Hellasgården is a lakeside outdoor recreation center at Ältavägen 101, 131 33 Nacka, in the Källtorpssjön area of Nackareservatet, southeast of central Stockholm. Associated with the Stockholm sports club Hellas, it combines Swedish outdoor traditions with saunas, swimming, forest exercise routes, food, cabins, and conference facilities. Travelers come for an accessible escape from the city: a woodland walk, a lakeside lunch, or the distinctly Swedish combination of a hot sauna and cold-water dip.
What to Expect at Hellasgården
The setting revolves around Källtorpssjön, with recreation buildings close to the water and trails extending into the surrounding forest. This is a working outdoor center rather than a formal landscaped park: expect woodland paths, exposed roots, rocky ground, and open lakeside areas. Walking, trail running, mountain biking, and orienteering are central activities. Start at reception, choose a route suited to your fitness, and return to the lakeshore rather than improvising a long circuit without a map.
The sauna and bathing facilities make Hellasgården appealing beyond summer. Winter swimming takes place through an ice opening when conditions permit; in warmer weather, the lake becomes the main attraction. Seasonal activities include kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, minigolf, and beach volleyball, but availability varies. Sjöcaféet and Restaurang Storstugan provide separate refreshment and meal options. Self-catering cabins and bookable conference facilities support longer stays and group outings, without changing the center’s informal, outdoors-first character.
- Källtorpssjön bathing: Lakeside swimming offers a direct encounter with Stockholm’s freshwater landscape; water temperatures change sharply with the season.
- Sauna and winter dipping: Combine heat with a brief lake immersion, following the bathing facility’s instructions and your own cold-water limits.
- Forest exercise routes: Walking, running, mountain biking, and orienteering use the wooded terrain around the center.
- Seasonal recreation: Minigolf, paddling, and other activities broaden the options beyond hiking; check the current operating status before traveling.
- Two food stops: Sjöcaféet suits a refreshment break, while Storstugan provides a restaurant stop between outdoor activities.
Hellasgården at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Ältavägen 101, 131 33 Nacka, Sweden |
| Neighborhood / Area | Källtorpssjön, Nackareservatet; southeast of central Stockholm |
| Operating Hours | Reception: Monday–Friday 08:45–20:30; Saturday–Sunday 09:15–17:30. Sjöcaféet: Sunday–Friday 09:00–16:00; Saturday 09:00–17:00. Storstugan: Monday–Friday 11:00–16:00; Saturday–Sunday 11:00–17:00. Activity hours vary. |
| Admission / Price Range | Forest and lakeshore access free; sauna, rentals, meals, and accommodation charged separately. Overall budget: $–$$. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 2 to 4 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | SL bus 401 from Slussen to Hellasgården; visitor parking beside the center, with posted payment terms. |
| Official Website & Phone | Hellasgården official website; +46 8 716 39 61 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive on a weekday morning for a walk before lunch, or contact the center ahead for sauna arrangements and group activities. Reception hours are not the operating hours of every facility. Bring a towel, swimwear, drinking water, and shoes with grip; add a warm layer outside summer. Winter ice is not automatically safe for skating or walking, even when an ice-bathing opening is operating. Use designated facilities and follow local safety notices.
Take bus 401 from Slussen, a hub for Stockholm’s red and green metro lines, and alight at Hellasgården; check SL for departures. Drivers should use the center’s parking and read the tariff signs. The central lakeside area is easier to navigate than the forest, but gravel, slopes, roots, and rocky sections make trail accessibility variable; discuss step-free sauna, toilet, and cabin requirements before booking. Within a 5–15-minute walk, pair the Källtorpssjön shoreline with the Nackareservatet woodland trailheads and a meal at Storstugan, rather than adding another car journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Hellasgården open, and when should I visit?
Reception opens at 08:45 on weekdays and 09:15 on weekends, with separate schedules for food and activities. Morning suits walking before lunch; check seasonal activity status before setting out.
Is entry free, and do I need a reservation?
You can explore the surrounding forest and lakeshore without an admission ticket. Sauna sessions, equipment hire, cabins, and organized activities cost extra; consult the official website for prices and booking arrangements.
How much time should I allow?
Allow two to four hours for a walk, a food stop, and one activity. Longer hikes or a combined sauna-and-swim outing can comfortably fill half a day.
Is Hellasgården suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Families can combine short walks with seasonal games and supervised lakeside time; swimming is in natural water. Wheelchair users should arrange a suitable route and confirm individual facility access, since forest trails include uneven surfaces and gradients.
When browsing more top-rated conference center in Stockholm, consider pairing your visit with nearby highlights such as Clarion Hotel Stockholm (5.2 km away) and Clarion Collection Hotel Tapetfabriken (2.8 km away).
