Hiking along Väddö Canal at Roslagsleden stage 10.
Photo: Visit Roslagen - Bosse Lind
Hiking along Väddö Canal at Roslagsleden stage 10.
Photo: Visit Roslagen - Bosse Lind

Roslagsleden stage 10 Gåsvik - Sandviken

Hiking
Running
Trail running
Near parking
Near Public Transport
Near toilet

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County: Stockholms län
125.73 km away from you

Trail details

Length 8.7 km
Time 135
Difficulty Blue - medium

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Description

The shortest section of the Roslagsleden trail is characterized by hiking along the Väddö Canal and in older agricultural landscapes. The section ends with a magical view of the Sea of Åland from the sandy beach of Sandviken.

The section starts at Bagghusbron and the Väddö Canal inlet. The canal was built in the 16th century on the orders of Swedens first king, Gustav Vasa. In the early 19th century, the canal was dredged and widened by 300 soldiers assigned there and was reopened in 1840. Along the canal is the Roslagens Maritime Museum, which is worth a visit. At Storfjärden you can also read about invented and funny bird species on signs in "Fågelskogen". Fishing is also popular in th waters of the canal.

About halfway through the hike, you reach the community of Älmsta with services such as a pharmacy, grocery store, shops, accommodation and restaurants. From here, buses go to Norrtälje, note that this is the nearest bus stop from the end of this stage. There are no public transport to Sandviken where this stage ends.

Just outside Älmsta you will find Vikingalunden, a sports field and public park with summer events. Here you can fill up on drinking water or take a break at the barbecue area with the rest house next door. There are also changing rooms with a sauna that are open if there is activity at the sports field.

The tour continues in Storängen nature reserve, an older agricultural landscape with hay meadows and 200-year-old oaks surrounded by hazel and birch.

Feel free to make a detour from the trail to Väddö Gårdsmejeri for locally produced and organic cheeses, hamburgers and ice cream. In addition to the farm shop and summer café, there is the opportunity to join a cow safari in the pasture.

The stage ends with a hike along the old Sandviksvägen east to Sandviken with a long view of the sea and a shallow sandy beach. Here there is a rest area with a fireplace and the opportunity to spend the night at Väddö havsbads camping in a cabin or tent. You can also rent a sauna here.

Activities And Facilities

Accessibility

Rest areas

Vikingalunden Fireplace, benches, rest cabin, toilet.

Sandviken Fireplace, benches, toilet.

Drinking water

Vikingalunden IP Outdoor water tap. Available in summer.

Sandviken bathing area Indoor water tap available in summer when activities are open, ask for permission to take water.

Toilet

Bagghusbron Dry toilet available in summer approximately week 19-45

Vikingalunden IP Toilet available all year round.

Sandviken bathing area Toilet available in summer.

Bath

Vikingalunden IP Sports area with changing rooms, showers and sauna. Open when activities are in progress, mostly evenings and weekends.

Älmsta guest harbour Shower and sauna for a fee.

Sandviken Bathing area with sandy beach, changing rooms, toilet, fireplace.

Service

Älmsta Community with grocery store, restaurants, pharmacy, health center and accommodation.

Gravel roads, paths, paved walking and cycling paths.

Flat terrain.

Vikingalunden IP Max 24 hours on weekdays, no time limit on weekends.

Storängens Nature Reserve Max 72 hours.

Sandvikens Badplats Max 24 hours on weekdays, no time limit on weekends.

Public transport SL-Storstockholms lokaltrafik

Nearest bus station at stage start: Bagghus vägskäl

Nearest bus station at stage end: Älmsta busstation, about 4.5 kilometers from the end of the stage.

The trail is marked by a band of orange painted on the trees. Occasionally signposts also guide the way and give distances. You´ll find an information board at the start and end of every section.

As a hiker, you have a responsibility to be considerate and helpful to others who share the trail with you and to find out about local regulations that apply where you want to hike.

When you are in the countryside along the Roslagsleden trail, the Right of Public Access applies, which means both obligations and rights for you as a hiker.

Take your trash home with you.

Preferably use the designated toilets and restrooms along the trail. If you need to relieve yourself in nature, move away from the trail and rest areas and choose a spot far from watercourses. Dig a hole, relieve yourself, cover the hole. Bring toilet paper and wipes home in a plastic bag.

Remember to only light fires in official fireplaces. Do not start a fire if there is a fire ban. Here you can find out if there is a fire ban or in the app Brandrisk ute.

Respect that you are walking on someone else's land and that there may be rational agriculture and forestry along the trail.

Along the coast and in some lakes and rivers along the Roslagsleden trail, fishing is permitted if you have a fishing license. You can buy a fishing license online.

The Roslagsleden trail passes several nature reserves with protected nature where special rules apply. You can read more at Naturvårdsverket (The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) and Länsstyrelsen (County Administrative Board).

On the tenth stage of Roslagsleden, you are hiking through Storängen nature reserve and nearby Rönnskärs udde nature reserve with special regulations.