Söder heights at sunset: Mariaberget, Monteliusvägen and Skinnarviksberget

A short climb from Mariatorget onto Mariaberget, the protected 18th-century cliff quarter on north-west Södermalm, then west along the cliff path Monteliusvägen to Skinnarviksberget, the highest natural point in the inner city, with the whole of Riddarfjärden, City Hall and Gamla stan below.

Best time: The hour before sunset, any season; on summer evenings Skinnarviksberget fills with picnics

The route, stop by stop

1. 1
   Mariatorget

   Start on the park-like square between Hornsgatan and Sankt Paulsgatan (called Adolf Fredriks torg before 1959). 10 min.

2. 2
   Bastugatan

   The 600 m lane along the top of Mariaberget, named after the bath houses that stood on the slope in the 1600s. The eastern part of Mariaberget is a protected cultural reserve that Stadsmuseet rates as of very high historic value; at the corner of Bellmansgatan stands the red-brick Laurinska huset. 15 min.

3. 3
   Mariahissen

   The iron footbridge over Bastugatan leads to the Mariahissen lift tower from the 1880s. Look over the rail at Riddarfjärden and Gamla stan. 5 min.

4. 4
   Ivar Los park

   Small hilltop park named in 1990 after the writer Ivar Lo-Johansson, who lived across the street at Bastugatan 21 from 1934 until his death. Nils Möllerberg's bust of him stands here, and the view over the water is one of the best on Söder. 10 min.

   A tiny garden park on Mariaberget named after the writer Ivar Lo-Johansson, opening onto Monteliusvägen with a view over the northern shore of Södermalm. Visit Stockholm itself…

5. 5
   Monteliusvägen

   The 416 m cliff path opened in 1998, high above Söder Mälarstrand, with benches and terraces facing Riddarfjärden, Kungsholmen, Riddarholmen and Gamla stan. Named after the archaeologist Oscar Montelius. 20 min.

   A 500 m clifftop footpath on Södermalm's north edge with the classic view over Riddarfjärden to City Hall, Riddarholmen and Gamla stan. Stockholmers come for Sunday walks and…

6. 6
   Skinnarviksberget

   At 53 m above the sea, the highest natural point in the inner city, named after the 17th-century tanners (skinnare) who worked by the shore below. Very popular with Stockholmers for parties and summer picnics, with the view over Riddarfjärden, Norr Mälarstrand, Gamla stan and City Hall. 30 min.

   The highest natural point in central Stockholm, a bare rock where locals picnic and party on summer evenings, looking over Kungsholmen, City Hall and Gamla stan.

Walking directions

More walks in Stockholm

• Gamla stan beyond the crowds: Riddarholmen, Stortorget and the back lanes2.5 km · 2 h 30 min
• East Södermalm: Fjällgatan, Vita bergen and the 18th-century wooden houses2.4 km · 2 h 40 min
• Djurgården: Vasa, Rosendal and the art villas to Blockhusudden5.8 km · 6 h
• Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen: the museum island and the citadel1.3 km · 2 h 40 min
• Östermalm and Strandvägen: Hallwylska, the market hall and the waterfront boulevard2.4 km · 3 h 20 min
• Kungsholmen waterfront: City Hall, Norr Mälarstrand and Rålis to Västerbron3.2 km · 2 h 40 min
• Långholmen and Reimersholme: the prison island and the bathing rocks2.7 km · 2 h 40 min
• Hagaparken: Gustav III's pavilions and the Copper Tents on Brunnsviken2 km · 2 h 30 min
• Vasastan: Strindberg's Blue Tower, the observatory hill and Asplund's library1.6 km · 2 h 10 min
• Skogskyrkogården: Asplund and Lewerentz's Woodland Cemetery (UNESCO)1.6 km · 1 h 40 min
• Tunnelbana art ride: T-Centralen, Kungsträdgården, Rådhuset, Solna centrum, Stadion, Tekniska högskolan14.8 km · 2 h