Signature trail Omberg

Hike through a magnificent landscape where dramatic cliffs meet the vast views of Vättern. From Ödeshög, you make your way through Omberg’s forests, past ancient oaks and open hay meadows, continuing across the Östgötaslätten plains to Vadstena with its monastery church and pilgrimage centre.

This trail is one of STF’s signature trails – an especially scenic, quality-assured multi-day hike.

The route follows Östgötaleden and the pilgrimage trail St. Birgitta Ways through an area rich in both nature and history. Here, you walk in the footsteps of pilgrims, where the journey is not only about moving forward but also about stillness, reflection, and an inner journey. St. Birgitta Ways is named after Saint Birgitta, one of Sweden’s most well-known figures and a patron saint of Europe, who in the 14th century stood up for peace and simplicity.

Discover Östgötaleden by Vättern

In the area around Omberg, both Östgötaleden and the pilgrimage trail St. Birgitta Ways run through a varied landscape of forests and cultural heritage. You hike along the same paths as pilgrims have done for centuries. If you wish, you can make a short detour to Alvastra klosterruin, where Saint Birgitta’s husband Ulf Gudmarsson is buried. After his death in 1344, Birgitta spent some time near the monastery.

Here you’ll find natural highlights such as the Ecopark with its beech forests, oak landscapes, and hay meadows. In spring and summer, you are greeted by a spectacular display of flowers, from sweeping fields of blue and wood anemones to meadows filled with orchids. Enjoy several breathtaking viewpoints, including Hjässan – Omberg’s highest point – and Västra väggar with sweeping views across Vättern. On Omberg, you can choose from several alternative hiking trails. Take the opportunity to explore one of the many well-marked loops, read the signs, and discover something new. The signature trail follows Östgötaleden’s orange markings and symbol, as well as the symbol of the pilgrimage trail.

See and do along the trail

• Along the trail, you’ll find several swimming spots, so remember to bring your swimwear.
• During summer, guided tours of Ellen Key’s home Strand are offered on selected days of the week, beautifully located by Vättern and Ombergs Ekopark.
• On Omberg, you can enjoy stunning views from Hjässan, the highest point of the mountain.
• Near Stocklycke, there is a zipline and other fun activities for the whole family.
• In Vadstena, Klosterkyrkan, Pilgrimscentrum, and Klostermuseet await.
• For more sights and activities in the area, you can visit the municipalities’ tourist information: Visit Ödeshög (opens in new tab) and InfoCenter Vadstena (opens in new tab).

Getting to the trail

Train to Mjölby, then bus to Ödeshög with Östgötatrafiken. Along the route, there are on-demand transport stops at Stocklycke vandrarhem, Borghamn Strand, and Ombergs Turisthotell, where you can book a transfer. After completing your hike, there are several options with bus and train from Vadstena Station, with connecting trains in Skänninge or Motala.

Read more tips on how to easily reach the signature trail using public transport and nearby accommodations on ostgotaleden.se (opens in new tab).

Trail markings

Follow Östgötaleden’s orange markings on trees, posts, and stones. Along the route, you will also see the markings of St. Birgitta Ways.

Stages – Signature trail Omberg

Tip! Stay at STF Ödeshög Hembygsgård & Vandrarhem the night before you start your hike.

Stage 1: Ödeshög–Omberg/Stocklycke

16 kilometres, 3–5 hours of hiking
Accommodation: Stocklycke vandrarhem (opens in new tab), Ombergs Turisthotell (opens in new tab)

This stage follows Östgötaleden along Vättern and is one of the most beautiful stretches in Östergötland. Follow the markings down towards Orrnäs and continue along the shoreline, hiking close to the water with Vättern as your constant companion. At Orrnäsån, there is a cultural trail showing how water power was historically used in several stages.

