Västerljung, Södermanland | Exploring Sweden
Västerljung is a locality and a parish in Trosa Municipality, located in the county of Södermanland, Sweden. With a population of approximately 380 residents as of 2025, it is a small rural community. The locality is part of a triangular area of three main settlements within the municipality, along with the coastal town of Trosa and the transport hub of Vagnhärad. Västerljung is situated in the heart of the Södermanland countryside. The area is known for its long agricultural history, its medieval church, and its numerous ancient remains.
The character of Västerljung is that of a traditional Swedish church village (kyrkby). Its identity is centered around its historic church, which has been the heart of the parish for centuries. The surrounding area is a quiet community consisting of scattered farms, residential houses, and several active farm shops. The landscape is a classic Södermanland mix of open fields, forests, and lakes. This rural setting provides a look into the long continuity of agricultural life in the region.
A Short History of Västerljung
The history of Västerljung is that of a medieval parish with a rich and sometimes dramatic past. For centuries, its development was shaped by agriculture, local industry, and its role as a religious center for the surrounding farms. The parish has been the site of a major archaeological discovery and has seen its main landmark destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. This long history is a key part of the area’s identity.
A Medieval Parish and a Great Treasure
Västerljung Parish has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. The oldest parts of the current church date back to the 12th century, and a community has existed around this site for centuries. The parish was historically large, with several small villages and numerous farmsteads. A key event in the parish’s history was the discovery of the large Tureholm Treasure in 1774. This hoard, weighing over 12 kilograms, is one of the largest gold treasures ever found in Scandinavia and dates to the Migration Period.
A History of Conflict and Rebuilding
The parish church has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries. It was hit by lightning in both 1595 and 1689. It was also one of the churches in the region that was burned by Russian forces during the Russian Pillage of 1719. This event devastated many towns and villages along the Swedish coast. A large rune stone from the 11th century was discovered in the church foundation during a renovation in 1959, providing a direct link to the area’s Viking Age past.
Rural Industry and Modern Times
Farming and livestock have always been an important part of the livelihood for Västerljung’s inhabitants. However, there has also been other production in the area. A sawmill was in use at Gise until 1916, and a dairy at Hållsviken closed the same year. A new mill and power station were later built at Gise in 1927. The parish also had a train station on the Nyköping-Stockholm line until the 1960s. Today, it is a quiet rural community, but several active farms continue the tradition of local production.
Things to Do and See
The sights in and around Västerljung are focused on its historic church, its active farm shops, and the surrounding natural landscape. The main points of interest offer a look into both the ancient and the modern rural life of the Södermanland province.
Västerljung Church
The main building of Västerljung is its historic church. The Västerljung Church (Västerljungs kyrka) has medieval origins, with its oldest parts dating back to the 12th century. Its current appearance largely dates to a reconstruction in 1889. The church is surrounded by a small cemetery. The graveyard includes the grave monument for Walther von Hallwyl, a Swiss count who once owned the nearby Tureholm Castle. The rune stone that was found in the church foundation in 1959 is also located here.
Hillsta Gård – Vegetables & Strawberries
Hillsta Gård is an active farm located close to the center of the locality. The farm has a farm shop where they sell their own products directly to customers. The offerings in the shop differ depending on the season. The farm is particularly known for its strawberries, and during the summer, it is a popular destination for people who want to pick their own (självplock). The farm provides a direct connection to the modern agricultural life of the region.
We have earlier been at Hillsta to pick strawberries, read more about it here>>
Bergs Gård – Meat, MTB & Hiking
Bergs Gård is another large farm in the area that has developed into a major destination for agritourism. The farm has a large farm shop that primarily sells meat from its own production. In addition to the shop, Bergs Gård is known for its extensive recreational activities. It has a well-developed network of mountain bike tracks of varying difficulty. It also has a nature walking path for those who want to enjoy an easy walk in the countryside.
We have recently visited Bergs Gård for a Christmas walk, read more about it here>>
Lake Gisesjön
Lake Gisesjön is a lake located a bit south of Västerljung. The lake is situated within the Nynäs Nature Reserve. It is a popular local destination for outdoor recreation. The area around the lake has several marked hiking paths, designated barbecue spots, and opportunities for fishing. There is also a small, public beach for swimming during the warm summer months.
We have visited Gisesjön several times in the past, read more here>>
Sörmlandsleden – Hiking
The Sörmlandsleden is a network of hiking paths that stretches for over 1,000 kilometers all around the province of Södermanland. The closest section to Västerljung is Route 55, which runs between Gisekvarn and the town of Trosa, a distance of 16 kilometers. This route takes hikers from the old mill at Gise, past the historic Tureholm Castle, and all the way to the coast. The trail is a major attraction for hikers visiting the region.
You can read more about Sörmlandsleden and find maps at the official website here >>
How to get to Västerljung
Reaching the locality of Västerljung requires travel to a rural part of Södermanland, between the towns of Nyköping and Vagnhärad. A car is the most practical means of transport, as public transport links to this specific location are limited.
The Open Road: Driving to Södermanland
Driving is the most straightforward way to reach Västerljung. The locality is located just a short drive from the E4 motorway, which is the main north-south highway in Sweden. From the motorway exit at Tystberga or Vagnhärad, a short drive on local roads leads to the village. A car is essential for exploring the scattered historical sights and farm shops of the region.
Arriving by Air: Stockholm Skavsta Airport
The closest and most convenient airport is Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO). It is located near Nyköping, approximately 40 kilometers away, and is a hub for low-cost carriers. Sweden’s main international airport, Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), is located about 110 kilometers away. From either of these airports, a rental car is the most practical option for completing the journey.
On Track: A Journey by Rail and Bus
Västerljung does not have its own train station. The closest train station is located in the nearby town of Vagnhärad, approximately 10 kilometers away. The Vagnhärad station is a stop on the main railway line between Stockholm and Nyköping. From the train station, a regional bus service operated by Sörmlandstrafiken or a taxi is required to complete the journey to Västerljung.
Connecting by Coach
There are no direct long-distance bus services to the small locality of Västerljung. Travel by coach would typically involve taking a service to a larger nearby city, such as Nyköping or Södertälje. From these cities, travelers would then need to transfer to a regional bus service to complete the journey.
An International Ferry Approach
The closest major international ferry ports are located in Nynäshamn and Stockholm. These ports have frequent connections to Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland. From either of these ports, the journey to Västerljung must be completed by car. The drive from Nynäshamn takes approximately one hour.
Driving Distances
The driving distance from 10 regional cities, according to Google Maps:
- Nyköping, Sweden – 27 kilometers (0 h 20 min)
- Södertälje, Sweden – 43 kilometers (0 h 30 min)
- Stockholm, Sweden – 75 kilometers (1 h 00 min)
- Norrköping, Sweden – 90 kilometers (1 h 00 min)
- Linköping, Sweden – 135 kilometers (1 h 30 min)
- Copenhagen, Denmark – 581 kilometers (6 h 00 min)
- Oslo, Norway – 491 kilometers (5 h 30 min)
- Gothenburg, Sweden – 396 kilometers (4 h 10 min)
- Malmö, Sweden – 540 kilometers (5 h 20 min)
- Kiruna, Sweden – 1,302 kilometers (14 h 50 min)
Explore More of Södermanland and Sweden
This post was first published 2021-01-08 and was updated 2025-07-25
