Sörmland Trail, Hiking trail network in Södermanland, Sweden
Sörmlandsleden is a ring-shaped system of prepared hiking trails totalling about 1,000 km across Södermanland, from Björkhagen in Stockholm through Södertälje, Trosa, Nyköping, Katrineholm and Malmköping. It has 101 sections: 62 main stages and 39 branch stages, each 3–20 km long. Markings are orange rings around trees and posts, orange dots on rock, and orange signs with the letter S; the sign in the photograph reads "SÖRMLANDSLEDEN".
In 1966, hiking enthusiasts led by Gnesta resident Kurt Kjellgren began preparing the trail. Friluftsfrämjandet became its institutional sponsor in 1971, and the first section opened at Ånhammar near Gnesta in 1973. By 1975 hikers could walk about 500 km from Björkhagen to Nyköping, and the 620 km ring around Södermanland was completed in 1988.
The orange-red markers with the letter S and the carved wooden sign reading "SÖRMLANDSLEDEN" are the trail's everyday visual language. Local loops add a blue dot painted over the orange ring on trees, blue arrow tips and a blue ring beneath the orange mark on posts. The trail is kept up largely by volunteers in Föreningen Sörmlandsleden, based in Oxelösund.
The trail network features regular shelters and water sources positioned along the route, allowing hikers to rest between sections. It is wise to visit during dry weather and wear sturdy footwear, as the terrain is uneven in many places.
The trail is part of the European long-distance path E6, and at Stavsjö it links with the Östgötaleden. Its 101 sections comprise 62 main stages and 39 branch stages; the newest, stage 13:2 from Nykvarn, opened in 2017. Stage 1 starts at Björkhagen metro station in Stockholm.
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