Borensberg- Motala, Birgittaleden, St. Birgitta Ways

The trail
largely follows gravel and asphalt roads but also includes nature paths,
partially through sheep pastures. You will pass places where Saint Bridget
lived with her family. Ekebyborna Church is the church that Bridget, her
husband Ulf, and their eight children regularly visited. At Birgitta's Point,
there are traces of a medieval castle and a ruin of a stone house where Saint
Bridget and her family sometimes stayed. The point offers a peaceful
environment, perfect for a break by Lake Boren's shore. Here, you can sit and
enjoy nature and perhaps feel Bridget's presence.

During the
tour, you will experience the fertile farmland of the Östgöta plain, noble
deciduous forests, and marshlands, continuing on boardwalks through a
flower-rich calcareous fen in the Sjöbo-Knäppan Nature Reserve. At Ekebyborna's
old vicarage, Ulvåsa Castle, and Sjöbo, you reach Lake Boren's shore, where you
can take a break with a view of the lake. At Sjöbo, there is a bathing area,
grill, and toilet. The trail continues over the Motala stream via the
"Slag Bridge" and passes the Göta Canal at Borenshult, which has the
steepest lock staircase on the canal. The stage ends in Motala, where you can
have coffee, eat, and stay overnight. GRAZING ANIMALS MAY BE PRESENT.

ALTERNATIVE
ROUTES:

You can
choose to make a detour of about 2 km to Ekebyborna Church and reach the Old
Vicarage by Lake Boren's shore.

You can
choose the 9 km longer route past Ulvåsa Castle and Birgitta's Point.

More
information can be found on Östgötaleden's website.

(aug 2024)