Långhundraleden - paddelled

The historic waterway

The Långhundraleden was once the Vikings' old waterway between Uppsala and the Baltic Sea. Långhundraleden is still a waterway today, although it is now mostly suitable for canoeing. The canoe trail is particularly suitable for youth groups as it is easy to paddle and has good swimming opportunities.

Långhundraleden today stretches from Helgösjön in Vallentuna municipality via Husaån to Brottby and further along Garnsviken's long narrow lake to Åkers kanal in Österåker municipality.

Långhundraleden was an important transportation route from the sea all the way up to Uppsala before land uplift put an end to this.

Brotorp is now the northernmost point where the water depth is usually sufficient for paddling all year round. At Brotorp, the watercourse is called Helgöån and on it you paddle downstream with Vadadalen's beach meadows on both sides. Just north of Vada church, on the west side of the river, you pass three large burial mounds in a row that are usually called Sjökullarna and are considered to be Viking graves for local kings. Before the river flows into Garnsviken, you pass Össeby-Garn, which on both sides of the river offers an interesting stop.

After a little more than a kilometer of paddling in Garnsviken, you arrive at Flattsta and a prepared rest area on the west bank. There is a shelter, toilet, fireplace and space to pitch a tent.

Another three kilometers south you arrive at Garnsviksbadet in Österåker municipality. The bath is good to keep an eye out for so that you do not miss the inlet to Åkers Canal, which is the water that leads down to the outlet in the Trälhavet via Åkersberga locks. At Garnsviksbadet there is a toilet, barbecue area and the possibility of loading and unloading canoes.

**Åkersbro an old hub

A bit after Garnsviksbadet, where the trail starts to widen again, you come to what used to be called Lilla Garnsviken. Today it is called Prästfjärden. When the canal narrows again, you come to an arched wooden bridge. The area is called Åkersbro and this is also where the Åkers Canal begins.

In the past, Åkersbro was an important junction where Långhundraleden crossed the highway. There was a swing bridge here that could let larger boats pass, while today there is a fixed wooden bridge.

At Åkersbro you can visit Slussvaktarbostaden, where Friluftsfrämjandet Österåker currently has its association room, there is also an accessible landing place for canoes. There is also Café Åkersbro, which also has bed & breakfast, canoe rental, flea market and premises for meetings and work.