The trail passes through open grazing land with animals and along slopes facing Vättern. At Orrnäs rest area, there benches, and firewood if you want to make a fire. At Öninge hamn, you can swim from cliffs or in a sheltered bay – there is also a barbecue area, toilet, and parking. If you want to avoid grazing animals, choose the eastern side of the Orrnäs loop from Ödeshög.

You pass Stora Lund nature reserve with barbecue areas and swimming opportunities. The stage is mostly easy, but within the reserve, the trail crosses rock slabs that are more demanding and can be slippery in wet conditions. Food and drinks are available in Ödeshög and at the golf club in Hästholmen, about halfway along the route.

At the foot of Omberg, there are traces of two significant women in Swedish history. Don’t miss Ellen Key’s home Strand with its garden, or take a short detour to Alvastra klosterruin, where Saint Birgitta lived for a time.

The hike continues through Bokskogens nature reserve, home to Östergötland’s largest beech forest. Some sections pass close to steep drops, requiring caution. At Stocklycke hamn, there is a shelter, barbecue area, toilet, and swimming opportunities. Stocklycke vandrarhem is located right next to the trail.

Stage 2: Stocklycke–Borghamn Strand

10.4 kilometres, 2–3 hours of hiking
Accommodation: Borghamn Strand (opens in new tab)

If you start your hike at Stocklycke – don’t miss a detour up to Hjässan, the highest point on Omberg. Here you can enjoy far-reaching views over Vättern and the beautiful Östgötaslätten plains. The hike north then partly follows the steep shoreline of Vättern through Omberg Ecopark. Traces of the Ice Age shape the landscape, and parts of the stage are hilly and rocky. In the most demanding sections, there is an option to follow a one-way road as an alternative.

At several points, you can make detours through ravines down to the shore of Vättern. At Älvarums udde, there is a shelter, barbecue area, and toilet. Here you can also take a refreshing swim in Vättern.

The trail then continues through beech forests and impressive ancient oaks to Västra Väggar, where the view over Vättern is magnificent. There is a rest area here. Drottning Ommas fornborg marks the end of the stage just before the final destination at Borghamn Strand. Remember to bring water and food for the journey.

Stage 3: Borghamn Strand – Nässja

15,5 kilometres, 3–4 hours of hiking
Accommodation: Simple pilgrim accommodation at Nässja fattighus (opens in new tab)

This stage takes you on a true pilgrimage towards Vadstena, a journey across the Östgötaslätten plains where scenic gravel roads wind through the landscape with constant views of Vättern.

From Borghamn, you hike north along quiet country roads and open fields. Here, you are met with wide views across the plains and Vättern’s blue horizon. Just east of Borghamn lies Bårstad friluftsbad if you want to take a refreshing swim.

Explore sights such as the stone museum in Örberga, historic quarries, and Iron Age remains that reflect a thousand years of history. In Örberga, a church from the 12th century awaits, connected to Saint Birgitta – you are truly walking in her footsteps.

If you want to shorten your hike or experience more of Omberg, you can follow Östgötaleden on the eastern side of Omberg and hike south towards Alvastra, ending your journey there with public transport.

Stage 4: Nässja – Vadstena

9,1 kilometres, 2–3 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Vadstena Hostel

The final stage continues across the Östgötaslätten plains on a narrow, low-traffic asphalt road winding between grain fields and open farmland. Just after Nässja, you will find an impressive ancient monument – a circle of large stones in grazing land known as Nässja Domarring. Along the final stretch, Vadstena comes into view as you approach your destination. Along the way, signs with quotes from Saint Birgitta invite reflection on life in the present moment.

In Vadstena, accommodations, restaurants, cafés, and grocery stores await. At Pilgrimscentrum, you can rest after your hike in a welcoming environment where pilgrims from all over the world meet. There is a café, shop, and library, as well as the opportunity to join daily prayers in Klosterkyrkan. Every summer evening, a service is held to welcome pilgrims. Also visit Sancta Birgitta Klostermuseum to learn more about Saint Birgitta’s life and legacy.

Read more about individual stages along the Östgöta trail (opens in new tab).

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