Lidingö between nature, culture and water
Accommodation in Lidingö Municipality
On Lidingö, the Långängen–Elfvik nature reserve stretches from Mölna in southern Lidingö to Södergarn and Elfviks udde in the north. It comprises forests, lakes, coastal areas, grassland and agricultural land. The same nature reserve also has popular bathing spots, barbecue areas, wind shelters and exercise trails.
Nature and landscape
The Sticklinge nature reserve combines forests, coastal areas and grassland with paths through forests rich in berries and mushrooms. In the Kappsta nature reserve, you will find an easy walking path, a picnic area and sunny rocks with beautiful sea views.
Kottlasjön is a glacial lake covering approximately 24 hectares, with a maximum depth of just over seven metres. Beavers, amphibians, various bird species, insects and bats live at Kottlasjön. The different landscapes therefore range from agricultural areas and forests to bodies of water and coastal areas.
Paths and exercise
Lidingö has more than 150 kilometres of exercise trails and paths that can be used on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Elfviksleden is a nine-kilometre-long trail from Lidingö Centrum to Elfviks udde. It passes through urban areas, parks, agricultural land, forest landscapes and archipelago landscapes.
Hälsans stig is a six-kilometre-long, paved circular route near the centre of Lidingö. The route has no steep inclines or stairs and is suitable for wheelchairs and walking frames. Lidingö also has a 5.5-kilometre-long mountain bike trail in the Stockby/Långängen area and an 8.5-kilometre-long, varied mountain bike trail on Elfvikslandet.
The cultural walks on Lidingö take just under two hours at a normal pace and combine exercise with knowledge about the local surroundings. The Dalängen–Grönsta cultural walk includes a runestone, a burial ground, Sweden’s first allotment cottage settlement, a monument to Lidingöloppet and an aircraft hangar.
Lidingöloppet has been held every year on the last weekend of September on Lidingö since 1965. The main race is 30,250 metres long, starts at Koltorps gärde and ends at Grönsta gärde.
Culture and history
Lidingö Church was built in 1623 and is now the oldest surviving building on Lidingö. The Lidingö Museum regularly organises lectures, themed exhibitions and guided tours about the development of the island. One of the museum’s permanent exhibitions shows the development of Lidingö from 8000 BC to the present day.
The Torsvik–Mosstorp cultural walk passes through Islinge villastad, past Foresta and Millesgården, and through Herseruds villastad. The Mölna–Gångsätra cultural walk passes through Mölna, the earliest documented settlement on Lidingö, known for its extensive milling operations. This route also includes Skärsätra gård, where fruit wine was produced at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as a monument on the foundations of the summer house belonging to Raoul Wallenberg’s grandparents.
The Larsberg–Baggeby cultural walk passes through Ekbacken, offers views of the entrance to Stockholm and includes the monument to the victims of the Estonia disaster, as well as several sculptures along the route. The Bo–Garbo cultural walk leads to Bo gård, introduces the Lidingö architect Cyrillus Johansson and offers views of Rutsdal and of Mauritz Stiller’s villa at Grönstaviken.
The Bo–Askrike rune stone was discovered in 1984, probably dates from the 11th century and is Lidingö’s second known runic inscription to date. The Bo–Askrike burial ground comprises around fifty graves and a runic inscription on a rock slab.
Millesgården combines a large sculpture park, the artists Carl and Olga Milles’s home and a museum with changing exhibitions. Visitors can stroll through the terraces at Millesgården, which are adorned with sculptures and fountains by Carl Milles, and enjoy views of Stockholm Bay.
Water and getting there
Fågelöuddebadet has a long sandy beach, a diving tower, swings, a climbing frame, a barbecue area, a cafeteria and toilets. From Ropsten, the bathing area can be reached by bus 204 to the Fågelöuddevägen stop, followed by a 10- to 15-minute walk. At certain times, bus 211 runs directly to the bathing area’s car park.
At Hustegaholm, private individuals, schools and associations can rent canoes and kayaks. Lidingö Surfcenter gives residents and the general public the opportunity to try windsurfing. The bathing spots at Långängen–Elfvik, the sandy beach at Fågelöuddebadet and the activities on the water each offer a different focus.
From central Stockholm, Lidingö can be reached by taking the red underground line to Ropsten and then the Lidingöbanan. Alternatively, a commuter ferry departs from Nybrokajen.
Farms and food
Långängens gård was built towards the end of the 18th century; the land around the farm belongs to the Långängen-Elfvik nature reserve. In a historic setting, you can have lunch at Långängens gård.
At Elfvik, you can visit a lively farm. The Elfvik farm has sheep, horses and small animals that graze in summer on the land along Elfviksvägen. There are walking paths around the Elfvik farm and along the water.
The bistro at Elfviks gård serves homemade soups, salads, open sandwiches and home-baked fika pastries. The farm shop at Elfviks gård sells cream cheese, salad cheese, cheesecake and, occasionally, the farm’s own lamb sausage.
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