Hike and row the Archipelago

Explore the islands outside Stockholm

The outlying Stockholm Archipelago is a natural paradise offering something for everyone with its whispering pine trees, smooth islets and colourful orchid meadows. Incredibly, there are over 25,000 islands and smaller skerries just in the area around Stockholm, which have risen slowly after the last ice age some 10,000 years ago. This is a full day tour exploring the islands by ferries, by foot and by row boat. If you have time you can also stay overnight at the picturesque hostel.

One of Europe's wildest and most unique areas

The islands actually start right in the middle of the city, with the islands near Stockholm being virtually suburbs of the Swedish capital. Other parts are uninhabited and are still among the wildest areas in Europe. None of the islands are quite like the other: Some are forest-clad, some rise high above the sea - others are low, bare slabs of rock called “skerries”. On some of the islands it takes several hours to walk from one end to the other whereas it is possible to swim around others in a couple of minutes.

Full day tour in the archipelago

This fantastic seascape, situated just outside an historic capital, might seem like it is a paradise for tourists. There are, however, few tourists to be seen in the archipelago even at the peak season in July. Here we will do full day trip by a comfortable ferry boat and by foot. We will also use row boats to be able to cross between the islands. But there is no need to have previous experience of rowing. Our guide will show you how.

Program

At 8.30 you will take the morning Waxholm ferry boat from the dock of Strömkajen, just in front of Grand hotel, on the other side of the water from the Royal palace. You will spend 2.5 hours on the boat passing hundreds of islands before you arrive in the island of Ingmarsö. Here our local guide will meet you on the dock to explore the forest and the sea shores. Perhaps you will take a swim before our picnic lunch. We will use row boats to cross from the nature reserve Kålgårdsön to the neighbouring islands of Finnhamn. If you don't know how to row, the guide will teach you. There are several options for walking, 6-8 km (3 hours) depending on the wishes of the group.

In the late afternoon you catch the ferry back to Stockholm, arriving about 8.30 pm.  You can have dinner on board at your own cost. There are, however, also the option that you have dinner in the nice restaurant at Finnhamn or even to stay overnight in the picturesque hostel situated between the smooth rocks with stunning views of the islands.

Share on Facebook