A route guide by Olle Persson.

Sävö and the Ringsö islands

The northern Nyköping archipelago, about 1.5 hours south of Stockholm, continues where the Trosa archipelago ends. Much of it is protected as nature reserves, the islands are close together, and you can paddle sheltered from most winds while the open sea is never far away. Together with the islands around Stendörren, they surround Tvären, an almost perfectly round bay believed to be the crater of an ancient meteorite impact. Sävö, closest to the mainland, is a great base for longer trips – and a lovely destination in itself.

The easiest access is from Källvik jetty. The whole island is a nature reserve, restored in the 1990s to show how it looked when it was farmed in the 1940s, with open fields and meadows. A hiking trail, part of the Sörmlandsleden, loops around the island. By Sävsundet there is a hostel in the old pilots’ houses, and the white pilot lookout still stands on the rock. From Kikarberget you get a great view over Tvären and Gupafjärden. If parking at Källvik is full, try Nynäs jetty or Studsvik jetty further south.

Around Sävö

A short day trip packed with things to see. Combine it with a walk around the island and stay overnight in the hostel or a rental cabin. In Sävsundet, pilots kept watch for generations and the sound was once fortified on both sides.

• Launch: Källvik jetty
• Distance: 5 km
• Difficulty: easy
• Map: topographic map Sörmlands skärgård, 1:50,000
• Highlights: living archipelago landscape, old pilot station and lookout, the Stella Maris sculpture, swimming, narrow sounds and open bays, hostel and viewpoints

From Källvik it is only 300 metres across to the north-east side of Sävö, and the whole loop is in sheltered water – ideal for less experienced paddlers. To simply visit the island, land at the jetty in Boholmsviken, by a couple of red buildings (one is a rental cabin), where the hiking trail starts. Just south of the bay, the wooden sculpture Stella Maris (“Star of the Sea”), a female figure shaped as a wind shelter, stands on a rock.

To go round the island, continue south between Kvinnholmen and Sävö and turn right into Sävsundet. The white former pilot lookout is on a rock to your right; pilots were stationed here until 1967. Shortly after, you can paddle in under the jetty to the grassy slope below the old pilot house, now a hostel. The name Skansudden (“Fort Point”) on the opposite shore recalls the old defences.

Continue past Sävösund lighthouse on Sakris udde, the island’s south-western point, and the small island of Granholmen. In Huvviken there is a barbecue area and good swimming. Round Sävö Norrudde, the northern tip, and you will see Källvik lighthouse and the jetty where you started.

Great for beginners and families

This short, sheltered loop is perfect for a first kayak trip. A double kayak or an inflatable kayak works well – and make sure everyone wears a life jacket. Staying in Stockholm and want to try kayaking first? Rent a kayak at our base on Långholmen in the city centre, or join a guided kayak tour in English.