"St. Eric's Path, Uppsala" Top 5 Page for this destination Sweden Things to Do Tip by hopang

St. Eric's Path (Eriksleden in Swedish language) is the most famous among all the paths in and around Uppsala. It stretches from Gamla Uppsala kyrka (Old Uppsala church) to the center of the city in Uppsala passing through Svartbäcken's residential area, a distance of approximately six kilometer long. Yellow direction signs (as depicted on our main photograph) are indicated along the way to guide visitors to the correct path.

Scenery along the way is wonderful to admire especially the scenic river with many different species of birds and ducks, the wooden and metal bridges, the magnificent structure of Fyrishov sports centre, the lovely and quiet residential area of Svartbäcken, the undulated hills, the thin evergreen forests, the vast vacant green land, the villages at Gamla Uppsala and of course the three burial mounds.

Tables and chairs together with the waste disposal bins are provided along the way for visitors to rest and have some picnics before continuing their journey towards their desired destination. We have walked along this path several hundred times. Nevertheless we do not seem to get bored. St. Eric's Path is also an ideal path for cycling, jogging and walking with the dogs especially by the locals.

History of St. Eric's Path as quoted in the signboard at the starting point at Gamla Uppsala kyrka in Gamla Uppsala (as depicted on our third photograph).

It reads:- "According to the legend, on the 18th of May 1160 King Eric Jedvardsson walked from the royal manor at Gamla Uppsala to celebrate Mass in Uppsala. During Mass, a Danish force approached the church. When Eric left the church, a conflict began, which ended in his decapitation. His head rolled down from the height. Where it came to rest, a spring of water broke out.

Eric was soon regarded as a saint. His grave lay in Gamla Uppsala church, but when the cathedral there burned down in the 13th Century, his remains were moved in the new cathedral at Uppsala. Every year, the reliquary was borne in procession back to Gamla Uppsala church. The cult was discontinued in the 16th Century.

For the walker, St. Eric's Path gives a sense of tranquility during the 6 km walk in both urban and rural surroundings. Enjoy the peace and harmony your walk provides - Uppsala kommun."

Address: Gamla Uppsala, Uppsala
Directions: Starting point at the center of the city is along Svartbäcksgatan on the east bank of Fyris River walking northwards. Signs are directed along the way. Please pay attention to the yellow direction signs and you will not miss the path.
othercontact: E-mail: info@uppsalatourism.se
Phone: +46 (0) 18-727 48 00
Website: http://www.uppsalatourism.se/