Discover Utö

Utö Between Coast and Mining History

Utö combines coastal swimming, nature watching and mining history. Waxholmsbolaget boats travel to Gruvbryggan all year round. In summer, there are additional connections from Strömkajen in Stockholm; Årsta brygga is accessible by bus.

The northern part of Utö is a nature reserve managed by Skärgårdsstiftelsen. At the same time, Utö is part of the Stockholm Archipelago Trail and is one of its 20 stages. Trails run along the entire northern coast and around Ålö. A popular excursion leads from Gruvbyn on Utö to Ålö and is approximately 13 kilometres long.

Swimming, Birds and Nature Experiences

There are cliffs for swimming at Rävstavik in the north of Utö. Barnens bad beach is just north of Gruvbyn. At Allmänna badplatsen, there is a diving tower and bathing jetties. Utö Storsand is a sandy beach within the Utö military training area. Before visiting, you should check whether military exercises are taking place on the day in question.

Kroka is considered a good place for birdwatching. Migrating birds of prey and smaller birds reach the area particularly in autumn, when winds blow from the west and northwest. There is a birdwatching tower beside a wetland on Utö, offering views of the area's diverse birdlife. Våtmark Fladen is also suitable for birdwatching and is a detour on the Utö Runt hiking trail.

The blue-and-yellow-marked Utö Runt hiking trail is approximately 15 kilometres long. It passes old fishermen's huts, through primeval forest and across boardwalks. In midsummer, the protected Apollo butterfly flies over the rocky areas north of Tremaskogen; northern Utö is also known for its numerous butterflies.

Hiking, Paddling and Active Days

Aktiv Skärgård offers various guided kayaking tours. You can also rent kayaks there for independent paddling. Gruvbyn has a free outdoor gym. Next to Seglarbaren is a tennis court that can be booked and paid for through Aktiv Skärgård in summer. There is also a minigolf course next to Seglarbaren.

Utö hosts the ÖTILLÖ race and the Swimrun World Championship. The first documented swimrun began in 2002 with a 70-kilometre crossing of the Stockholm archipelago from Utö to Sandhamn.

Mining, Churches and Island History

Iron mining at Utö gruvor began as early as the 12th century and continued intermittently for more than 700 years. The small, simple wooden houses along Lurgatan are the best-preserved buildings in Gruvbyn. West of Gruvbyn stands a windmill worth seeing, built in 1791. Utö gruvmuseum displays ores and rocks from the island, along with photographs and descriptions of the former iron processing industry.

Utö kyrka was completed in 1850. The stone for the church was quarried directly from the island's mines; it is considered the largest stone church in the archipelago. A memorial grove by a lake near the church offers views of the sea.

Further insights are offered by the Arnolds MC Museum, with motorcycles from the 1930s to current models and various curiosities, as well as Utö Hembygdsgård. It includes the old Ramsvik croft, which was moved from the southern part of Utö to its present location near Spränga brygga in the late 1940s. Part of Hembygdsgård is furnished like a kitchen from the early 20th century.

Traces of Former Settlements

The sites of the former crofts are signposted. The abandoned cemetery is also signposted; it was used as a burial ground until 1920. The renowned Utö bread, sold at the bakery, is another local speciality.

If you would like to compare Utö with other destinations in the same wider area, you can also find Muskö, Österhaninge, Dalarö, Tungelsta, Ornö, Västerhaninge, Haninge and Vendelsö.

Back to the wider travel overview: Haninge.