Easy hiking trails in the Uppsala area

Vårdsätra Shore Walk

Do you find water to have a calming effect? On the Vårdsätra Shore Walk, you’ll stroll side by side with the Ekoln Bay the entire way. This is one of Uppsala Municipality’s most impressive and well-designed walking trails.

The promenade stretches from Vårdsätraviken along the Håga River to Lurbo, connected by gravel paths and wide wooden walkways with several rest areas along the route. It’s a 3 km trail built with accessibility in mind — making it perfectly suited for wheelchairs and strollers. Here you’ll find a map of the area.

Feeling hungry after your walk? At Skarholmen Point, you’ll find Palazzo Skarholmen, a beautifully located Italian restaurant overlooking the water.

Gula Stigen – from Studenternas to Skarholmen

In the category of “light hiking,” you’ll find Gula Stigen, which is also part of the Upplandsleden Trail. This 10 km hiking route stretches from Studenternas IP in the north to Skarholmen in the south. The trail dates back to the 1930s and takes its name from the recurring yellow markers that guide the way.

Despite its proximity to the city, Gula Stigen offers remarkably varied scenery — admire the 300-year-old pines in Kronparken Nature Reserve, explore the unique Natura 2000 areas around Bäcklösa and Ultuna’s meadows, and finish your journey at the shores of Lake Mälaren. Here you’ll find a map of the area.

From the city to Gamla Uppsala – Eriksleden

Gamla Uppsala, with its royal burial mounds from the late Iron Age, is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The culturally rich Eriksleden Trail lets you hike all the way from the city centre to Gamla Uppsala. The first stretch, between Uppsala Cathedral and Tunaberg Church, winds through urban settings and follows the Fyris River northwards. The final section, from Domarringen across Röbo–Tunåsen, showcases the beauty of the Uppland countryside.

Want to impress your hiking companion with a bit of historical trivia? Tell them that Eriksleden is named after Saint Erik (Erik the Holy) — it follows the route along which his relics were once carried in procession.

When you arrive at this remarkable heritage site, be sure to explore the fascinating stories of the area at the Gamla Uppsala Museum. Then, stop by Odinsborg, the restaurant and café housed in an eye-catching wooden building inspired by Old Norse architecture, where you can enjoy Swedish classics like meatballs with lingonberry sauce, shrimp sandwiches, fresh salads, or delicious waffles with homemade jam and cream.

A full day along the Linnaeus Trails

Walk in the footsteps of a scientific legend. Carl Linnaeus — the father of modern taxonomy — researched, taught, and wandered throughout the Uppsala region as part of his extraordinary life’s work. His eight botanical excursions, known as herbations, now make up the Linnaeus Trails. Markers along the routes indicate where Linnaeus once lectured his students about the flora and fauna of the area during the summer months.

Starting your hike from central Uppsala? Then the Danmark Trail is a great choice. Beginning at the Fyris River harbour, this 16 km route first passes Kungsängen, where the iconic snake’s head lilies bloom in full splendour each May. The trail then follows Sävjaån River toward Linnaeus’ Sävja, before continuing on to the picturesque Linnaeus’ Hammarby. Once there, take a well-deserved coffee break at the café, browse the shop, explore the museum grounds, and enjoy the beautiful cultivated landscape. (Please note that the Linnaeus Hammarby museum and café are open only during the summer season, May through September.)

If you’d rather explore the Vaksala Trail (9 km), there’s a large dedicated parking area at Österleden in Nyby, where the route begins. The Linnaeus Trails are marked in blue on this map.

All eight Linnaeus Trails:

• Gottsunda Trail
• Ultuna Trail
• Håga Trail
• Danmark Trail
• Gamla Uppsala Trail
• Vaksala Trail
• Husby Trail
• Jumkil Trail

Climb King Björn’s Mound in Hågadalen

Looking for the perfect picnic spot within walking distance from Uppsala? King Björn’s Mound, located in the Hågadalen–Nåsten Nature Reserve on the city’s western edge, is certainly a top contender. Surrounded by scenic meadows and grazing pastures, the mound is named after King Björn of Uppland, who, according to legend, had a farm in Håga in the 9th century. In reality, however, the hill is a burial mound from the Bronze Age, built for a local chieftain.

King Björn’s Mound is just one of many highlights along the trails of Hågadalen–Nåsten. Butterfly enthusiasts will love the 3.5 km Butterfly Trail, one of Sweden’s richest routes in terms of species — home to no less than 58 different day butterflies and burnet moths. Two of the Linnaeus Trails also pass through the reserve: the Gottsunda Trail and the Håga Trail.

An Active Outdoor Life in the Sunnerstaåsen Recreation Area

Sunnerstagropen, part of the Sunnerstaåsen Recreation Area, isn’t just home to Uppsala’s only ski slope — it’s also where Aktivt Uteliv keeps the city’s sports and outdoor centre vibrant all year round. The area offers numerous trails for hiking and outdoor activities. Choose from the following:

• 3.4 km illuminated fitness trail, perfect for a brisk walk or jog.
• 3 km nature and culture trail, where you can learn how the landscape has changed since the Ice Age. Did you know that at the top of the ridge, there are remains of an ancient hillfort dating back to around 400 AD?
• 9 km walking and cycling path that follows the Fyris River all the way to the City Garden in central Uppsala.
• 25 km section of the Upplandsleden Trail, starting in Sunnersta and continuing east through the Norra Lunsen Nature Reserve all the way to the outdoor area at Fjällnora.

If you’re in the mood for a bite to eat, you can enjoy your packed lunch at one of the area’s grill spots or stop by the cosy café at Sunnerstastugan.