Trollskogen on Öland: Trollskogsstigen round the cape

From the car park beside Naturum Trollskogen, follow the red markers of Trollskogsstigen north-east into the forest and along the east side of the cape, past the oak Trolleken, which the reserve's page calls Öland's oldest, 800 to 900 years old. The path goes on to the north end of the cape and comes back down the west side through wind-shaped pine forest. The county board's page says the trail passes most of the sights: Trolleken, the wreck of the schooner Swiks, Iron Age graves, a wall and the beach meadows of Grankullaviken.

It is 4.6 km round, with no measurable climb in our height data; allow 1 to 2 hours, which is what the reserve's page says. The grade is Easy: a flat path through forest and along the shore, mostly a natural path. The reserve's page says the northern part is a nature path where stones and roots make up the surface.

The reserve is run by Länsstyrelsen Kalmar. Dogs must be on a lead all the time, and cows roam free in the reserve: in spring and early summer, with calves, they are often very protective, so keep dogs out of the pasture. Camping and fires are not allowed, bicycles and horses may use the forest road but not the hiking trails, and you may not take stones or parts of the Swiks wreck.

The car park is marked as free on the map; the page says it is for day use only, with no overnight stays. There is a toilet at the car park, and the naturum has exhibitions and a café. The page names no bus stop, so look the journey up in a journey planner.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.