymmendö (Day 3), Alt: Kymmendö/Dalarö (Day 3), Dalarö/Ornö (Day 4), Ornö/Dalarö (Day 4) Årsta Brygga/Utö (Day 5), Utö/Årsta Brygga (Day 6)
- Bus/train fare: Ornö Sundby/Ornö Kyrka (Day 4), Årsta Brygga/Stockholm (Day 6)
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room – upon request only (shared cabin with two separate bedrooms in Utö)
- This holiday is NOT available for solo travellers
- Extra nights in Stockholm or Utö are bookable upon request
