Brottby: Cycling Trails, Waterways and Medieval Traces

Those who want to combine cycling and history will find various starting points for planning their trip in Brottby. Össeby IP has a mountain bike trail. The Brottbystigen also offers an approximately 1.1-kilometre triangular loop along the watercourse. The trail connects the existing cycle path along the old Norrtäljevägen with the grass path through the burial ground to Kvarnbacken, forming a loop.

Cycling Routes and Trails Around Brottby

The Brottbystigen passes the historic site of Garns Bro. This makes it possible to combine a short stretch of trail with a historical connection without equating the route with a longer stage. Those planning a longer hike or cycling tour can consider stage 3 of the Roslagsleden. It runs from Örsta to Lövhagen and is 16 kilometres long. At the bridge in Brottby, the Roslagsleden crosses the Långhundraleden.

The development of the local paths is also relevant for finding your way around the area. The construction project for a pedestrian and cycle path in Brottby and Össeby-Garn is intended to improve safe access to bus stops and other destinations for pedestrians and cyclists. For your planning, it is important to distinguish between the existing Brottbystigen, the long-distance trails mentioned above and the planned construction project.

Waterways and Historic Landscape

The Långhundraleden was a Viking Age waterway between Uppsala and the Baltic Sea. This historic connection gives Brottby an additional cultural and historical dimension that extends beyond today’s paths. The Össeby church ruin near Brottby gård is the remnant of Vallentuna’s ninth medieval church and its ninth medieval parish. Today, the ruin is mainly used for summer services and weddings.

The area’s sacred history also includes Össeby Church and Össeby-Garns kyrka. Össeby Church was probably consecrated at the end of the 14th century. Össeby-Garns kyrka is a Romanesque stone church from the 13th century. It has preserved its medieval ground plan and medieval form, which are typical of rural churches in Uppland. The building is made of natural stone; the surrounds and the decorative masonry in the eastern gable contain brick.

More Destinations for Culture Enthusiasts

In Brottby, Klockarborg consists of two 19th-century houses on Garnsviken. The windmill has also been preserved at its original location. Vallentuna skolmuseum is housed in the former school building of Össeby-Garn, which was used as a school from 1887 to 1965. These places complement the history of the churches and trails with architectural evidence from different periods.

If you are looking for accommodation in Brottby, you can base your choice on the activities you want to include each day: a short loop by the water, a longer stage on the Roslagsleden, a mountain bike trail or cultural and historical attractions each offer a different focus. For further regional orientation, you can also visit Vallentuna.

For the overarching travel overview: Vallentuna.