Utö

Utö lies due east of Nynäshamn, across the bay of Mysingen. Utö is part of a group of islands including the islands of Ornö, Rånö, Ålö and Nåttarö. The island has been shaped by three periods of history. They are mining, with one of Sweden's oldest iron mines, the presence of the armed forces with the shooting range in the south and the major industry today, which is tourism. There are about 250 permanent residents including many families and there is a kindergarten and one of the largest primary schools in the archipelago here. The population increases dramatically during the summer but there are also many visitors at other times of the year. The Fire over Land and Sea festival, the annual Christmas Market and Christmas smörgåsbord at Utö Värdshus help to attract visitors.

There is lots to see and do on Utö. There is bicycle and canoe rental at the harbour and you can go on boating trips fishing and sightseeing around the islands. There are also tennis courts and a crazy golf course or courses in western horse riding for the more adventurous.

You eat well at Utö Värdshus (inn), which is in the former works office above the harbour with a view over Mysingen, or at the busy guest jetty at Utö Bageri och Kök (bakery) where the famous Utö loaf is baked. Båtshaket is on Ålö and there they serve their own farmed, smoked rainbow trout.

You can camp, rent a cottage or stay at the hostel or the inn, which also has good conference facilities.

- The Iron Mines in the old mining village are a fascinating monument to Sweden's oldest mines. You can see mines that are now filled with water and which are up to 215 metres deep.

-Utö Kvarn (mill) was built in the 18th century and it has the best views of the harbour and the sea beyond.

- The Utö Loaf is, of course, baked here and we cannot do it justice in writing. You have to experience it for yourself!

- The Museum is in the old fire station next to Utö Värdshus.

How to get there
The commuter train (pendeltåg) goes from Stockholm to Västerhaninge station and then take the bus to Årsta pier from where ferries go regularly all year round. During the summer you can catch a Waxholmsbåt ferry from Stockholm. The journey time is one hour from Årsta pier and 3.5 hours from Stockholm.

Food
Utö Värdshus
Utö Bageri och Kök (bakery)
Seglarbaren
Restaurang Båtshaket, Ålö pier

Accommodation
Utö Värdshus
Utö STF (Swedish Tourist Association) hostel
Gula Villan at Edesnäs near Spränga pier.
Cottages to rent
Camping with room for about 50 tents.

Shopping
Utö Livs (grocery), agent for systembolaget (off-licence)
Hamnmagasinet
Utö Marine petrol station (at the harbour)

Guest Harbours
At Gruvbryggan there is room for 300 pleasure boats. It has many services including showers, sauna, toilets, laundry, shop and facilities to empty septic tanks.

Bathing
There are many areas to swim including near Gruvbryggan, from the rocks at Rävstavik or the beautiful sandy beach at Ålö Storsand.

Nature
The northern part of Utö and the surrounding islands are a nature reserve. In the middle of the reserve is Gruvbyn, the old mining village, next to the old iron mine. The landscape is dominated by coniferous woodland, open fields, plentiful flora and the rocks towards the open sea to the east. Elder-flowered Orchids, Meadow Saxifrage and Rue-Leaved Saxifrage are found in the lime-rich soil of the northen part of the island. The flora is most diverse near Utö's northern headland where you can also see many bird species, especially during the autumn when the small birds and birds of prey are migrating. Norra Utö is also famous for its butterflies including the large Apollo butterfly.

Near the old mines are slag heaps which are exciting to explore if you are interested in minerals. It is possible to find fool's gold, blue tourmaline and red garnet. Please remember that you may not take stones away with you!

The Archipelago Foundation bought northern Utö in 1973 and they have developed the area with swimming and picnic areas, built walks and cycle paths and been responsible for active forestry concentrating on conservation. A lot of the coastline has beautiful smooth rocks, perfect for swimming and there are several beaches too. Utöstigen (walk) is a 3 km nature and cultural trail that starts at Gruvbryggan.

History
Utö rose out of the sea as small islands after the Ice Age about 10 000 years ago. The first inhabitants were probably nomad fishermen and hunters. Permanent residents are documented from 550 to 1050 in the graveyards at Skogsby on the southern island. The whole island was inhabited towards the end of this period. Mining was already active during the 12^th century. The mines of Utö are the oldest and probably were the most important in Sweden for over 700 years. The industry continued until 1879. Apart from some testing during the 1950s, the mine has been idle since then.

When mining was no longer profitable, the island was bought by the industrialist, Andersson. He built a saw mill and started cutting down the woodland. The island was then sold to the wholesale trader, E-W Levin, who built a resort and contributed to opening up the archipelago for city-dwellers. There were a lot of famous names among those early visitors including the artist couple, Georg and Hanna Pauli, the authors, Gustaf Fröding, Gustaf Hellström, Alice Lyttkens and the columnist Hasse Z. The firing range on the southern part of the island and was used by the military from the 1940s. It is still in use occasionally today.

General
Utö Tourist Office, tel: +46 (0)8-501 574 10
Archipelago guide: Charlotte Schröder, tel: +46 (0)70-200 37 64