Upplandsleden Stage 9 Kobol - Gisslarändan 21 km

The stage starts where Upplandsleden crosses the road at Kasbol bus stop near Storkärren nature reserve.

The first part has a beautiful view from a headland in the large oblong lake Vällen and then continues through the forest towards another large oblong lake called Gisslaren. The trail on this first part of the stage is reasonably well marked but the path is almost invisible. It is surprisingly rocky and it is impossible to keep a regular pace because of the difficult terrain. The trail follows a stream and you can see canoes.

After Kolarmora, nature changes radically and the forest opens up and becomes easier to walk. The trail follows the shore of Lake Gisslaren, which is completely undeveloped and offers a fantastic wilderness feeling.

If you are lucky, like us, you can see capercaillie and wild boar. There are also plenty of remains of coal production which may explain why several names of places in the area were related to coal. The trail leaves the lake and the remaining part to the stage goal Gisslarändan is easily walked on gravel roads or paths.

One might be surprised to find such wilderness so close to Stockholm. If you're looking for complete silence in nature, this is the stretch to hike.