Visingsöslingan – Red Central Loop 3.8 km

Experience the shortest of three delightful circular trails starting near the harbour on Visingsö. The trail takes you 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 red central loop is the shortest of the three loops and runs centrally in an area a bit inland from the harbour. The trail is 3.8 kilometers long and partly runs on flat paths, partly on gravel roads, and partly 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.

Look out for majestic trees

Despite the short distance, there is much to see and enjoy here. 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

Another exciting stop along the way is the middle burial ground, with graves predominantly from the Iron Age (500 BC – 1050 AD). This is one of three larger burial grounds on Visingsö with visible graves.

At the end of the walk, you pass the beautiful half-timbered houses of Kungsladugårdarna, built around 1730 as stables for Visingsborgs Kungsgård. In the northern Kungsladan, the local heritage association's collection of old agricultural machinery and tools can be found. If you're lucky, it might be open for viewing.

From Kungsladugårdarna, you are close to Brahekyrkan, built by the Brahe counts in the 17th century. At the harbour, you will find the impressive ruins of Visingsborg Castle (Visingsborgs slottsruin), a grand centrepiece in the Brahe county.

Food and refreshments along the way

Halfway through the loop, you pass Visingsö Pensionat, which offers food and refreshments. At the end of the loop, you pass the beautiful Wisingsborgs Trädgård, which offers the same.

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.