Outdoor adventuresVadstena
Take a day trip and discover some of the hidden gems around Vadstena.
Head up to Medevi Brunn or down to Gränna for some polkagrisar.
Below are some of our recommendations—pick up a picnic basket and turn it into a wonderful outing!
Bird Lake -Fog core
Located by the birds’ lake is Naturum Tåkern, a gateway to the nature and culture of the Tåkern region. “Sweden’s sharpest nature center” is a unique building, designed by Wingårdhs Architects and entirely clad in reeds.
Tåkern offers a rich program of guided tours, birdwatching, theme days, and lectures. The Naturum hosts are welcoming, knowledgeable, and inspiring. Naturum Tåkern is owned by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and operated by the Östergötland County Administrative Board. It is a fantastic facility with an exhibition, a movie theater, and a lab.
Naturum is located in the Tåkern Nature Reserve. The reserve features hiking trails, a birdwatching tower, picnic areas, a fairy-tale trail, and a nature playground. Feel free to enjoy your packed lunch at our rest areas, and thank you for sorting your trash properly afterward.
There is no charge to visit the Naturum’s exhibits and the nature reserve’s facilities. Some guided tours cost a small fee; see the program for details. Inside the Naturum, we sell books, souvenirs, and other items. There is a small, simple coffee corner. You can pay by card or Swish.
Go for a walkEstelle's Fairy Tale Trail
Bring the family to the hotel, enjoy a delicious meal, and have fun playing and hiking in nature. Princess Estelle’s Fairy Tale Trail is about a 25-minute drive from the hotel.
Pick up Starby's popular picnic bag and take it along for a snack or a packed lunch on your adventure.
The Fairy Tale Trail at Tåkern is a christening gift for Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland. Governor Elisabeth Nilsson presented the gift at the princess’s christening in the spring of 2012. The trail was inaugurated on May 17, 2014. The Östergötland County Administrative Board commissioned the construction of the trail. Vesa Jussila and Ulf Lundqvist are responsible for the artistic design.
The story on the fairy-tale trail begins with Ann-Sofie the hare losing track of her friend Hasse in the woods along the shore of Lake Tåkern. Along the way, she encounters fun characters whom she asks for help.
Let the kids help out by asking the fox or crawling into Bosse the Beaver’s cabin to look around! What do you think will happen in the end, when you reach the birdwatching tower? You’ll just have to wait and see!
The trail is about 700 meters long and is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. The kids are welcome to touch and climb on everything they find along the way.
Omberg
Omberg is located in Östergötland on the shores of Lake Vättern and is Sweden’s most biodiverse forest landscape, home to many rare natural habitats. The beautiful beech forest on the slope down toward Lake Vättern, the giant oaks in the pasture landscape, and the colorful hay meadows are just a few of them.
A mile-long steep slope covered in natural forests also plays a major role in shaping the landscape. You can enjoy the fantastic views from Hjässan—Omberg’s highest point—and hike among giant oaks and centuries-old spruce trees, or let yourself be captivated by the beautiful orchids found in Omberg’s many limestone marshes. Set your GPS for Stocklycke, pack a picnic basket, and change into comfortable clothes appropriate for the weather. Below are tips for beautiful hiking trails.
Stocklycke Eco-Park Center
Just a 24-minute drive from Starby Hotel, you’ll find the Omberg Eco-Park Center in Stocklycke. This is a great starting point for your visit to the eco-park. There are nature trails and hiking trails here, and guided nature and cultural walks depart from this location. The site features parking, RV parking, picnic tables, barbecue areas, an information board, and dry toilets.
Orchid Trail, 2 km
Ombergsliden is a paradise for orchids. You’ll find them everywhere—in limestone marshes, pastures, and spruce forests. These legendary beauties adorn the area. There are also rare and fascinating butterflies, mushrooms, and snails here. The main ingredients in the recipe for this almost exotic natural landscape are limestone, spring water, and livestock. The hiking trail in the reserve is an excellent gateway to nature. The trail takes you through various types of terrain, and boardwalks allow you to cross the marshes without getting your feet wet.
Forest Trail 1.8/2.2 km
Along the trail, you can see 45 different species of trees and shrubs. Many of our native tree species thrive on Omberg and can be found here. During the time of the forest school, many exotic tree species were also introduced to Omberg. Today, several of them are gigantic giants. The trail passes the old forestry school, the teacher’s residence, and the caretaker’s residence (now private homes), a mobile nursery, and a cultivation mound. In the middle of the trail, you can take a detour to see Omberg’s—and perhaps Sweden’s—tallest spruce (2016: 49.5 m).
Ellen Keys' 6.1 km route
The Ellen Key Trail, 6.1 km long, offers sweeping views, beech forests, and flowering hay meadows. Starting at Stocklycke Harbor, the trail winds its way past Rödgaveln’s cave through a varied coastal forest toward the Bokskogen Nature Reserve. In 1910, Ellen Key built her house, Strand, in the spirit of “a home for the soul.” The site of the Stocklycke hostel and café was originally a farm that belonged to Alvastra Abbey. The hostel is one of Sweden’s oldest and is located in the heart of Omberg’s beech forest, a few hundred meters from Lake Vättern.
Alvastra Monastery Trail
On the Monastery Trail from Alvastra Abbey to Vadstena, you’ll hike across Omberg, the sacred mountain of the Östergötland region, admire the view of Lake Vättern, visit the Sacred Heart Monastery, hike across the Östergötland plain, and arrive at your pilgrimage destination, the Monastery Church in Vadstena. You can stay with us at Starby Hotel or book one of our packages that include meals and accommodations.
Gränna
Set off on an adventure and explore Gränna. For nature lovers, the surrounding area is a paradise with nature reserves, lovely hiking trails, and beautiful views. There are also plenty of reminders of past glories, with castle ruins and fortresses in the area that bear witness to Sweden’s former era of great power.
Learn more about GrännaÖvralid
Verner von Heidenstam's home. Just 30 minutes from Starby, you'll find this hidden gem: Övralid, overlooking Lake Vättern with the forest right in its backyard.
Learn more about ÖvralidMedevi Spa
The oldest health resort in the Nordic region, with a spa season every summer since it was founded in 1678 by the physician and scientist Urban Hjärne. Since the Middle Ages, and still today, Medevi has attracted visitors from near and far.
Learn more about Medevi BrunnHästholmen
Hästholmen is a true gem along the shores of Lake Vättern. Here you’ll find Hästholmen Harbor, a gathering place for fishermen, divers, boaters, and anyone else who wants to enjoy the surroundings and the atmosphere. During the summer, the harbor comes alive. Why not take a dip in Lake Vättern? Sample award-winning ice cream or set out on an exploration of Lake Vättern. It’s up to you.
Learn more about Hästholmen