Vallentuna: Runes, Mill History and Walking Routes

If you are interested in runes and the history of older settlements, Vallentuna offers some tangible points of interest. There is also a choice of walking routes in the town centre and surrounding area. You can shape your stay around cultural history, outdoor activity or a mix of the two.

Runes and Local History

There are different types of runic inscriptions in and around Vallentuna Church. A Latin missal from the church is of particular historical interest: it was written in 1198 and is considered the oldest surviving Swedish book.

Runriket provides a broader context for the history of runes. It comprises nine cultural heritage sites around Lake Vallentuna in Täby and Vallentuna. The area is in the forests surrounding the lake and is free for everyone to visit. The ancient monuments along Runriket are clearly marked. Since the sites are spread across Täby and Vallentuna, Runriket covers a wider cultural area than the town centre alone.

Mill History and Music in May

Väsby Mill stands on a small hill between Vallentuna Church and Kvarnbadet, near Vallentuna Centrum. After a fire caused by arson in 2008, the mill was rebuilt and reopened on 19 May 2019. The annual Musik vid kvarnen event, featuring music and dancing, takes place here in late May. Check the date before your trip if you would like to plan your visit around it.

Walks in the Centre and by the Lake

Björkby-Kyrkviken Nature Reserve is close to the centre of Vallentuna, in an open agricultural landscape by Lake Vallentuna and Vallentuna Church. There are plenty of benches and several rest areas along the lakeside promenade. The scenery here is different from that along the walking routes right in the centre.

Hälsans stig includes two routes here: Centrumslingan is three kilometres long, and the route through Ekeby is five kilometres. The surface is level and firm; the routes can be used on foot, in a wheelchair or with a walking frame. Kilometre markers are posted, and there are several benches along the way. Comparing the route lengths can help with planning your day without needing to estimate how long the walks will take.

Another route is the approximately four-kilometre Olhamraleden. It runs from Vallentuna Centrum via Vallentuna IP to Olhamra and on to the entrance of Angarnsjöängen Nature Reserve. Along the way, forest resembling old-growth forest alternates with rocky areas and marsh-like wetlands.

Routes in the Surrounding Area

The blue-marked Ubbysjön Runt route runs for two kilometres around Lake Ubbysjön; two sections cross boardwalks. There are also two wind shelters and barbecue areas along the route. The lake itself is characterised by reeds, bushes and open water, and offers favourable habitats for birds.

Veda Nature Trail is also nearby. The longer loop is approximately five kilometres long, while a shorter option is approximately 4.2 kilometres. The trail passes through varied woodland by Lake Storsjön, where many birds can be found along the shore. A picnic table with a view of the lake and parking by the riding school make it easier to find your way around.

Activities in Different Seasons

An ice-skating track is prepared on Lake Vallentuna when the core ice layer is at least 15 centimetres thick. In favourable conditions, it can be up to 15 kilometres long. When there is enough snow, a cross-country ski trail is also groomed. Both options depend on the prevailing ice and snow conditions.

In the warmer months, the municipally operated outdoor Kvarnbadet swimming pool is open from June to August. It has a heated 50-metre pool, a 17.5-metre pool for swimming lessons and children who are less confident swimmers, and a paddling pool. Check the season dates before your visit.

Cultural Centre and Photo Archive

Kulturrummet at Vallentuna Kulturhus has 160 seats and is used for theatre, concerts, film screenings, cultural lunches and lectures. At Konstkuben, Vallentuna Municipality and the Vallentuna Art Association present organised exhibitions of contemporary art.

The Vallentuna photo archive contains nearly 9,000 photographs. They document how people in the region have lived and worked from the late 19th century to the present day. Visitors can view around 6,000 photos from the archive in the local history section on the upper floor of the library. Under the name Vallentuniana, the section also features literature about Vallentuna, material about Vallentunabroderiet and images from the archive. You can borrow books about Vallentuna from the collection or read them on site.

Discover more destinations: Brottby.

Go to the main travel overview: Vallentuna.