30 km south of Linköping lies Trollegater, a natural reserve with caves formed as the ice retreated at the end of the last ice age. The Swedish name translates to “troll roads” and the ground is crisscrossed by cracks resembling city streets. Here and there dark cold openings lead into caves ready to be explored by well prepared adventurers.
Voices from below
We were not well prepared. Visiting Trollegater was a chance opportunity, a detour on our way back to Stockholm after visiting Linköping. The guide recommended flashlights and hardhats, we had our phones, high spirits and our adventurous family dog.
On a beautiful Sunday in June, we made our way to the parking lot and from there the short walk to the caves.
Immediately we heard voices from underground, alas it was not trolls but fellow explorers and better prepared than we. As we ventured into the first cave, we quickly learned that the ill-heeded advice was indeed good advice as I bumped my head to the ceiling almost immediately. However, we managed to explore the largest of the six caves all five (wife, daughter, son, dog and me) with just two phones as flashlights.
We were not brave enough to meet the challenge of crawling through the narrow opening that connects the two main passageways. Still we were proud of making it down both legs of the cave without getting stuck, permanently injured, or eaten by trolls.
A crawl in the park
High on adrenaline from completing the first quest, we then explored the area further on foot. Walking along the “troll roads”, climbing into the corridors, and jumping over narrow gaps. We entered a second cave, named the Horseshoe. ‘We’ in this case being the two bravest members of the family. Wife played the “look after dog” card and I played the “someone needs to hold the light” card.
The caves are cold and damp. The floor and the ceiling is uneven with many rocks protruding. You can stand upright as a grown man here and there but by far everywhere. This is indeed more of a dungeon crawl than a walk in the park.
Worth a detour
Trollegater is well worth a detour if you are in the vicinity of Linköping. Be prepared or bump your head. This is not a fun park/tivoli, or well developed local sight. It’s a natural wonder in the middle of Swedish wilderness. Unfortunately, all trolls had long since vacated the area. Or perhaps they were just hiding in the forest waiting to return at nightfall and eating the unfortunate souls who got lost or caught in one of their traps.
Exploring the underground was cool, but I also found the formations excellent for fun compositions. Hereby shared as well as inspiration for a family day trip.
