Jönköping - Vadstena
- 10 days, self-guided -

OVERVIEW

The Saint Birgitta Ways are a network of pilgrimage routes that lead to Vadstena, one of Europe's most important pilgrimage destinations. The southern path follows in the footsteps of Saint Birgitta of Sweden (ca. 1304-1374), one of Europe’s most influential medieval women. The trail begins on the shores of Lake Vättern in Jönköping and leads north through quiet forests, rolling farmland, and charming villages before arriving in Vadstena – the spiritual heart of Sweden and home to the Bridgettine Order. This pilgrimage offers a harmonious blend of nature, history, and reflection, making it an inspiring journey for both body and soul.

This hike starts in Jönköping and follows the shores of Sweden's second-largest lake, Vättern. The first hiking days take you from mostly urban and suburban landscapes to peaceful Swedish forests and agricultural areas. Midway through the trip, you cross over to the island of Visingsö, a historic gem in the middle of the lake. We have included an extra day here. From Visingsö, the path continues north through lakeside meadows and cultural landscapes before reaching Vadstena. Your pilgrimage ends in this magical medieval town, where Saint Birgitta founded her abbey.

01. Travel day – Overnight in Jönköping

Stay in a hotel in the city center.

02. Jönköping – Kaxholmen (ca. 17 km)

Start at the Kristina Church at the eastern edge of the city centre. Follow the shores of the lake before turning inland. You walk through mostly urban areas, alternating with apple orchards. You spend the night by the shores of another, much smaller lake: Landsjön.

03. Kaxholmen – Vätterleden (ca. 23 km)

From Kaxholmen you can choose between two different paths to start your day. We recommend the longer trail through the forest and a nature reserve. From there you follow gravel roads past large wind turbines, some asphalt, and rolling forest paths. We can arrange a 3 km transfer to the accommodation, saving you the tough last hour along a busy road. This shortens the distance to 20 km.

04. Vätterleden – Visingsö (ca. 27 or 21 km + ferry)

A taxi can take you from the accommodation to the place where you ended your hike the day before. Enjoy a beautiful walk through rolling agricultural and forest landscapes, with cows and horses watching as you pass by. It really feels as if you are walking through Hobbit country. Later, you near the main road, which you pass under, before reaching a pretty demanding forest trail high above the shores of Lake Vättern. The last few kilometers go through suburban areas before reaching Gränna – the polkagris (candy cane) capital of the world. From there, take the ferry to Visingsö, an island in Lake Vättern. A connecting bus brings you to the accommodation, or you can walk the last 3 km.

05. Day on Visingsö

Visingsö is steeped in history and legends, making it a fascinating place to pause during your pilgrimage. It is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the quiet beauty of Lake Vättern. Spend the day cycling or walking along peaceful country roads lined with ancient oak trees, explore the ruins of Visingsborg Castle, or visit charming village churches and the small local museum. With its gentle atmosphere, open landscapes and rich history, Visingsö invites you to breathe deeply and connect with the past.

06. Visingsö – Ödeshög (ca. 25 km + ferry)

A bus takes you from your accommodation to the ferry. From Gränna to Ödeshög you have several route options, which affect the distance for today. There is quite a lot of asphalt and gravel, and part of the trail follows near the main road – which you can hear from a distance. Still, it is very pleasant hiking, though demanding at times, through parts of ancient forest and nature reserves.

07. Ödeshög – Omberg (ca. 20 km)

Today may be the highlight of the trip. Again, there are two options to start your day, but we recommend skipping the detour into Ödeshög village. Instead, follow the shores of the lake through beautiful forests and along rocky coastal paths, weaving between huge boulders. Be careful on wet days, as the trail can be slippery. Just a few hundred metres from the trail you can visit the impressive Alvastra Monastery ruins.

08. Omberg – Borghamn (ca. 12 km))

A short but truly stunning day, through lush forest and cliffs high above the lake. This is a popular hike for locals and tourists at weekends. Even though the distance is relatively short, take your time: tree roots stick out from the forest floor, so you really need to watch your step. The Västra Väggar viewpoint is a great place to stop and enjoy the scenery.ins.

09. Borghamn – Vadstena (ca. 20 km)

After two days of rocky terrain, today's walk is much easier, following winding gravel roads through gently rolling fields towards Vadstena. For the last stretch, you can take a detour along the coast, but that adds another 5 km. Stop at Örberga Church – one of the oldest churches in all of Sweden. From there you can almost see the abbey church of Vadstena – the endpoint of your journey. Vadstena is a charming medieval town on the shores of the lake, rich in history and spiritual heritage. With its abbey founded by Saint Birgitta and its beautifully preserved castle and old town, Vadstena is both peaceful and inspiring - a truly hidden gem.

10. Travel day

From Vadstena it takes about three hours to return to Jönköping, including transfers between bus and train. We will help you find the best connection.

Optional

You can of course skip the extra day on Visingsö and opt for a night in Gränna.

Summary

Self-guided hike along the St. Birgitta Path from Jönköping to Vadstena (Sweden)
Ca. 140 km
Available from May to October
10 days, with an average of 20 kilometers per day.
€1,325 (one person, single room)
€2,095 (two persons, double room)