Tyresta National Park

'Tyresta National Park] (Tyresta nationalpark) is a national park on Södertörn island about 20 km south-east of Stockholm. It is known for its old-growth forest, small lakes and walking trails, and is a popular day trip for people from the capital. The park lies within the larger Tyresta nature reserve, which is partly covered by younger forest and has forest roads and unmarked paths.

Tyresta lies in the municipality of Haninge. Part of the forest has been left to develop without forestry for centuries and contains very old pines. A large forest fire in the area is one of the events that shaped the landscape of the park today, and the burned area can be seen on the trails near Långsjön.

The park is managed by the Tyresta Forest Foundation (Stiftelsen Tyrestaskogen). Like all Swedish national parks, it has no entrance fee, but parking at the main entrance is paid.

In a national park you must follow the park's rules in addition to the right of public access. Among other things, plants must not be picked, trails must not be marked with ribbons, and motor vehicles are not allowed. Groups of more than 100 people must notify the naturum in advance. Check the current rules on the park's official page.

The visitor centre is the naturum ("National Parks House") at the main entrance in Tyresta village. It has maps, information about trails and an exhibition about all of Sweden's national parks. There are also information boards at the smaller entrances.

• Park website

The park is only about 20 km from central Stockholm, and has five entrances. The main entrance is in Tyresta village (Tyresta by), in the southern part of the park.

Public transport is run by SL (Stockholm public transport); use the journey planner with "Tyresta by" as the destination.

• Bus 834 runs from Haninge (the commuter train station) to the main entrance, stop Tyresta by.
• Buses 807 and 809 run from Gullmarsplan to Svartbäcken, from where it is about a 3 km walk to the main entrance.
• Bus 873 serves the Nyfors entrance in the north-west.

From Stockholm, take road 73 towards Nynäshamn and turn off towards Brandbergen (road 260), then follow the signs for the national park. There is a paid car park at the main entrance, including spaces for visitors with reduced mobility and for motorhomes.

If you travel by taxi, use the address Tyresta by 1, Naturum Nationalparkernas hus.

The other entrances are Stensjödal, Brakmaren, Storängen/Långsjön and Höjden. They are most easily reached by car or bicycle. The Höjden entrance is reached by driving or cycling about 4 km along Bondvägen from Gudöbroleden (road 260), and is next to the Sörmlandsleden trail.

There is no public transport inside the park. You get around on foot along marked trails. The roads inside the park are not ploughed or sanded in winter.

The main entrance is accessible to most visitors, including those in wheelchairs. A concrete path leads from the entrance across a meadow to the forest edge, and from there a boardwalk leads to a small gathering place beside the Bylsjöbäcken stream. The naturum, Tyresta Farm, the café and nearby fireplaces have accessible toilets and parking.

• Naturum Nationalparkernas hus (National Parks House) (Tyresta visitor centre), Tyresta by 1 (In Tyresta village, main entrance of the park). The visitor centre of the park, with an exhibition about all of Sweden's national parks, a shop selling maps, souvenirs and literature, and information about trails and guided tours. Facilities include a toilet. (updated Nov 2026)
• Tyresta Farm (Tyresta gård), Tyresta village (near the naturum). A model farm with old native animal breeds, next to a bird tower and adventure trails for children. (updated Nov 2026)
• Old-growth forest (reached by the trails from Tyresta village). The heart of the park, with very old pines and a quiet, wild feeling that is rare so close to a capital city. (updated Nov 2026)
• Cold-water springs (on the Sörmlandsleden trail, at the border between the national park and the nature reserve, about 3 km from the village). Natural cold-water springs along the trail. (updated Nov 2026)

Several trails start from Tyresta village. Maps are available at the naturum.

• Urskogsstigen (2.5 km). A short loop through the old-growth forest with information boards.
• Tjäderstigen (1 km). A short trail with interactive stations, suitable for children.
• Sörmlandsleden, section 3 (Tyresta village – Nyfors, 11 km, orange markings). Passes the lakes Bylsjön and Årsjön, where there are fireplaces and rest areas. Both Tyresta village and Nyfors have public transport connections, so the section can be walked one way. The first part passes through younger broad-leaved forest. The Sörmlandsleden also leads north towards Alby and Björkhagen.
• Pilgrim trail. A trail with seven meditation posts, partly in the nature reserve outside the park. It starts and ends near the Pilgrimscentrum by Tyresö Church and passes Nyfors and Albysjön lake.

The naturum arranges guided tours during the year. Ask at the naturum or check the park's website for current times.

There are fireplaces and rest cabins at the main entrance and a tent site. Fires are allowed only at designated fireplaces, and bans may apply in dry periods. See also the general information on camping and fire rules in the Swedish national parks article.

The naturum has a shop selling maps, souvenirs and literature about Tyresta and Sweden's national parks.

• Café at Tyresta village, Tyresta village (at the main entrance). A café in the village. Facilities for visitors, including toilets, are nearby. (updated Nov 2026)

Outside the village there is nowhere to buy food in the park, so bring what you need. Please carry out all your rubbish.

There is no regular accommodation in the park itself. There is a tent site and a number of rest cabins and fireplaces near the main entrance. Check the park's official page for the current rules on camping. Hotels and other accommodation are available in Stockholm and nearby towns.

• In summer there are mosquitoes and ticks in the forest. Cover up and check yourself after a walk.
• Outside the main trails there are many unmarked forest paths, so bring a map and compass if you leave the marked trails, particularly in the northern nature reserve.
• Check for fire bans before lighting a fire. Never light a fire outside a designated fireplace in the park.

• Stockholm — the capital, about 20 km north-west.