Stendörren nature reserve - with suspension bridges between islands

Stendörren Nature Reserve is a magical coastal paradise located between Nyköping and Trosa. The water is crystal clear and shimmering green, and you get from island to island via cool suspension bridges. Perhaps this is the most beautiful nature reserve we have ever visited!

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Stendörren nature reserve

The Stendörren Nature Reserve offers archipelago nature along the east coast of Sweden. To reach some of the islands, even without a boat, bridges have been built.

The Stendörren nature reserve is located on the east coast, about 10 kilometres south of Stockholm, and belongs to Nyköping municipality.

Suspension bridges to reach islands

What is special about Stendörren Nature Reserve is the suspension bridges. There are four suspension bridges in total, which go to Stora Krokholmen and Äspskär. To reach the other islands you need a boat.

Äspskär and Stora Krokholmen

If we had parked at the first car park, we would have naturally arrived at Äspskär. Instead, we chose to park at the second car park, and then walked out towards Stora Krokholmen.

So incredibly beautiful! The water looks so clean and alive, and the environment is almost paradise-like. We decided to take a photo of us with a tripod and self-timer. Peter had time almost put his glasses on before the trigger went off, haha.

But seriously, look at the pictures! I tried to delete some pictures, but it was hard. It was so amazingly beautiful everywhere!

You can't stay overnight in the reserve (unless you book a cabin) but you can easily spend a whole day here. On a sunny day, it's great to come here with comfortable hiking clothes and a packed lunch.

Wildlife at Stendörren Nature Reserve

At Stendörren Nature Reserve there are plenty of different birds. Here you can see seabirds such as terns, eiders and grey gulls, and you can also look for sea eagles. The ones who posed most willingly for a photo were some barnacle geese.

Other animals of interest include the river lamprey and river mussel, which live in rivers and streams. These species are displayed as sculptures in the reserve, and similar endangered species sculptures can be found at six other sites.

Nature centre Stendörren

At Naturum Stendörren you can learn more about the nature, environment and cultural history of the Baltic Sea and the archipelago. Of course, we wanted to know more and took the path that led here.

The building was not open when we were here - it is open during the summer - but there was plenty of information on the outside and open toilets.

The waterfront environment is also extremely charming. Here you can see old boats and boathouses, and look at the cottages on the other side of the water. At the Stendörren passage, King Valdemar's sailing route passes, which was very important in the Middle Ages. The narrow strait that was once called "Stendor strait" is located between the mainland and the island of Krampö.

Photogenic house

You can also see the so-called 'kerosene house'. This small black and white striped tower used to store kerosene for the lighthouses in the area. Today there is no kerosene to store, but the little house has become a famous landmark.

What to do in the Stendörren Nature Reserve

The rules for overnight stays in Stendörren Nature Reserve are restrictive. By boat, you can stay in the same place for a maximum of two days, tents are only allowed in the parts of the reserve that are south of the fairway and cannot be reached on foot, and overnight stays in motorhomes or caravans are prohibited. Windbreaks and shelters are not for overnight stays.

However, Naturum Stendörren offers two small cabins for rent on an island a few hundred metres from the mainland. The cottages are simple, without electricity and running water, and are suitable for those who want to live simply in nature for a week. Cooking is done on an iron stove and a rowing boat is included in the rent.

You can hike in the nature reserve and barbecue at designated sites. On the hill above Naturum there is a new observation tower for the 2021 summer season. You can also rent a kayak near the reserve. At Naturum we also saw a sign about archipelago traffic.

Where can you stay with your campervan?

It is therefore not permitted to stay overnight with a motorhome in the nature reserve. On the way into the reserve, however, there was a sign about a parking space and we thought about checking it out, but we didn't.

Instead, we stayed at an old favourite place, namely the car park in Trosa. Here you have to pay a small fee, but you also have access to all the desired services and good walking distance into town.

More to see and do in the vicinity of Stendörren Nature Reserve

Stendörren Nature Reserve is located between Nyköping and Trosa. I Nyköping you can check out Nyköpingshus, and also Nynäs Castle and Öster Malma Castle. In addition, the Trosa an incredibly charming little town with picturesque houses, small boats and cosy cafés. You'll find even more tips below.

Have you visited the Stendörren nature reserve?

Have you visited the Stendörren nature reserve? How was your experience? Do you have any other tips in the neighbourhood?

Facts about the Stendörren nature reserve

Address: 611 99 Tystberga
Size: 923 hectares
Formation: 1972
Municipality: Nyköping
Trustee: County Council
County: Södermanland
More info: You can read more at County Council.

Animals and nature in the Stendörren nature reserve

Plants: Coastal tansy, yellow clover, goosegrass, sea creeper, water vole, chives, yellow buttercup, motherwort and others.
Mammals: Grey seal and others.
Birds: Common tern, eider, grey gull, great skua, shore cat, sea eagle and others.
Other animals: Earwigs, lionfish, seaweed snakes and others.

