Boo between nature reserves, cultural trails and waterscapes

Around Boo, the Booleden hiking trail runs for approximately 15 kilometres from Boo hembygdsgård in Orminge to Strömmen farm at the border with Värmdö, where the Värmdöleden trail begins. The trail passes lakes, viewpoints, prehistoric monuments and cultural-historical sites.

Nature and trails

Along the Booleden, forests, rocky terrain, small forest lakes and meadows alternate. Himlaberg is 70.4 metres high and offers views over the forests and sea from Vaxholm to Tyresö.

Rensättra Nature Reserve can be reached on foot from the bus stops at Boo kyrka and Myrsjöskolan. An Iron Age burial ground indicates that Rensättra was already inhabited in the 9th century. The reserve includes old pine forests on rocky terrain; the trees are over 150 years old and some reach 250 years.

Lila slingan is 2.7 kilometres long and runs through meadows, horse paddocks, bodies of water, allotment gardens, spruce forest and rocky terrain. Swimming is possible on the shore of Lake Sågsjön in Rensättra Nature Reserve. In the western part of the reserve there is also a small climbing crag with fixed protection points in the rock.

Velamsund Nature Reserve is located in eastern Boo and borders Värmdö Municipality. Velamsunds gård lies in a steep rift valley between Insjön and Velamsundsviken. Snigelstigen in Velamsund is an approximately 2-kilometre walking trail with a quiz about the area's nature and culture.

Velamsund Nature Reserve has easily accessible gravel paths suitable for walking or wheelchair use, but they are not designed as circular trails. There is also a lit 2.5-kilometre running track, the green 4-kilometre track and the red 6-kilometre loop. At the lower end of Rudsjön, the birdwatching tower and the accessible viewing platform offer good views across the entire wetland and alder swamp forest.

Culture and history

Baggensstäket Cultural Reserve has been established; boundary markers and information boards are still to be installed. It is intended to preserve and further develop old pine forests on rocky terrain, coniferous forests rich in deciduous trees, deciduous woodland groves and shoreline areas. The reserve is also intended to preserve, further develop and make accessible valuable cultural landscapes and biodiversity.

A cultural-historical walking tour in Boo covers the Russian ravages, Boo gård, the return of the plague and the Battle of Stäket. The cultural walk around Boo gård and Baggensstäket passes interesting buildings, parks, Iron Age burial grounds and remnants related to the history of defence; it is approximately 4.5 kilometres long. At present, it is recommended to avoid the shoreline section at Gammeludden and instead follow the signs to Lugna promenaden.

Baptisms, weddings, services and funerals take place at Boo kyrka. People also gather there for pilgrimages, confirmation and devotions, or for quiet conversations at the graves of their loved ones. The interior of the church is inspired by early Christian Italian architecture and Romanesque basilicas. Its furnishings include a series of stained-glass windows depicting the Passion story, as well as wall and vault paintings by Olle Hjortzberg.

Water and sacred buildings

Boo kapell is located above the outflow from Stäket into Baggensfjärden and belongs to Boo herrgård. The old Boo kapell, dating from the 18th century, can be rented during the summer season for baptisms or weddings and seats 75 visitors. Several musical evenings are held at Boo kapell during the summer.

Today, the Baggensstäket waterway is used more for recreational boating and excursions, having lost its importance as a commercial transport route. Nacka can be reached from Stockholm by boat, car, bus, bicycle or the Saltsjöbanan; the journey takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes.

More destinations

More places at the same destination:

Tyresö, Järfälla, Djurhamn, Yxlan, Huddinge, Norrtälje.

To the overview of the higher-level destination: Stockholm.