Upplands Väsby: Nature, Rune Trails and Historic Landscapes

In Upplands Väsby, Viking Age history meets nature reserves, long pilgrimage trails and landscapes around Lake Mälaren. A prominent historic site is Vikingagården Gunnes gård in the Smedby area: The open-air museum is a reconstruction of a Viking Age farm from the early 11th century.

Culture and history

Eds kyrka is located by Lake Edssjön and is one of the medieval churches of Upplands Väsby. The oldest parts date from the middle or latter half of the 12th century. The church is normally closed to visitors; by prior arrangement, it may be opened at times when staff are available. There are also 76 runic inscriptions to discover in the municipality.

Hammarby kyrka on the southern shore of Lake Fysingen is also a medieval church. The area around it is rich in burial grounds and runestones from pre-Christian times. A guided visit to Gunnes gård includes a visit to one or more of the farm’s buildings, as well as a tour among archaeological remains and possibly animals on the farm grounds.

Hiking and trails

Fornslingan passes the Smedby and Vilunda farms, which date from the Late Iron Age. Its starting point is outside the gate of Vikingagården Gunnes gård. The Hälsans stig loops in Upplands Väsby are each seven kilometres long.

In western Upplands Väsby, Upplandsleden runs through the Sättra and Kairo areas. A detour leads to Runsa fornborg, where there is a ship setting dating from the 5th or 6th century. Tegeludden is also located along Upplandsleden and is suitable for taking a break and having a barbecue.

Birgittavandringen is a nine-kilometre pilgrimage trail in the eastern part of the municipality; Fresta kyrka is designated as a suitable starting point. The trail is a hiking and pilgrimage route for pilgrims, Sunday walkers and families with children. The longer Ingegerdsleden is 110 kilometres long and runs from Storkyrkan in Stockholm to Uppsala domkyrka. In Upplands Väsby, it passes several churches, historic sites and other attractions.

Upplevelsestråket follows old waterways between Saltsjön and Lake Mälaren. These waterways were already used for transport during the Viking Age. The trail comprises twelve stages and is just over 40 kilometres long in total. As a nature trail, Sagostigen is not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.

Nature and water

Several nature reserves showcase different landscapes. Vallensjö naturreservat was established in 2006, covers approximately 16 hectares and consists of a natural forest dominated by coniferous trees. Sättra Gårds naturreservat encompasses approximately 213 hectares of cultural landscape around Sättra gård by Lake Mälaren. Norra Törnskogens naturreservat covers approximately 108 hectares and is located east of Norrviken.

Eggeby fornpark combines a rich natural and cultural landscape with archaeological remains and fallow deer. On Lake Mälaren, Vikingaleden is an 80-kilometre canoe route running along the lake shores past hillforts and castles. Kairobadet has an accessible jetty for wheelchair users.

There are several public bridleways in the area around Sättra gård and Väsby ridklubb in western Upplands Väsby. A marked mountain biking trail is located in Apoteksskogen.

Getting there

Commuter trains from Stockholm City, Märsta and Uppsala stop at Upplands Väsby station. The commuter train journey from Stockholm to Upplands Väsby takes approximately 28 minutes.

To the main travel overview: Stockholm.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Upplands-Bro, Björkö, Vaxholm, Yxlan, Täby, Danderyd, Lidingö.