After coming back from Canada and straight into work this summer, Graham and I were both longing for some summer hiking. Happily the weather was still nice and there were lots of local opportunities for short weekend hikes. Since we had not yet seen the new ‘Archipelago trail‘, we wanted to try it.
The trail is spread over many islands connected by ferries, bridges, and small rowboats. Like Sörmlandsleden it is possible to join at many different spots and then string together stages of different lengths. For a wekeend hiking and camping trip, we decided to start on Utö and hike around and over to Ålö, then take the ferry home.
The ferry to Utö is advertised at the bus stop so visitors can easily find their way. 
Looking out at the Archipelago from Årsta brygga. 
Lots of walk-on weekend traffic getting on the ferry on a Saturday morning – complete with dogs, picnic baskets, groceries, lawnchairs…. 
Old military installation on one of the rocks. 
Bike parking on the island at the rental place by the ferry.th a cabin to get out to their place quickly. 
Lots of fun views on the ferry trip.
We were lucky to have mild and clear weather while we were hiking, although a bit blustery when we were setting up out tent and making dinner. This might have been because we camped up at one of the highest points on the island – next time we would probably stay at one of the lower waterside spots on the southeast side.
Refecetive tricolour trail markings, though far easier to lose sight of than Sörmlandsleden 
Lots of nice little bays with small gravel beaches 
Views out to mini-islands 
Late summer sun 
Boardwalks over the wet patches 
Vintage tanks are displayed by the military base. “Climb at your own risk.” 
Outdoor gym 
Rad nature kettlebell 
Really nice outdoor infrastrucutre throughout, including this awesome seafront picnic spot 
…complete with grilling spot and counter-height table 
…and dining area with a view of the sea 
Pretty high-end outhouses along the way 
There was a collection of wind shelters near one of the towns 
An old church with a nicely tended churchyard
It is a lovely spot and definitely worth the trip – it is a pretty quick voyage there and back so it makes a good weekend trip from Stockholm and very accessible by transit. There were plenty of camping and grilling spots available, but we did see many other people on the trails and I guess it gets pretty full during the peak summer season.
The coastal hiking routes are non-stop awesome views 
Blooming heather 
Some nice waterfront grilling spots 
Reflective Baltic waters 
Some old country houses 
Not too much elevation on the islands, but enough to get some panorama views! 
…endless little bays and coves… 
…in all directions 
Getting vehicles to the islands is tricky, so once they are there they stay forever 
scrabbly forest growing on the stony islets 
Cute cottages on the tiny islands 
Several nice picnic spots – this one was by the bird sanctuary 
There is a small working dairy on Ålö 
…complete with an ‘honour system’ ice cream freezer