The Omberg offers numerous opportunities to discover its diverse nature on hikes or walks.
600 m to 2000 m long are the nature trails "Omberg and the ice Age" and Skogsslingan (Forest loop, Trees and bushes), the beechwood forest trail, Orchid trail (hiking trail in the Ombergsliden nature reserve), and Greta's garden. They are marked in colour and provided with information signs and boards.
Furthermore, three hiking trails make the Omberg accessible (Ellen-Key trail, Älvarum's trail, Around Omberg/Östgöta Trail), whereby the Ombergsleden completely surrounds the mountain over a length of 25,3 km.
Ombergsleden and the orchid path in Ombergsliden are marked in orange. Unfortunately, orange markings can also be found in many other places on Omberg. This can easily be confusing. In this respect it is no mistake to use a map. UpplevVadstena.se provides access to online maps of all paths and trails. Each map is also available as pdf for printing. So you do not need to carry more than 5g of paper in your pocket.
But also off the marked paths you can go for a walk. In the north as well as in the south there are enough forest paths and forest trails that can be combined to round trips or walks.
Omberg's nature and hiking trails
Promenader på Omberg
(walks on Omberg - in swedish).
With the re-routing of the Omberg Trail on the north-eastern side of the Omberg in August 2020, two new pilgrimage routes were created: the (new) Klosterleden and the Virgin Mary round. Both follow the Ombergsleden/Östgötaleden to a large extent, thus passing neither Ombergs hjässan, Ombergsliden, Maria Hjärtas monastery, Djurkälla nor any chalk marshes. The Virgin Mary round (Jungfru Maria rundan) is identical to the northern section of the Omberg trail.
The former pilgrimage trails "Klosterleden" and "Mary trail" ("Marialeden") still exist and combine Omberg's finest hiking trails. However, they lack their own markings and signposting. Please use UpplevVadstena's maps and directions for orientation. Suitable places for rest and devotions can be found on the new and old pilgrimage routes.
The Klosterleden (abbey trail) begins at the Alvastra monastery ruins and leads to the monastery church in Vadstena. It belongs to the so-called Birgittatrails, which all have Vadstena as their destination. In Alvastra, the Franciscus Trail joins in the south towards Jönköping.
"Marialeden" (Omberg) is a 10.3 km circular hiking trail with Borghamn as the starting point and can be easily mastered in one or half a day.
If you would like digital help for your pilgrimage over Mount Omberg, including rest areas, route choices, accommodation, sights and more, check Visit Östergötland's Digital pilgrimage trail, which covers the route between Ödeshög and Vadstena.
A guide can be booked for a hike on Klosterleden and Marialeden. Please contact
.
Every Sunday at 10.00 from October to mid-May, dog owners from Östergötland and their four-legged friends meet for a joint walk on Omberg, usually 4 kilometres long, but in exceptional cases even longer. The meeting point is one of the car parks between Borghamn and Alvastra. The choice of route depends on weather conditions and season. There is a FB group where you can find out when and where the next dog walk starts and where it goes.
While most visitors like to discover the Omberg on their own, guided cultural and nature walks are also available, both tours lasting several hours (3-6 h) with picnic basket and shorter tours lasting one or two hours. The guides have detailed knowledge and local knowledge, which they are happy to pass on to their visitors. If you wish, you can also book a nature guide individually as a group.
Organizers on the Omberg are Wettersaga, Woods & Water as well as Kulturguidningar i Dal.
Public Omberg walks and guided tours can be found at Guidade turer på Omberg.
Bike trail north
Bike trail south
Sveaskog - the forest administration responsible for Ecopark Omberg - has created two MTB trails, one on the north side of the mountain with start and finish at Ommaborg in Borghamn (5.7 km) and one on the south side with start and finish at Stocklycke (12 km and 9 km respectively).
The routes run counterclockwise over short asphalt stretches, forest paths, forest trails, cleared paths and individual hiking trails. Please note that the hiking trails are shared with pedestrians - show consideration and let pedestrians have the right of way!
Ecopark Omberg's cycle trails [pdf]
Note! Sveaskog's documentation (above) is not up to date. We link to the documentation, but recommend using UpplevVadstena's maps above (online) and below (pdf)!
Ecopark Omberg cycle trail north [pdf]
Ecopark Omberg cycle trail south [pdf]
Forest Bathing, or Forest Therapy, is a peaceful, immersive experience in beautiful natural environment. Through simple activities designed specifically for a unique nature experience, you will be guided to presence, relaxation and deep contact with nature.
Forest therapy originated in the Japanese practice Shinrin-Yoku, which means "to bathe in the atmosphere of the forest". The practice is based on research on the effects of nature on human health and is very popular in Japan.
A guided Forest Therapy walk suits most people and is described by many participants as a relaxing and joyful experience.
You can book forest pools for individuals, families and private parties or join a smaller group that is open to the public. Price from 390 SEK per person. Language Swedish or English. Book your Forest Bathing experience at www.upplevskogsbad.se or by email to .
Public forest bathing on Omberg [In Swedish]
On and around Omberg there are about 40 sights and interesting places, from Västra Väggar to Sweden's highest spruce, all within walking distance.
There are also fifteen caves hidden in the fault on the lake side, some of which are legendary, such as Rödgavel Grotto. Visit the caves and Omberg from Vättern by boat, kayak or canoe!
