Älta between lakes, nature and discoveries

Älta combines lakes, nature reserves and a variety of activities with cultural and historical discoveries. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Älta can tailor their stay entirely to their own interests: with days spent swimming at various bodies of water, walks through diverse landscapes, canoe trips or an excursion to explore art and regional history.

Lakes, bathing spots and nature experiences

Water is one of the defining experiences in Älta. Ältasjön is a bathing lake and also a lake for fishing. It is also a special place for birdwatching: numerous breeding species and migratory birds resting during the migration period make the lake interesting for visitors interested in nature. The western part of Ältasjön and its surroundings belong to Flaten Nature Reserve.

There are a total of six municipal bathing spots in Älta. One of them is Ältabadet, a gently sloping, accessibility-adapted beach with a fixed ramp and sandy shore. The beach can be reached by buses 401, 821 or 840 to Älta Gård; from there, it is approximately a 400-metre walk. The landscaped Strålsjöbadet bathing area is also located in the northern part of Strålsjön.

The landscape can also be explored on walks. In Älta mosse-Strålsjön Nature Reserve, bogland, lake, deciduous swamp forest, deciduous forest, spruce forest and a stately pine forest on rocky ground alternate with one another. There are pleasant walking trails there. Due to its diverse vegetation, Nackareservatet has the highest biodiversity of all nature reserves in Nacka.

Hiking, paddling and active days

For longer excursions, the Sörmlandsleden trail runs through Nackareservatet, through the forests south of Söderbysjön and through the area around Ulvsjön. On the eastern side of Strålsjön, it passes Strålsjön-Erstavik Nature Reserve. Along the ridge of a sandy and gravelly glacial moraine ridge in Strålsjön-Erstavik Nature Reserve lie several settlement sites from the Stone Age. In this way, moving through the landscape is combined with a glimpse into the region's early history.

A canoe route runs from Dammtorpsjön through Ältasjön and onwards via Drevviken to the sea. Those who want to combine different daily rhythms can plan such a water route alongside shorter walks or a day at the beach. For sporting activities, Ältadalen Activity Park offers large grassy areas and a multi-purpose sports field for football and field hockey. Älta idrottsplats has a parkour area and a motor skills course. The outdoor gym at Älta IP is designed as a log fitness course with fixed weights and an obstacle course and is located on a sports field. Hedvigslund-Utegym is situated in a park setting.

Culture and local history

Älta also offers rewarding topics for a varied stay away from the lakes and forests. The cultural and historical walk provides interesting information about Älta gård, the crofts in Älta, glacial potholes and Gula Faran. Peat was extracted in Älta mosse and dried near the Lovisedal croft. Those who want to include art in their stay can explore the art promenade in Älta. In Älta kyrka, behind the altar, there is a bay window with a glass painting by Lars Abrahamsson.

Kulturhuset Älta offers courses for children, young people and adults. It also hosts various activities organised by non-profit associations, private individuals and professional operators. The reception is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 19:00 and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00; it is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Which accommodation suits your stay?

When choosing a holiday apartment in Älta, you can first decide which experiences should be the focus of your trip. For a stay centred around water, bathing spots, Ältasjön and the canoe route provide important reference points. Those interested in nature can focus on the protected areas and the different forest and bog landscapes. If you want movement and discoveries to go hand in hand, the Sörmlandsleden trail, the cultural and historical walk and the activities at Kulturhuset Älta complement your stay. For other destinations in the surrounding area, you can also see Nacka and Saltsjöbaden.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Nacka.