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Green areas for walks and jogging in Stockholm

Last Updated (Thursday, 17 July 2008 18:40)

During the IAMCR congress in Stockholm, maybe you want to take a walk, or find a place where you can exercise and run? A wonderful alternative, if you just want to visit a beautiful green spot, is the famous Bergius Botanic Garden, located at Frescati, less than ten minutes walk from the Congress centre, Aula Magna. Here you will find conservatories with plants from many parts of the world.

If you want to take a long walk, or run, the alternatives are many. You will find several tracks in the wonderful green areas around the University Campus where the Congress is located. Unfortunately the student’s sports hall, with shower facilities, is closed during the summer weeks.

For those who stay at a hotel in the City it is hard to find a good place to run just around the corner. However, in some minutes you can reach roads and tracks near the canals, lake Mälaren or the Baltic Sea, leading to park areas.

Djurgården

From hotels in the City and the districts of Norrmalm and Östermalm, the best alternative is the island Djurgården in the eastern part of Stockholm. One option to get there is to walk or run along Strandvägen (choose the quay by the sea), starting at Nybroplan near the Royal Dramatic Theatre. After 1 km you will reach a short bridge (Djurgårdsbron) leading to the island. If you are staying at a hotel near Karlavägen you can choose the walking area between the trees on this impressive street, and run down to Oxenstiernsgatan, then turn right and follow the road down to Strandvägen and Djurgårdsbron.

At Djurgården the best alternative is to turn left just after the bridge and follow the track along the bay Djurgårsbrunnsviken. After 2,5 km you will reach a little bridge leading over the canal and if you continue 1 km you will reach another small bridge. In this area it is possible to run on both sides of the canal. If you prefer a more hilly terrain, you can follow one of the roads leading up to the top of the hill (one option is Rosendalsvägen). Here you will find a large park area with paths leading in different directions.

Söder

If you are staying in the central parts of Stockholm, Gamla Stan or Södermalm (shortened to Söder), you may find several alternatives. The best option is to find your way to Eriksdalsbadet, an outdoor swimming pool, and 300 m from Skanstull tube station, down by the canal. Here you can follow a road/track along Årstaviken (a part of the large lake Mälaren) leading westward. For the walkers there are several informal cafés along the route. After 2,5 km you will reach a park area (Tantolunden). Here you can choose between several alternatives.

If you want to walk or run all the way back to the City, you may continue straight ahead; follow the road near the lake until you reach the west end of the Söder and continue (turning eastward) through Pålsundsparken to Söder Mälarstrand - after 2,5 km you will reach the tube and bus station Slussen (7 km from your starting point). The distance from Slussen to Gamla Stan is around 500 m and to the City (along Skeppsbrokajen) the distance is around 1,5 km.

On this route (just before you reach Söder Mälarstrand) you will find the islets, Reimersholme and Långholmen (the last islet once hosted the main prison in Stockholm, now these buildings are turned into a hotel). You can run/walk around both islets; the distance is 1,5 km around Reimersholme, 3 km around the hilly Långholmen (choose the track/paths near the lake). At the northern part of Långholmen you will even find two popular small beaches (a wonderful place to take a swim in lake Mälaren).

Another option (from the park area Tantolunden) is to run/walk up to the large bridge ahead of you (Liljeholmsbron). On the other (south-western) side of this bridge you will find stairs leading down to a peaceful quay area. Follow the road leading south- and eastwards. After 1,2 km you will pass under a large railway bridge, and from there you will find a wide woodland path leading up and downhill along the bay. Keep to the path nearest the lake, continue until you meet the asphalt road leading up to a bridge, turn left, after around 100 meter you will (if you turn left) find the road leading down and back to your starting point, Eriksdalsbadet. If you choose this alternative, around the bay, the total distance is 8 km.

Eriksdalsbadet is open for the public. To use the outdoor swimming pool you have to pay 60 SEK (6,2 €). If you want to use a locker room you have to take with you a padlock (or buy one at the ticket office for SEK 30).

Have a nice exercise!