Grinda and Gällnö

Why would you use the public ferry to Grinda, if you can get there under your own steam! Rent one of our expedition kayaks and go on an adventure. This is a great plan for long weekend or short break away from the city. Once you get there, you will enjoy wonderful landscapes. The older buildings and farmed landscape have been remarkably well maintained. Fields, meadows, parkland and forest are let to tenant farmers on the island. Depending on your paddling experience, wind condition and how much time per day do you prefer to paddle, this trip can take you 3 – 4 days. We recommend also short hikes around to discover islands by different perspective.

Grinda is a popular summer destination, with hotel, hostel, guest harbour, sauna and cabins to rent, together with country store, ice cream kiosk, café and restaurant. Director of Nobel Foundation Henrik Santesson purchased Grinda in 1906 and built a huge art nouveau palace as summer residence for himself and his family. This stone mansion is now Grinda Wärdshus. Grinda in its entirety is today a nature reserve, with agriculture and animal husbandry as necessary elements to keep the landscape open and alive.

Gällnö is one of the middle archipelago’s more original islands. There are very few summer houses on Gällno and there is about 30 people living all year round on the island. A narrow sound separates Gällno from Karklö. The rowing boats in the passage can be freely used to move between the islands. These islands are a popular summer destination, as they lie along the island-hopping routes. Here is also a shop and youth hostel, a popular bar with excellent food, and an idyllic café with a wide range of delights.

While kayaking you will have a chance to see many coastal birds among others: common eider, common sandpiper, oystercatcher, great crested grebe, ospreys, white tailed eagles, seagulls and mute swan.

Plan your route according to your skills and weather forecast. You are responsible for conducting proper behaviour according to the traffic rules.