Hjälstaviken
En av flera spänger i Hjälstaviken
Stora Parnassen
Hjälstaviken
Stora Parnassen
Kanadagäss

Hjälstaviken

Name: Hjälstaviken
Rating: 4.3

Nature reserve
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near parking
Near toilet

4.2624777183600715 of 5 stars

4.3 See reviews

County: Uppsala län

Actions

Currently

Spången mellan Parnassen och Jungfrulunden avstängd

Spången mellan Parnassen och Jungfrulunden renoveras under hösten 2026. Arbetet pågår från den 14 september till och med den 30 november och genomförs etappvis. Under pågående arbete är spången avstängd på vardagar kl. 07.00–17.00. På kvällar och helger är spången öppen som vanligt.

Tillfälliga övergångar kan förekomma. Visa hänsyn, följ skyltning och iaktta försiktighet när ni passerar arbetsområdet.

Observera: Spången mellan Jungfrulunden och gömslet berörs inte av entreprenaden och är öppen som vanligt under hela renoveringsperioden.

Tack för visad hänsyn!

För mer information, se länsstyrelsens hemsida.

Description

Welcome to one of central Sweden's best birdwatching locations! Hjälstaviken is a shallow lake surrounded by reeds and meadows with grazing animals. Visit one of the bird towers on an early spring morning and listen to the birds in the reeds, in the air and on the water. Most birds are seen during the spring and fall migration periods, but Hjälstaviken is well worth a visit any time of year.

In the south-east corner, at the outlet of Hjälstaviken, there is a hide. Here you can get really close to the bird life in the reeds and on the water. The parking lot is located at Jungfrulunden, 1.2 km from the hide. From here you walk along a gravel road, a paved footpath and finally along a wide footbridge through the reeds. There is a disabled parking lot where the paved footpath begins. From the parking lot it is just over 600 m to the hide. Both the footpath and the footbridge are accessible with prams and wheelchairs.

Also on the west side, from the parking lot at Hårby, there is a paved walkway to a bird tower. The walk to the tower is 1.2 km long and along the way there are small stations with tasks for children.

In the southern part of the nature reserve is Stora Parnassen. It is a leafy area that was previously part of Ekolsund Castle Park. Here you step under the canopy of deciduous trees. In spring, the ground is covered with yellow and white willows. A kilometer-long path takes you through the area, over to a viewpoint and back.

A longer trail, 8 km long, goes around the entire Hjälstaviken and passes both Parnassen, the hide, the view on Kvarnberget, the barbecue area in the northern part and the bird tower. Stick to the hiking trail. Large parts of Hjälstaviken's wetlands are a bird protection area with a ban on access between April 1 and August 15. During this time you may only pass the area on the path.

Remember that special rules apply in nature reserves, click on the link to the regulations to read more.

Services: Parking lots, dry toilets, bird tower, hide, paths, trails, picnic areas, fireplace in the northern part.

Manager: County Administrative Board

Weather forecast (at 12:00)

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Activities And Facilities

Accessibility

Year of protection: 1982, new decision 2016

Area: 808 ha

Municipality: Enköping, Håbo

Landowners: State, private

Administrator: County Administrative Board in Uppsala County

Type of protection: Nature reserve, Natura 2000

The regional bus stops at the Ekolsunds gård stop. From here it is about 1.5 km to Stora Parnassen. Timetables can be found at: www.ul.se

The Hjälstaviken nature reserve is located 17 km east of Enköping and 25 km southwest of Uppsala. There are several parking lots in the reserve.

By car: From Litslena church, the intersection of roads 55 and 263, drive east along road 263. To get to the bird tower in Hårby, turn off towards Hjälsta just before Ekolsund Castle. Then follow the signs for the bird tower.

You can reach the parking lot at Stora Parnassen from road 263. Turn in where there are signs for the nature reserve, just east of Ekolsund Castle.

To get to the hide and Kvarnberget, drive past the entrance to the parking lot at Parnassen and take the next road to the left, where there are signs for Hjälstavik and the Nature Reserve.

In the reserve it is forbidden to:

dig, hoe or otherwise damage the soil surface
break branches, cut down or otherwise damage living or dead trees or bushes
dig up plants,
collect or remove insects or other invertebrates without the permission of the County Administrative Board
deliberately disturb wildlife,
during the period April 1 to August 15, stay within area marked on decision map Pdf, 2.6 MB. in Appendix 6, except for staying on the path and visitor facilities designated by the County Administrative Board,
make a fire or barbecue other than in a place designated by the County Administrative Board,
bring an unleashed dog or other loose pet,
fishing,
drive a motorized vehicle except for driving on designated roads and parking spaces,
park a motorized vehicle, caravan or trailer or similar except temporarily in a designated parking space,
drive a boat, canoe, kayak or other watercraft north of the public road at Svannäs,
organize orientation controls or marked trails or set up permanent markings, signs or the like,
horseback riding
camping with the exception of camping within areas marked on decision map Pdf, 2.6 MB. in Appendix 6.