Haninge among Archipelago Islands, Nature and History

The municipality of Haninge has one national park, 21 nature reserves and several other protected areas. Geographically, it includes Dalarö, Ornö, Västerhaninge, Tungelsta, Handen, Haninge, Utö, Österhaninge, Vendelsö and Muskö.

Nature and Archipelago

Huvudskär Nature Reserve comprises an archipelago area with around 200 islands and skerries. Sundby Nature Reserve encompasses the southern part of Ornö and nearly 30 smaller islands. On Gålö, hiking trails pass through pastureland, coastal meadows, forests and coastal landscapes.

Starting at Sundby gård, an easy circular trail of just over 6 kilometres runs through Sundby Nature Reserve. In Häringe-Hammersta Nature Reserve, hiking trails lead around the peninsula. On the western side of Fruberget lies Frugrottan Cave, also known as Frubergsgrottan; it is the best-known of several caves there.

The hiking trail from Skälåker to Havtornsudd follows the shore for much of its length. Havtornsudd is suitable for observing migrating seabirds in early spring. Huvudholmen Nature Reserve is most easily reached by private boat.

Hiking and Island Trails

The Sörmlandsleden trail passes through Haninge Municipality; Stage 4 begins at Tyresta by and ends at Rudans gård. The Rudan recreational area can be reached by commuter train to Handen station and then directly via the southern exit.

Utö can be reached year-round by regular archipelago boats, most easily via Årsta brygga, which can be reached from Västerhaninge by bus. Utö has hiking trails and paths leading to cliffs and sandy beaches; bicycles can also be rented. At Sundby gård, you can purchase a fishing permit for fishing in Nybysjön in the reserve.

Maritime Sites and Art

There are around 30 registered shipwrecks in the Dalarö area, dating from the 17th to the 20th century. Diving in the Dalarö shipwreck area must be done from a boat; before each dive, a diving operator applies through Dalarö Dykpark for permission to moor at the buoy.

Three representative wrecks in the Dalarö shipwreck area have been made accessible as part of the Dalarö skeppsvraksområden concept. Waxholmsbolaget serves Huvudskär during the summer season. Kyrkviken on Ornö has a museum, a library, guest boat facilities and a bicycle rental service. The Haninge Art Map provides guidance for self-guided art walks.

History and Culture

Utö’s historic Gruvby contains traces of medieval iron mining, historic buildings and Sweden’s oldest preserved windmill. The Grytholmen open-air museum on Muskö comprises cottages, a smithy, a boathouse, boats and a crofter’s cottage.

Jordbrogravfältet is one of Sweden’s largest Iron Age burial grounds and contains 800 known graves. Stenhuset is the ruin of Sundby’s first manor house, which was burned down by the Russians in 1719. Hammerstahus is a castle ruin dating from the 14th century.

Near Hässelmara on Ornö, there is a Bronze Age burial ground. Visible traces of peat extraction from the First and Second World Wars remain in Slätmossen Nature Park. Stora Sandböte has an old settlement with buildings of cultural and historical value.

A fishing hut from the 18th century on Stora Sandböte was rebuilt after a fire in 2001 using original drawings and traditional methods, and converted into a museum.

For the main travel overview: Stockholm.