Services at Stendörren Nature Reserve

Fireplace: Elderly resting places with firewood are available.
Toilets: Toilets are available at Naturum.
Naturum: The Naturum provides information and sometimes organises activities. Naturum is open between May and September. During the summer there are also coffee breaks at Bergs gård.

ACCESSIBILITY AT Stendörren Nature Reserve

Leader: An adapted path for wheelchairs is available.
Naturum: Wheelchair and pram accessibility in the naturum's surroundings is good.

ACTIVITIES in the Stendörren nature reserve

Hiking/walking: There are several different hiking trails to follow.
Bada: You can swim from rocks.
Grilling: Barbecues are available in the designated barbecue areas.
Check the view: There is a newly built viewing tower.
Kayaking: Hälgö Kajak is located near the Stendörren nature reserve, and rents both kayaks and Stand Up Paddle boards.
Renting a cottage: During the summer you can rent a simple cottage.

Rules in the Stendörren nature reserve

Within the reserve, it is forbidden to:

destroying or damaging fixed natural objects or surface formations
use a musical instrument, tape recorder, music system or similar in a disruptive manner
disturbing wildlife, for example by climbing trees, or killing animals.
bring a dog or other pet that is not on a leash or kept in a cage
making an open fire in a place other than a specially prepared area breaking twigs, felling or otherwise damaging vegetation
anchoring a boat on the same shore for more than two consecutive days
camping for more than two days in the same place (camping is prohibited on the mainland and the islands north of the inner archipelago road in the Stendörren nature reserve).
organising competitions or camp activities
travelling with, parking or setting up a caravan
landing by airplane
travelling by motor vehicle or hydrocopter (motor vehicle traffic is allowed on designated roads).
discharge waste water, oil or other chemical substances that could damage the environment.

Without the county council's authorisation, you can't either:

engage in sales or other activities for commercial purposes
carry out scientific research that may result in damage or other adverse effects on plant or animal life.

Find the Stendörren nature reserve

Car: Follow the E4 motorway, exit at Vagnhärad or Tystberga and take road 219 towards Studsvik/Stendörren. Follow the signs for Stendörren.
Bus: Take bus 554 from Nyköping or Trosa to Stendörren. Walk about 4 kilometres to reach the reserve.

All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

READ MORE: Things to do in Södermanland - sights and experiences

Helena

27 April 2021 6:00

Sweden

outdoor life, Motorhome holidays Sweden, nature, Södermanland, unique nature

Helena

Administrator

31 Comments

Add yours →

Ruth in Virginia says:

Disturbingly beautiful EVERYWHERE!
And your photos are beautiful. Think how wonderful it is
there is to see without having to drive too many hours...
The weather was like on order. 🙂

Bedtime - I hope I can dream of blue water,
blue sky, green forest, beautiful sunshine, etc.

27 April 2021 - 6:10

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you like our photos Ruth! Really grateful to photograph here, incredibly beautiful environment!!!
  
  27 April 2021 - 13:57
  
  Reply
4000mil says:

Oh, we are also heading there in a couple of weeks. On the way to or from Öland, depending on when we have time and the weather is right. Looks as wonderful in your pictures as in the others I have seen!

27 April 2021 - 7:15

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Really worth a visit! Incredibly beautiful nature!
  
  27 April 2021 - 13:58
  
  Reply
Åsa at husbilsresa.se says:

Really nice! It must be added to the wish list! And you have both beautiful pictures and inspiring text 🤗.

27 April 2021 - 7:31

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you liked the post! The nature reserve is really worth visiting!!!
  
  27 April 2021 - 13:59
  
  Reply
  - Lisa says:
    
    Such nice pictures - a place we usually visit every summer. Tip - Femöre is also very beautiful.
    
    27 April 2021 - 18:45
    
    Reply
Travelsis says:

Oh so nice😍💚, I want to go there. Magical pictures you offer😍.

27 April 2021 - 8:16

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you very much! Great place!
  
  27 April 2021 - 13:59
  
  Reply
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

Definitely the most beautiful nature reserve. We were there last summer and fell in love. Very nice pictures !

27 April 2021 - 8:54

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you!!! Yes, I think I saw your post from there!!! Such a nice place! 🙂
  
  27 April 2021 - 14:00
  
  Reply
Ditte says:

Great pictures from that really do the Stone Door justice. A big favourite with us too. We have sailed here several times and it is then fine to add a couple of nights or lie "on the shore" at anchor.

27 April 2021 - 9:11

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thanks, glad you like the pictures! Must be nice to come here by boat!!!
  
  27 April 2021 - 14:01
  
  Reply
Ama de casa says:

Wow! So beautiful and incredibly scenic! Wonderful pictures, and as being a bridge fetishist, I absolutely love the suspension bridges 🙂.

Then... Not that I want to be like that, but... Canada geese are actually barnacle geese. Ooops! Now I was like that anyway 😉.

