Grottstigen

Useful Information

Location:	Geta 22340. (60.3999810, 19.8308187)
Open:	no restrictions. [2026]
Fee:	free. [2026]
Classification:	Sea Cave Neotectonic Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	Visit Aland (2025): Grottstige 4,7 km leaflet. pdf
Address:	Grottstigen, Tel: +358-.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Grottstigen is not a cave, it is a hiking trail, but there is a reason for the name Grottstigen (The Cave Path). The trail offers breathtaking views and numerous geotopes including caves and stately rock formations. While the site is used for bouldering, the trail is actually a rather easy walking trail. The caves were as hideouts by the locals from the Russians invaders during the Great Northern War (1714–1721).

The main cave, Djupviksgrottan (Djupvik Cave) is quite spectacular, a huge but very low chamber with flat floor and flat ceiling. Obviously it was formed by the erosion of a weaker layer or rock, most likely by the sea. That’s the reason we classified it as a sea cave, while most other caves along the trail are obviously of neotectonic origin. There are dozens of vertical gaps in the rock, forming straight gorges with flat wall, obviously of tectonic origin. Then there are horizontal caves protruding on both sides close to the bottom, obviously the result of a river flowing through the gp and eroding at the bottom. One of the gaps actually still has a small river flowing through. While the trail actually leads to these caves, it does not enter them. Visiting is not difficult or dangerous, but it requires a little surefootedness and fitness. Some GPS coordinates for the most spectacular caves and gorges may be helpful:

60.391295, 19.836395
60.393611, 19.838133
60.394825, 19.840171

The trail is also known as Soltuna Cave Trail, because its starting point is at Soltuna, a Golf Course, restaurant, café and campground located a few hundred meters north of Geta. There is also an outlook tower. This place is at the Getabergen, one of Åland’s highest hills that rises almost 100 m asl. There is a parking lot and the cave trail is signposted. However, the trail is a 4.7 km long round course and there is no infrastructure, sun protection, some water, a snack, good walking shoes and a torch are recommended.