Frågor och svar - FAQ

How long is

the Östgötaleden?

**The Östgötaleden is one of Sweden’s longest lowland trails and stretches over 150 mil. The trail is divided into approximately 140 stages of varying difficulty, making it accessible no matter what kind of hiker you are.

How do I find the starting point of a trail?

On each stage, there are one or more places where you can begin your hike. Study the map carefully before setting out.

How do I know I’m following the right trail?

The Östgötaleden is marked in orange on signposts, poles, arrows, and tree trunks, as well as with the Östgötaleden pictogram. The basic principle is that you should be able to see the next trail marker.

What stages are there along the Östgötaleden?

There are stages for all types of hikers and through various types of natural landscapes and experiences. On the map, you can choose from different categories and thus find a trail that’s just right for you. ostgotaleden.se also offers various suggested itineraries. You’ll also find tips on accommodations and other information for hikers.

Can you bike along

the Östgötaleden?

Under the right of public access, you may bike on hiking trails as long as there aren’t too many of you or you’re not organizing a group tour. Read more about the right of public access at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Special rules may apply to biking in nature reserves. To find out which rules apply in the reserves, visit the Östergötland County Administrative Board. Keep in mind that this is primarily a hiking trail, so please be considerate of hikers.

Is the Östgötaleden accessible?

There are sections along the Östgötaleden that are adapted in various ways for people with mobility impairments, for example. On the map, you can select the type of accessibility adaptation that applies, such as wheelchair-accessible.

Which parts of the trail

are suitable for walking with a dog?

The best sections are those that do not pass through grazing pastures. During the grazing season, the County Administrative Board advises against taking dogs into the nature reserve’s pastures, as this can cause the grazing animals to become stressed and aggressive. The section descriptions include information on whether grazing animals are present.

Please note that your dog must be kept on a leash from March 1 through August 20.

How far can you hike in an hour?

You can generally expect to hike about four kilometers in an hour when walking a lowland trail like the Östgötaleden.

Which part of the Östgötaleden is the most beautiful?

It depends, of course, on what you want to experience. A section of the Östgötaleden (Ödeshög–Omberg–Vadstena) has been designated the “Signaturled Omberg” by the Swedish Tourist Association. A “Signaturled” is a trail that offers spectacular nature experiences, is characteristic of its region, suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers, is easily accessible by public transportation, and offers overnight accommodations.

I want to hike a challenging section of the Östgötaleden—which one should I

choose?

The stages are graded according to a difficulty scale. If you want to hike a challenging section, look for the red rating. The section from Lilla Älgsjön to Säter (Kvarsebo) and the loop around Ågelsjön in the Kolmård forests are two such examples.

How do I know how difficult or easy a section is?

Work is currently underway to grade the stages according to criteria developed in the National Framework for Hiking Trails. Right now, the trails in Söderköping, Ydre, and Åtvidaberg have been graded. Simply put, the trails are divided into three colors: green—easy, blue—moderate, red—challenging. Here is a more detailed description of what each color represents.

Where can I stay overnight along the Östgötaleden?

You can search for “Accommodation” on the map to see where there are excellent places for different types of overnight stays along the trail.

Are there places where I can buy food or eat along

the trail?

You can search for “Café/Restaurant” on the map to see where there are great places along the trail.

What do I need to stay in a wind shelter?

You’ll need to prepare for this kind of hike. Read our tips on how to prepare.

Are there restrooms along the Östgötaleden?

Yes, there are restrooms and outhouses, but not on every stage. To find out where they are, you can filter by “Restroom” on the map.

Is there drinking water along the Östgötaleden?

Yes, there is drinking water, but only on a few stages. Filter by “Drinking Water” on the map to see where it’s available. We recommend bringing your own equipment to filter or boil water from lakes and streams.

In Östergötland, many lakes have high-quality water, but bacteria and other organisms may be present. Viruses that affect humans are rare in lakes and waterways in Sweden. They occur almost exclusively around inadequately treated wastewater or in areas where many people swim.

There are several methods for purifying water:

• Water filters are the most convenient. They remove bacteria and organisms, but not viruses.
• Boiling kills bacteria, organisms, and viruses.
• Chemical purification tablets inactivate bacteria, organisms, and viruses—but require some time to take effect.

Choose running water over standing water and avoid water near grazing animals or cabins. Water filters and purification tablets can be purchased at outdoor gear stores.

Are there trash cans along the Östgötaleden?

Yes, in some places. Filter by “Trash Cans” on the map.

I want to hike a loop on the Östgötaleden and go swimming—

which section should I choose?

On the map, you can filter by “Loop” and “Swimming Spot” to get suggestions for sections.

Does the Östgötaleden trail pass through nature reserves?

Yes, it passes through nearly 80 different nature reserves in Östergötland. Here you can download the Östergötland County Administrative Board’s checklist of all the county’s nature reserves.

What does “lowland trail” mean?

A trail that does not pass through mountainous terrain or higher elevations.