Sweden has announced the October 2024 opening of the Stockholm Archipelago Trail (SAT).
This new hiking trail will allow nature and outdoor enthusiasts to island-hop and explore this beautiful stretch of islands located in the Baltic Sea, about 60-80 km (37-50 miles) east of Stockholm.
This archipelago, the largest in Sweden, comprises an estimated 30,000 islands spanning over 650 square miles. Many are easily accessible by boat or ferry, although getting there can become more difficult during icy winters.
About the Stockholm Archipelago Trail
With all its open land, Sweden is known for its hiking and trekking.
This 270 km (almost 168 miles) Stockholm Archipelago Trail has twenty sections that allow hikers to island-hop and visit 21 islands. According to the SAT website, the route has a long and fascinating history.
“The islands in the Stockholm Archipelago are riddled with paths and trails, some lead somewhere, and some lead nowhere. The sections are created by tying together existing trails, either made by humans or animals. Some are used today, some were used hundreds of years ago.”
The best time to visit is the period between summer and autumn, called the “magic season” because most summer visitors have returned to work and school. Another perk: The water in the archipelago stays warm for 14 days longer than on the mainland.
During summer, a north-south boat line allows visitors to stay overnight at each section. To reach the outer archipelago, “Stockholm Archipelago Trail heads” offer west-east transportation.
The SAT website describes the different levels of difficulty of each trail, ranging from easy to moderate to challenging.
Highlights of the Stockholm Archipelago Trail
The outer islands of the archipelago are less populated than the ones closer in.
Visit Sweden, the government’s official marketing arm, noted some of the highlights of the new hiking trail. These include:
Sandhamn
Located in the outermost part of the archipelago, this island offers barren rocks and white beaches. It’s a popular vacation destination whose population of only 108 permanent residents swells to several thousand during the summer.
Utö
With a rich history as a base for sea pilots, customs officials, and soldiers since the 17th century and later a site of iron ore extraction, Utö is one of the largest islands in the southern archipelago but only has 175 residents.
Ålö
Ålö is also in the southern part of the archipelago, west of Utö. A nature preservice since 2008, it is undeveloped and rich in plant and bird life. Only two households inhabit the island.
Nåttarö
Nåttarö is also a nature reserve that attracts visitors with fantastic beaches, like Storsand,, one of the archipelago’s longest sandy beaches with dunes. No permanent residents live on this wild section of the trail.
Sweden has an unusual and very egalitarian law that permits anyone to go ashore or anchor near any of the islands, although not in the direct vicinity of buildings.
**Read more about visiting the Stockholm archipelago: Visit Stockholm
The Sandhamn Murders: A Virtual Visit
Oddly, my interest in the Stockholm Archipelago was inspired by binge-watching a TV series called the Sandhamn Murders (Morden i Sandhamn, in Swedish) during the pandemic.
This excellent Swedish murder mystery series, directed by Mattias Ohlsson and based on a series of ten books by Vivica Sten, takes place on Sandhamn, one of the archipelago’s outer islands. The author has sold over 4 million copies of these books.
Sandhamn plays a starring role in the mysteries. It is depicted as a relaxing place where many people return season after season, and everyone seems to know (almost) everyone else. Life seems to move at a slower pace.
Struck by the series’ beautiful scenery and wonderful cinematography, I immediately added Sandhamn to my bucket list. The town features Nantucket-like clapboard houses painted in pretty colors with red roofs. All the events are set against the sparkling waters of the archipelago lined with sailboats, skiffs, kayaks, and small yachts.
Because there are no cars, people get around by bicycle when they aren’t on the water. Everyone on the island seems to dress in Laura Ashley pales and prints that match the pastel surroundings. The island has an inn, hotels, restaurants, bars, and a grocery store and is home to the 194-year-old Royal Swedish Yacht Club.
The storyline of Sandhamn Murders revolves around Nora Linde, a lawyer and divorced mom who owns a summer home in Sandhamn. She gets involved with the local police and helps them solve crimes on one or more of the islands. Alexandra Rapaport, a Stockholm native, plays the lead role.
In the beginning seasons, Nora assists her old friend Inspector Thomas Andreasson, played by Jakob Cedergren, and his investigative partner Mia, played by Sandra Andreis. After that, a new inspector comes on board.
Where and how to watch The Sandhamn Murders
According to IMDb, the show, which first aired in Sweden in 2018, will air its tenth season on August 6, 2024. The first nine seasons are available on MHzChoice.
Each well-acted, engaging episode is about 45 minutes long. Seasons 1-5 have three episodes related to the same investigation; seasons 6 and 7 have eight episodes (covering four investigations); season 8 has three double episodes; and season 9 has six single episodes. Tales of Nora’s romances run throughout the series.
The show is in Swedish with English subtitles.
The Sandhamn Murders Trailer for Season 1
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