Discover Stavsjö

Stavsjö combines the natural beauty of Kolmården with lakes, varied hiking trails and an unusually tangible industrial history. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Stavsjö will find inspiration here for active days, relaxing hours by the water and discoveries along historic transport and waterways. The combination of short circular trails, longer hikes and places where the region’s history remains visible is particularly appealing.

Hiking by Skiren and in Kolmården

The Skiren runt circular trail is an easy-to-follow route. It starts at the old inn in Stavsjö, passes through the Kolmården landscape and follows the shores of Lake Skiren for almost its entire length. The route is 4.5 kilometres long and is considered easy to walk. Several bathing spots and a prepared barbecue area on the southern shore add to the hiking experience. This means you can plan the loop according to your own interests: explore the lakeshore landscape, take a break by the water or combine the outing with a stop at the barbecue area.

For longer days of hiking, the Sörmlandsleden passes through Stavsjö. From here, hikes in the natural surroundings of Kolmården can begin. In addition, circular hikes of about 16 or 9 kilometres are possible from Stavsjö Klint or the hostel in Stavsjö, through easy to moderately challenging terrain. These different route lengths allow you to adapt your daily plans to the desired level of hiking intensity without having to commit to just one type of tour.

Water, bathing spots and cycling routes

If water is part of your holiday, Stavsjöbadet on Lake Stavsjön provides another practical destination. The bathing area has been adapted for accessibility and features a car park, changing rooms and a jetty. Together with the bathing spots at Skiren, this creates a holiday setting in which hiking and time by the water can be combined.

Stavsjö also has a historic route for a cycling tour. A 9-kilometre hiking and cycling trail now runs along the remains of the Nunnebanan railway embankment. The Nunnebanan itself was built to transport wood damaged by the nun moth infestation from Stavsjö to Sandviken. For anyone who enjoys combining landscapes with regional history while travelling, this route offers a particularly vivid connection to the town’s past.

Water power and railway history

Stavsjö’s history can also be seen in its waterways. Dammkärret lies 14 metres higher than Lake Stavsjön. This difference in elevation made it possible to operate many water wheels. The second loop of the dam trails leads to the large dam at Rökens kärr and adds another historic landscape feature to the hiking options.

The region’s past also includes the historic Stavsjö Järnväg, which had a station in Stavsjö Bruk. On the last evening of April, the Valborg bonfire is lit at Slaggudden every year. The event includes spring songs performed by the Stavsjöventilerna choir and a speech by an invited guest. This recurring event brings a local tradition into your holiday plans, while the railway and water-power history remains a theme for exploration throughout the year.

Which accommodation suits your stay

When looking for a holiday apartment in Stavsjö, it is worth deciding first what kind of daily rhythm you want. For a manageable hike and an outing to the lake, you could focus on Skiren runt or Stavsjöbadet. If longer hikes are to be the main focus, the Sörmlandsleden, the circular hikes from Stavsjö Klint or the hostel, and the dam trails can shape your holiday plans. For a combination of activity and history, the hiking and cycling trail along the Nunnebanan railway embankment is another option.

Stavsjö is therefore a destination for travellers who do not want to view nature experiences in isolation: lakes, hiking trails, bathing spots, water power and railway history are all different themes to incorporate into your holiday. The right accommodation provides a base from which to choose your own priorities, without every day of your holiday having to look the same.

For the overall travel overview: Nyköping.