Walk from Hornstull to Skanstull in Södermalm, Stockholm

27 May 2017

The walk from Hornstull to Skanstull is a nice and easy walk on flat terrain along the south western shore of Södermalm island in Stockholm.

We started the walk after coming out from the Hornstull Tunnelbana Station and went into a a small park called Högalidsparken. The twin towers of the Högalids Kyrka could be seen above the tree line and used as a reference to orientate ourselves. 

If we had taken the right exit, we would have came up from the subway near Hornsgatan. This would be a shorter walk to the lakeside, where the Hornstull Marknad (flea market) is located on the west side of Södermalm. This is a Summer market that opens from 11 AM to 5 PM every Saturday and Sunday, from the first weekend in April to the last weekend in September (except midsummer June 24-25).

We arrived shortly after 11 AM and the market was in full swing. There were stalls selling antiques, curios and second hand stuff and clothes. Food trucks lined the narrow road (Hornstulls Strand) facing the Liljeholmsviken waterway.

This would be a good place to grab something to eat before starting the walk. Options include kebabs, fruits, fish and chips, coffee and even kimchi burgers!

We crossed under the dual carriageway carrying vehicular traffic into a large green open space called the Tantolunden park. Like wild spring flowers, many locals and visitors were scattered all over the green field, enjoying the warm rays of the noon sun.

Tantolunden park near Hornstull.

Others were sun tanning by the boardwalk protruding into the lake. A few were swimming. I think the water must be still very cold even though the sun was out.

We continued our walk along a nice lakeside trail that leads towards Skanstull, about 3 km away, on the southern-most side of Södermalm.

Swedes enjoying themselves on a beach facing Liljeholmsviken near Hornstull.

A few hundred meters down the trail, we spotted a beach! Swedes were out in numbers. Coming from hot humid Singapore, we could enjoy such activities all year round. Here in Sweden, such activities could be done only in the warm summer months.

Colourful tulips in full bloom.

The trail is ideal for walking and cycling. Most parts were well shaded from the noon sun.  Here are the photos I shot.

Group of guys pushing a pram!  I notice that the father is always the one pushing the pram in Sweden, not the mother.

Boy fishing by the lake. Can you see the brown dog swimming.

Pit stop along the trail.

I am photographing the black dog, not the legs!

We ended our walk at the Eriksdalsbadet, the biggest swimming centre in Stockholm. I was amazed (maybe not!) by the long lines of Swedes waiting to enter. The unusually warm weather in this spring day is welcomed by the sun loving Swedes.

Long lines of Swedes waiting to enter Eriksdalsbadet.

View of Eriksdalsbadet, the biggest swimming centre in Stockholm.

From Eriksdalsbadet, it was another 1.1 km walk along Götgatan (a shopping street) to the middle of Södermalm where there are many restaurants. This would be a good place to have lunch.

We chose to eat at a Thai restaurant called the Koh Phangan, along Skanegatan, after our walk. 

Koh Phangan Restaurant in Södermalm, Stockholm.

The interiors were dark and gave the look and feel of a Thai beach resort at night, complete with mock up Thai boxing rink, wooden huts, wooden furniture and trees with birds. Quite interesting decor.

Södermalm area has lots of designer clothes, second hand shops, as well as cafés and restaurants. Those with more energy can continue to explore the rest of Södermalm after lunch.

But not for us. More walks in the days to come.