Holiday apartment in Valdemarsvik: archipelago, trails and island experiences

A holiday apartment in Valdemarsvik is ideal for a trip where nature experiences, island history and active days are closely connected. The archipelago landscape extends from hiking trails and small inland lakes to bathing spots, paddling routes and excursions to the islands. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you mainly want to hike, spend time on the water, discover culture or combine different interests.

Holiday apartment in Valdemarsvik between trails, lakes and sea

In Valdemarsvik, the Östgötaleden trail passes through a cultural landscape, by several small inland lakes and in stages through the archipelago landscape. The Valdemarsvik–Tryserum section passes Grännäs havsbad, where swimming is possible. There is a sandy beach, jetties with bathing ladders, as well as opportunities for cliff diving and a diving tower north of the beach.

For a more compact route through the central town, the 3.5-kilometre cultural and health loop is a good option. It leads through Valdemarsvik, has a partly accessibility-adapted section and features nine information boards about health and local cultural history. Cyclists will also encounter different surfaces: in Valdemarsvik, there are opportunities to cycle on asphalt, gravel and trails.

Those planning a longer hike can reach the Kvädöfjärden Nature Reserve on foot via the Östgötaleden from Valdemarsvik; the route is approximately 40 kilometres long. At the stage destination in Tryserum, overnight accommodation is available in a wind shelter and a youth hostel. From Fyrudden, hikers can take the bus back to Valdemarsvik.

Archipelago nature, bathing spots and observations

There are 21 nature reserves in Valdemarsvik Municipality, most of which can be visited year-round. Ekön Nature Reserve is located in a typical archipelago landscape and offers rocky and sandy beaches suitable for swimming. Gamlebofjärden Nature Reserve is situated immediately beside the village of Gryt and can be reached by Östgötatrafiken bus between Valdemarsvik and Fyrudden; the “Gryt” stop can be used for getting off.

More than 9 kilometres of well-marked hiking trails run across Ämtö. The hiking loops on Torrö are approximately 6.5 kilometres long in total, often run close to the sea and offer opportunities for swimming. The Åsvikelandet hiking area combines trails with sea views, a rich variety of birdlife and hiking loops. In autumn, Häradskär is a resting place for migrating small birds.

Islands, lighthouse and waterways

The Häradskär Lighthouse is a 29-metre-high, red-painted iron tower designed under the direction of Gustaf von Heidenstam. It was built in 1863 and was the first Swedish lighthouse with a rotating lens. On Häradskär, a hiking trail leads through an old cultural landscape. In the 17th century, a pilot station was established there, guiding shipping for almost 300 years.

The boat trip from Fyrudden to Häradskär takes approximately 20 minutes and passes through the Gryt archipelago. From the harbour, water taxis operate to Häradskär if you want to hike the Östgötaleden in the outer Gryt archipelago. The Grytstriangeln begins at Ekön Nature Reserve and is a paddling route measuring 40 kilometres in total, depending on the route chosen.

Catch More Fish offers guided fishing trips in Valdemarsvik for anglers. Boats and kayaks can be rented there; fishing is possible from a boat, from land and on the ice. Valdemarsvik harbour has 76 guest berths for boats and 31 pitches for motorhomes, all with electricity connections.

Culture, history and local products

Fågelviks herrgård in Tryserum is a protected historic building. The Harstena Museum houses the village school and the tar distillery building. The Trankokeriet in Harstena is one of the listed historic buildings and dates from 1911. Fresh bread can be bought daily on Harstena.

Gusums Bruk produced a large number of different products from 1653 until the end of 1988. The museum building in Syntorp is closed; parts of the Gusum Bruk Museum collection are now displayed in the library at Folkets Hus in Gusum. Visits to the Svenska Fergusonklubben Museum are possible by appointment with the association’s office.

Another regional address is Holmtebo Gårdsbutik. It offers home-grown and locally produced delicacies, goods from several local producers, as well as some art and handicrafts. This allows you to focus on different aspects—from days in nature and island excursions to historical insights and regional products—without losing sight of the character of the archipelago landscape.

More places: Valdemarsvik, Östra Ed, Ringarum, Gryt, Skeppsgården

To the higher-level travel overview: Östergötland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Mjölby, Motala, Linköping.