The Upplandsleden trail
The 500 kilometer long Upplandsleden begins at Lake Mälaren, arches up to Gävle, and ends at the archipelago of the Dalälven River. The trail consists of 31 sections, divided into three main stretches. There are many great options for starting and ending points.
The Upplandsleden trail
Map of Upplandsleden
This map is a planning tool and should not replace a physical map and compass. The service “Naturkartan” is operated by a company called “Outdoor map”. Please note that trail information is owned and updated by the respective trail administrator (e.g. municipality or county administrative board).
Discover Upplandsleden
Upplandsleden began its establishment 40 years ago. Today it consists of three sections. The eastern section starts in Uppsala, passing through forests, mill towns, and small lakes, ending in Långhäll, south of Gävle. From here, you can connect to Gästrikeleden, which leads to the western section of Upplandsleden, starting in Gysinge and ending in Härjarö. The western section consists of two sub-trails that are not connected to each other. Along the western part, you will hike alongside the beautiful Dalälven River, and as you head further south, the landscape opens up, lined with meadows and pastures. Lastly, there is an independent stretch from Bålsta to Skokloster Castle.
See and do along the trail
During section 9, you’ll pass Kolarmoraån, a popular canoe route. The river starts at Lake Vällen and flows down to Lake Bysjön. Here, you can paddle through wilderness, passing several nature reserves.
Don’t miss
Färnebofjärden National Park, with its river meadows, marshes, islands, and skerries, is a must-see along sections 18–20.
Transport to the trail
Upplandsleden starts in the center of Uppsala, at Studenternas sports ground. Uppsala is easily accessible by both train and bus. From Uppsala Central Station, it’s a 1.5-kilometer walk to the trail’s starting point. Uppsala is the start of section 1, but you can choose many other starting points along the 500 kilometer trail.
Trail markers
The trail is clearly marked with orange paint on trees, posts, and signs.
Upplandsleden Hiking tips
These suggestions include several daily stages. For more detailed information on each stage, visit Upplandsstiftelsen.se.
You can, of course, hike in the opposite direction from the suggested routes.
Upplandsleden offers several sub-trails and connection trails, as well as 14 loop trails connected to the main trail. Below, we describe the main trail.
Sub-trail 1–17: Uppsala–Långhäll
262 kilometers, 1–8 hours of hiking per day
Upplandsleden starts in the center of Uppsala at Studenternas sports ground. Despite being in the city, you’ll soon find yourself hiking on forest trails and through pastures. After the first stage, you leave the city behind and enter the Uppland landscape. On the way to Gimo, located roughly halfway along the trail, you’ll hike on gravel roads, forest paths, and occasionally asphalt. The landscape varies between dense forests and open pastures, with several great swimming spots along the way. Stages 6–10, between Södersjön and Gimo, have been impacted by the storm Alfrida, so check the conditions before starting your hike, as some parts may be impassable.
From Gimo onwards, you’ll hike through industrial heritage areas, mostly on trails or easy forest roads. Marma, between stages 15 and 16, is a good start or endpoint with convenient transport connections. The section from Marma to Älvkarleby, which runs along the Dalälven River, is one of Upplandsleden’s most beautiful. The final stretch to Långhäll is on forest trails.
Sub-trail 18–20 and 21–28: Gysinge–Härjarö
20+110 kilometers, 2–8 hours of hiking per day
In Gysinge, Upplandsleden connects with Gästrikeleden. The western part of Upplandsleden consists of two sub-trails. The northernmost runs from Gysinge to Östa, where you hike near Färnebofjärden National Park. The southern section starts at Siggeforasjön and ends 110 kilometers later at Härjarö. The surroundings still vary greatly between deep forests, agricultural landscapes, and open plains. During stage 24, you’ll experience an urban hike as the trail goes directly through Enköping. The final stage takes you to the waters of Lake Mälaren.
Sub-trail 29–31: Bålsta–Sånka
44 kilometers, 4–6 hours of hiking per day
On this stretch, you’ll hike through two nature reserves, across Lake Mälaren, and out onto the Skohalvön Peninsula. Stage 30 offers a visit to the magnificent baroque Skokloster Castle. Apart from the initial part through Bålsta, you’ll walk on easy trails and gravel roads for the entire section. At the endpoint, Sånka, there is a campsite.
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