Djurö National Park

Hike in Djurö National Park

Join us for a trip to the exotic and scenic Djurö National Park in the heart of Europe’s largest lake archipelago. A hidden oasis in the inland sea of Vänern with Sweden’s perhaps most sunny climate. The inaccessible island group has a wilderness character except on smaller parts of the main island where there have previously been residents.

You have to travel at least eight kilometres across open water to visit Djurö National Park. Once in place, the impression of insulation is reinforced. To the north is only open water so long the eye reaches. Luröskärgården in the southwest is just a low stripe on the horizon.

We have several different package offers for a visit to Djurö National Park.

Day trip to Djurö National Park with guided hiking

We start the tour at Mariestad harbor, but it’s also possible to embark and disembark at Laxhall on Torsö. The boat trip to Djurö National Park takes about 3.5 hours by motor, but if we have good winds, we’ll try sailing, which might take a bit longer. There will be coffee breaks along the way. Upon arrival at the national park, we’ll have lunch on board before embarking on a guided hike around the island, with coffee and tea packed for the journey. On beautiful days, we’ll stop for a swim at Djurö’s only sandy beach.

Schedule:

  • Departure from Mariestad: 8 AM
  • Departure from Laxhall ca 10 AM
  • Arrival at Djurö ca 12 PM
  • Departure from Djurö ca 4 PM
  • Arrival at Laxhall ca 6 PM
  • Arrival at Mariestad ca 8 PM

Price:
Adult: Guided hiking 1,490 SEK
Children under 16 years old: Half price
Book the entire boat, maximum 12 participants: 8,900 SEK

Dates: Saturdays from May 5th to September 21st.

Number of participants: Minimum six full-paying persons, maximum 12 persons.

Guide: Since we have participants from different countries, the guidance will be in English; otherwise, we guide in Swedish.

Boat trip to Djurö National Park with guided hiking and overnight stay

We start the tour at Mariestad harbor with lunch on board. The boat trip to Djurö National Park takes about 3.5 hours by motor, but if we have good winds, we’ll try sailing, which might take a bit longer. There will be coffee breaks/snacks along the way. Upon arrival at the national park, we embark on a guided hike around the island, with coffee and tea packed for the journey. On beautiful days, we’ll stop for a swim at Djurö’s only sandy beach.

Back on the boat, there will be some free time for swimming, SUP, or just relaxing in the beautiful natural harbor while dinner is being prepared.

We overnight on board. There are three cabins with two berths each and one cabin with one berth. If there’s an odd number of bookings, you may be asked to share a cabin. It’s also possible to arrange bedding for two people in the salon or bring a tent if there’s interest.

Day two starts with a small breakfast buffet. Then there’s time to explore Djurö National Park on your own for a while. Hike over to the old lighthouse keeper’s house and the lighthouse, swim, or paddle SUP.

We have lunch on board and then head back to Mariestad.

Schedule: Departure from Mariestad harbor at 12:00 PM, return to Mariestad around 5:00 PM the following day.

Number of participants: Minimum 4 participants. Maximum 7 people sleeping in cabins. Maximum 9 people if two sleep in the salon, and a maximum of 12 participants with overnight camping included.

Dates: Saturdays from May 5th to September 21st. Other dates upon request.

Price: 2490 SEK/person including boat trip, guide, all meals, accommodation with sheets, and towels.

Guide: Since we have participants from different countries, the guidance will be in English; otherwise, we guide in Swedish.

No archipelago in the country is so isolated and it is precisely the seclusion that pleases (County Administrative Board)

In addition to smoothly polished rocks, pebblestone beaches, and the rich birdlife, there is a large grassy clearing on the main island Djurö, kept open by the grazing of fallow deer. A beautiful contrast to the surrounding sparse pine forest. The osprey is a characteristic bird and nests in several places. We often see the sea eagle circling above the islands or passing over us during the boat trip.

The purpose of Djurö National Park is to preserve the wild and isolated archipelago. Let the forest develop into primaeval forest and protect bird life. There is also an exciting cultural history on the main island. Central to the island is the remains of an agricultural landscape. There is also a rich hunting villa from the time when the island was a hunting park.

The boat trip is an experience in itself. We travel with M / S Pärla, which is a safe two-mast motor sailor. You can come onboard in Mariestad or at Laxhall on Torsö. The tour goes through the beautiful archipelago and further across open water. In the west, Djurö National Park grows at the same time as we have a free horizon to the south and north on the great lake Vänern. When we have good wind, we are setting sails and let the wind bring us forward. The sail and keel also help make the transfer comfortable as a sailing boat rolls much less if the waves are large. M / S Pärla has room for everyone inside the boat in bad weather and generous spaces on deck when the weather is nice. On board, there is also a spacious toilet with WC.

Hiking in Djurö National Park:
Upon arrival at Djurö, we go through the plan for the hike and then proceed to hike at a leisurely pace for approximately 2-3 hours. The guide will share information about the nature we pass through and point out the cultural heritage sites on the island. There will be stories about bygone eras and how life used to be lived on the island.

We hike with Labrador tea brushing against our legs and over cliffs along the shores of Lake Vänern. At Djurö, we walk on forest trails, so make sure to wear good hiking shoes.. Often, we catch sight of the shy fallow deer if we quietly approach the right spots. We’ll stop at a suitable place for a break and have a snack. If the weather is good, there will also be a chance to take a swim for those who wish.

Keep in mind that the children who follow the guided walk must either be able to walk the distance (2-3 hours along paths) or be carried on the back of the accompanying adult. In some places on the island there are composting toilets.

Visitor information for Djurö National Park

If it blows too much, the tour might be cancelled. Too much wind means constant wind over 10 meters per second, but the skipper always has the last word as several factors contribute. It seldom happens during the summer that the tour needs to be cancelled. Just in case, please leave a phone number where we can reach you before departure.

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