Discover Omberg's dramatic cliffs from the lake - and from inside! Day and evening excursions from Hästholmen south of Omberg and Borghamn in the north. The tours are conducted daily from July to August.
These trips are also suitable for those who have never been kayaking before. We paddle leisurely together to the Omberg. The participants should be able to swim 200 meters. It is not recommended to bring children under 10 years of age on the excursion.
Book an evening tour to Omberg's caves.
Daily 17.15 in the period 15 June - 16 August from Hästholmen.
Daily 16.00 in the period 26 August - 8 September from Hästholmen.
1250 kr per person in a double kayak:
(There are a small number of single kayaks available - if you would like a single kayak, please contact Woods and Water.)
Kayak rentals take place from June to August by the company VätternKajak. There are two rentals at Omberg:
Hästholmen - Start at the harbour of Hästholmen. To Omberg you have to paddle three kilometres north. The cliffs are steep. The best places to go ashore are just before you reach the mountain and at Älvarums udde or Anudden.
Borghamn - at the northern foot of the mountain is the port of Borghamn within Borghamn beach. From here it takes only a few minutes to the beaches of Omberg.
Book your kayak.
A single kayak costs 500 SEK/day and a double kayak 800 SEK/day.
Omberg is crossed by two regional cycle routes: Vättern-Sommenleden, whose main route is in Småland and Östergötland, and Runt Vättern-leden (main route: around Lake Vättern, Askersund - Motala - Vadstena - Ödeshög - Gränna - Jönköping - Habo - Hjo - Forsvik).
On Omberg the trails follow Norra and Södra Sjövägen. If you cycle southwards, pay attention on Norra Sjövägen. For motor vehicles the road is a one-way street to the north. You must therefore be aware of oncoming vehicles on the narrow road.
If you take a round trip around the mountain on paved roads, follow Borghamnsvägen, Skedagatan and Länsvägen 919 east of the mountain before climbing Sjövägen or Turistvägen "Around Omberg". Clockwise is the easiest way to cycle.
If the bike is also suitable for forest and gravel paths, you can cycle the "Australia Round", a circuit around the southern part of the Omberg and part of the Dags mosse. The route is 12.1 km long and signposted. Suitable starting points are Alvastra and Stocklycke. The name of the round is due to the fact that the course is similar to the contour of Australia.
A pilgrimage can also be done by bicycle. The "Pilgrimsrundan" (Pilgrim round) begins in Vadstena. The journey takes you over the Östgöta plain and Omberg, past Tåkern and Vättern. Along the way there are twelve medieval churches (Vadstena Monastery Church, Orlunda Church, Our Lady Church (Vårfrukyrkan, Skänninge), Bjälbo Church, Appuna Church, Kumla Church, Svanshals Church, Röks Church, Heda Church, Rogslösa Church, Örberga Church).
Combine motion by bike with peace and accessibility. Stop by the churches, rest and get more impressions of the surroundings. You can collect stamps from the twelve churches in a leaflet. The image of each stamp represents an object or detail in the church. Find out what it is! A pilgrimage does not necessarily always have to be on foot.
In Stocklycke auf dem Omberg you will find Omberg's Zipline, a park consisting of two height lines and several ziplines in the middle of a fairytale coniferous forest and legendary beech forest. From April to October.
On 13 April, the 30 km OmbergRunt running contest will be held again and on the same day Ommaruset for children. In 2024 the same track as last year will be used. Register for the OmbergRunt by 7 april and your children for the Ommaruset by 7 April.
Cycling races Tjejvättern, Vätternrundan 100 km and Halvvättern will take place on 8 June. All three take the lake route (Borghamn-Alvastra) over the Omberg. The Sjövägen (northern and southern part) will be closed to other traffic. The Vätternrundan (315 km) follows the county road past Omberg on 14/15 June. The county road is open to traffic during the races. Please drive carefully and be considerate of cyclists.
Autumn is the season for salmon fishing in Våttern.
Along the shore of Lake Vättern at Omberg there are several suitable places for fishing. One suitable place is Borghamn Strand. Here you can cast your fishing line from the piers and breakwater and stay in the resort.
During the fishing season (1 November - 2 January), 2/4-bed self-catering rooms are available for rent in "Kommendanten", the oldest house on the property, over 200 years old. Booking only via . Otherwise, winter rest applies in the facility, which opens for the new season on 28 March (Maundy Thursday).
Ombergsliden is a non-profit ski resort located on the eastern side of Omberg above the Convent of the Holy Heart. The facility offers two slopes, two lifts, sledding hill, Big Jump, winter café Mountain Lodge, ski school, ski rental and more.
Winter café during the ski season. The lodge offers a view of the plain and the Tåkern for miles around. The cottage was built in the 1940s and the charm remains in the timbered walls - but in recent years the cottage has been renovated with a new kitchen. In 2015 the basement was completely renovated with bedroom and bathroom.
The ski resort with the cosy log cabin is owned and run by the Vadstena Local Branch of the Swedish Friluftsfrämjandet.
For more information and opening hours (in Swedish) see: Ombergsliden.
If you would like to book accommodation in connection with a tour of Omberg, both can be ordered as a package deal from Ombergs Turisthotell.
See also: Package holidays
