Härjarö

Härjarö is an easily accessible recreational area by Lake Mälaren, offering long, easy‑to‑walk trails through forests and along the water. Visitors can enjoy beautiful views over the lake, access to beaches and swimming spots, varied natural environments, and large, continuous forest areas perfect for hiking. The forest is rich in berries and mushrooms.

There are several rest areas with fire pits, as well as a campsite at Österbyudd with space for many tents. Camping is also allowed throughout the Härjarö Nature Reserve within the limits of the Swedish Right of Public Access (allemansrätten), with the exception of:

• the beach areas — the mowed grass areas at Blåhäll and Äppelnäsgrund
• the entire former camping area, including its mowed grass surfaces.

Groups of more than 20 people wishing to camp at the designated campsite must contact: info@upplandsstiftelsen.se. More information about the campsite is available here.

The western section of the Upplandsleden trail starts/ends here in Härjarö. You can also hike a 12 km loop of the Upplandsleden that takes you through the entire reserve, passing beaches and barbecue areas. Härjarö is also home to two of Uppland’s “hidden gems in nature”: Blåhäll and Äppelnäsgrund, both of which are swimming spots. Blåhäll is slightly larger and easily accessible in the southern part of the reserve. Äppelnäsgrund is reached via a 1 km forest path in the northern part of the area.

At Blåhäll there are four motorhome parking spots. Parking is along the row of birch trees. Spots are booked and paid for via: www.boka.se/upplandsstiftelsen. The spots are plowed in winter but not sanded.

The shores are generally free of reeds and consist largely of flat, rocky moraine and occasional bare bedrock outcrops. Moose, roe deer, and foxes inhabit the area, along with several nesting bird species, including osprey. By the shore of Lake Mälaren, next to a large apple orchard, lies Härjarö Manor. The manor is surrounded by an older agricultural landscape with open fields and leafy field islets and edges. Härjarö is rich in ancient remains, and according to legend, the island was owned in the 9th century by Hergeir, the chieftain of Birka.

West of Härjarö cape lie the bird‑rich islands of Skaftskär, Kattan, and Kattrumpan, where landing is prohibited during the nesting season, from April 1 to July 15.

In planted coniferous stands, small‑scale logging is carried out regularly. This gradually replaces the planted conifer forests with naturally regenerated mixed forest. The goal is to create more varied woodlands that benefit both outdoor recreation and biodiversity. Large parts of the forest are also left for natural development. Trails are kept clear, and firewood is replenished at the fire pits.

The area around the manor, as well as the campsite, is privately owned and not managed by Upplandsstiftelsen.

• Area: The reserve covers 1,225 hectares, of which 537 hectares are land.
• Purpose: To preserve the area’s conditions for outdoor recreation by maintaining the agricultural landscape, practicing modified forestry, and developing the area with facilities such as beaches and hiking trails.
• Services & Information: Several parking areas, fire pits, rest areas, swimming spots, trails, Upplandsleden, information signs, campsite with tenting opportunities, dry toilets.
• Landowners: Upplandsstiftelsen, Trögds Häradsallmänning, private landowners.
• Manager: Upplandsstiftelsen.
• Protection status: Nature Reserve.
• Regulations: See the regulations on the County Administrative Board’s page for Härjarö.