Yxlan: Coast, Hiking and History

Yxlan lies between Furusund on the mainland and the island of Blidö in the northern Stockholm archipelago.

Other places in the same regional context include: Sundbyberg, Sollentuna, Södertälje, Ekerö, Huddinge, Värmdö, Täby and Upplands Väsby.

Geographical setting

Köpmanholm is the archipelago settlement and main locality at the northern tip of Yxlan. The Furusundsleden connects Furusund and Yxlan by a free car ferry; the ferry route is 600 metres long and the crossing takes four minutes. On the Blidöleden, a free car ferry connects Yxlan and Blidö. This ferry route is 530 metres long, and the crossing also takes four minutes.

Nature

Yxlan is predominantly covered by spruce and pine forest. The landscape includes rocky coasts, woodland, meadows and quiet bays. The islands of Långu, Fårgångsö, Aspö and Löpar-Asken lie in the vicinity of Yxlan. Siarö Fort is a fortress in the area around Yxlan.

Österviken is a designated swimming spot on the eastern side of the northern tip of Yxlan. The site has approximately 60 metres of shoreline, a sandy beach and a lawn facing east. There are also benches with tables, a fire pit and a car park.

Hiking

The Yxlan section of the Stockholm Archipelago Trail offers a 24-kilometre hike near the sea. The section combines varied terrain with summer-house settlements and historic villages.

The Yxlan Trail reaches a lighthouse at the southernmost point of the island’s west coast. The trail is not marked locally; therefore, you should use the local printed tourist map or the interactive map. For the outward and return journey to the lighthouse, you must follow the route on one of these maps, as you cannot walk through the residential area. The hike on Yxlan is best started at the ferry terminal in Köpmanholm.

The Stockholm Archipelago Trail on Yxlan passes Lake Träsket, a sightseeing spot. Stortallen is an old pine tree and a separate sightseeing spot on the Yxlan Trail.

History and Culture

The name Yxlan is derived from the village of Yxlö in the middle of the island; records already mention a local population there in the 12th century.

Trojeborg, an old stone labyrinth on Yxlan, is located in Köpmanholm. Trojeborg was probably built by fishermen who believed that walking through the labyrinth would bring good luck when fishing.

Konstrundan on Yxlan takes place every year in August. Around fifteen artists open their homes and studios to visitors. In the wider region around Yxlan are Ljusterö kyrka, Rådmansö kyrka and Frötuna kyrka; all three are churches.

When choosing a hotel on Yxlan, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be used when planning a stay in the island area around Köpmanholm. Hiking provides a thematic point of reference, while the information on dates, room type and conditions clearly structures the accommodation decision into specific comparison points for your own stay on Yxlan.

For the overarching travel overview: Stockholm.