Visingsöslingan – Green Northern Loop 7.2 km

Experience the longest of three delightful circular trails starting near the harbour on Visingsö. You will walk through Sweden's largest contiguous oak forest, planted in 1831 for the Swedish navy's shipbuilding.

Experience the historic island of Visingsö on foot, where you can choose between three scenic loops. All three run through the beautiful oak forest that was once planted for shipbuilding, which never came to fruition. By the time the oaks were fully grown, society had transitioned to constructing ships with armour plating.

About the hiking trail

The trail begins and ends above Visingsö harbour, right next to the starting point of the horse-drawn carriages. The green northern loop is the longest of the three loops and runs centrally in an area a bit inland from the harbour. The trail is 7.2 kilometers long and partly runs on flat forest paths, partly on gravel roads, and a short stretch along the road.

The loops are easy to walk as the landscape is relatively flat. The Swedish National Property Board owns and manages the forest and trails.

Be on the lookout for majestic trees

Along the way, you pass Visingsö oak forest, which includes both the Great Silver Fir (stora silvergranen), requiring three adult arm spans to reach around, and the stately Royal Oak (Kungseken), a magnificent specimen in the oak forest planted as early as 1839. Keep an eye out for these as you walk under the tall trees that are part of our cultural heritage.

A walk with culture and history

This circular trail takes you to the middle of the island and past the Russian Cemetery, where around two thousand prisoners of war were held on Visingsö between 1715-1718. Many of them were Russians, and some were buried in the cemetery. In summer, you can see many butterflies at the cemetery, which like the open glade, and there are also picnic tables to rest at.

Further along the hike, you pass a glade with remnants of S:t Laurentii Chapel, dedicated to the saint S:t Laurentinus, a saint referred to as the protector of humour who died a martyr's death. Near the ruins, there is also a large burial mound of unknown origin.

Continuing through the forest, back down towards the edge of lake Vättern, you come to the island's carp ponds, built in the 17th century. They belonged to Visingsborg Castle, where the fish was part of the diet at the Brahe family's court.

You then continue along a cozy path on the eastern edge of lake Vättern before reaching Visingsborg Castle, a grand centrepiece in the Brahe county. Once you arrive at Visingsborg Castle, you are back at the harbour again and the end of the circular trail.

Food and refreshments along the way

There are two restaurant options along the route – Pensionatet Panget, which offers refreshments and food, or Talay Thai for a delightful Thai contrast to the Småland oak forest.

In addition to this, there are picnic tables along the paths. Proper rest areas with facilities are lacking along the way, but these can be found instead at Visingsö harbour.

How to get here

The trails start above the harbour, on the gravel road behind the horse-drawn carriages and Visingsö Lekland.