Have fun!

27 April 2021 - 9:11

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Oh dear, I always get those birds mixed up! How can you tell the difference? Change immediately! Right should be right! Thank you 🙂
  
  27 April 2021 - 14:02
  
  Reply
  - Ama de casa says:
    
    The white-cheeked ones are smaller, more black and white and have larger white cheek patches. Canada geese are larger, more brownish and have smaller cheek patches.
    
    28 April 2021 - 9:03
    
    Reply
    - Comment by post author
      
      Helena says:
      
      Ah thanks! Think we saw a white-cheeked today again. Ok not quite sure, but learning slowly 😉 .
      
      29 April 2021 - 9:50
      
      Reply
Paulina says:

Wow so nice! Will be keen to go there this summer 😍

27 April 2021 - 9:30

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Recommended! 🙂
  
  27 April 2021 - 14:03
  
  Reply
bmlarstravellingblog says:

What a wonderful nature reserve! We have talked about Östergötland and Södermanland for a motorhome trip and then this will be an obvious stop for us who love hiking in beautiful nature, preferably near water....

27 April 2021 - 9:40

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  This is a nice stop! You will like Stendörren! 🙂
  
  27 April 2021 - 14:04
  
  Reply
JoY says:

Can only agree, it is very nice there. So wonderful with the suspension bridges, feels like you get far out into the coast. We spent the night at Dragviks Husvagnsklubb, which had some pitches, was certainly the sign that you passed.

27 April 2021 - 10:11

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, it is nice with the suspension bridges! Interesting with the caravan club's parking spaces, maybe it was that sign we saw!
  
  27 April 2021 - 14:06
  
  Reply
Role o Carina says:

Looks nice there, Trosa we have been at for a long time with our 1st Motorhome!
Maybe invest in a trip there in the future again then 🙂 .

Take care.....

27 April 2021 - 10:15

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The nature reserve is very nice, and also Trosa! 🙂
  
  27 April 2021 - 14:06
  
  Reply
BP says:

I didn't even know Stendörren's nature reserve existed, but guuuuuu how beautiful it is. A little extra cool with the suspension bridge there. Liked very much. Fantastically nice pictures. So hungry I get ...

27 April 2021 - 19:02

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It is really amazingly beautiful, and there are several nice suspension bridges 🙂.
  
  29 April 2021 - 9:51
  
  Reply
Monica says:

I have been there many times. But with a sailboat so overnight stays are no problem. I agree that it is very beautiful with nice archipelago nature. A little different perspective from those who come by boat: normally you always keep an appropriate distance from other boats and do not run around among other people's bath towels and picnic food on the rocks. But since you have access from the land side, there are many, far too many in fact, who do not have the "boat habits" with them. They hoot and holler, let the kids (and sometimes dogs) loose by the water, settle down a metre away from the boating families and cork up their beer as if it were in one of the Stockholm parks.

It was completely deserted in your pictures - a hot summer day in the middle of the holidays is crowded and it is less fun, I can say. More than once we have weighed anchor and left!

29 April 2021 - 8:06

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It sounds great to come by boat! But interesting to hear how it can be in the summer, with lots of people. The disadvantage in the low season is that it is colder, but the advantage is that it is very quiet. We were not alone, but it was very quiet. Met a few couples on the trails.
  
  29 April 2021 - 9:52
  
  Reply
Husis blog says:

It was a really nice place and you captured it well in the picture. I really understand that it was difficult to remove any picture. This part of Sweden is a black spot for my owners as they have not been driving there at all. But now it is in the "tip book" so who knows what happens in the future.
Happy May Day, all the best!

30 April 2021 - 16:33

Reply
Lena - good for the soul says:

But wow! I have heard many positive things about Stendörren, but I had not realised it was so nice! I really hope to get there one day.

Hug Lena

03 May 2021 - 5:48

Reply

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Stendörren nature reserve - with suspension bridges between islands

Stendörren nature reserve

Suspension bridges to reach islands

Äspskär and Stora Krokholmen

Wildlife at Stendörren Nature Reserve

Nature centre Stendörren

Photogenic house

What to do in the Stendörren Nature Reserve

Where can you stay with your campervan?

More to see and do in the vicinity of Stendörren Nature Reserve

Have you visited the Stendörren nature reserve?

Facts about the Stendörren nature reserve

Animals and nature in the Stendörren nature reserve

Services at Stendörren Nature Reserve

ACCESSIBILITY AT Stendörren Nature Reserve

ACTIVITIES in the Stendörren nature reserve

Rules in the Stendörren nature reserve

Find the Stendörren nature reserve

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31 Comments

Ruth in Virginia says:

Helena says:

4000mil says:

Helena says:

Åsa at husbilsresa.se says:

Helena says:

Lisa says:

Travelsis says:

Helena says:

Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Paulina says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

JoY says:

Helena says:

Role o Carina says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Monica says:

Helena says:

Husis blog says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

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