Tjurpannan Nature Reserve – hiking, cliffs and sea

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | Tjurpannan Nature Reserve is located just north of Grebbestad in Bohuslän. Here, open cliffs meet the Skagerrak, while small coves, heather heaths and an idyllic natural harbor hide between the hills. We took the camper here for an easy hike along one of the Bohuslän's most exposed stretches of coast.

Tjurpannan nature reserve

We took the campervan to Tjurpannan and set out on foot among the cliffs. It was an easy hike with sea views, a small natural harbour and several stops where we simply sat down and enjoyed the view.

Tjurpannan is located on the Havstenssund peninsula, about seven kilometers northwest of central Grebbestad. The nature reserve was established in 1968 and consists of an open heath and hill landscape with rocky beaches, coves and unobstructed views of the sea.

The special thing about Tjurpannan is that there is no protective outer archipelago outside. The sea is open to the west and the place can therefore be both calm and peaceful one day and quite dramatic when the wind picks up. For sailors, the passage outside Tjurpannan has been notorious for generations. For those of us who come by land, the same exposed location is instead a big part of the experience.

Hiking in Tjurpannan Nature Reserve

You don't need to be an advanced hiker to discover Tjurpannan. The area is relatively easy to walk and there are paths that lead out to the sea, the cliffs and the different parts of the nature reserve.

We started at the parking lot where there is information and a map of the area. Then we set off on what we first called a hike and after a while began to call it a walk.

There are marked trails, but of course we managed to follow one color for a while and then change to another. It didn't really matter. Tjurpannan is one of those places where the path through the landscape itself is a big part of the experience.

How far can you hike on Tjurpannan?

Tjurpannan is not a huge nature reserve and is therefore suitable even if you only have a few hours at your disposal. The peninsula itself is about one kilometer from north to south and it is possible to do both shorter walks and longer rounds through the area.

Allow at least a couple of hours if you want to walk at a leisurely pace, take photos and stay out on the rocks. If you also want to swim, have a coffee or explore more of the coves, you can easily spend much longer here.

Is it difficult to hike on Tjurpannan?

The terrain is easy to walk on in many places, but when you leave the gravel roads and clear paths, uneven rocks and natural ground await. Good shoes are therefore an advantage even if you are not planning a long hike.

In strong winds and wet weather, extra caution is needed out on the rocks. The exposed location of Tjurpannan is part of the charm, but the sea should be treated with respect.

On the way down to the natural harbor

On our way through the reserve, we walked through an open and green landscape down to a small natural harbor. We also had fantastic weather, which gave us a much calmer version of Tjurpannan than the place that is notorious for wind and rough seas.

The contrast is fascinating. The sea here can be dramatic and wild, but during our visit it was almost completely still.

Naturhamnen – our favorite at Tjurpannan

After a short walk we arrived at the small natural harbor, and we stayed here for a while. Rocks and clouds were reflected in the still water, small boats bobbed at the piers and lobster pots were stacked in rows. It felt more like a small scene from Bohuslän coastal life than like an attraction you had come to check off.

This is also where the cameras started working in earnest. When the water is mirror-like and the rocks, boats and sky are reflected in the surface, it's very hard not to.

Out on the rocks by the sea

From the natural harbor we continued out along the cliffs. The further out you get, the clearer Tjurpannan's special location with the open horizon in front of it becomes. At one place we just sat down and looked out over the sea. You don't actually need to do much more here. Sometimes a cliff, some coffee and an unbroken horizon are enough.

The journey is the destination, we usually say, and at Tjurpannan it almost literally applies. There is no major attraction at the far end that you have to reach. The hike, the cliffs, the sea and the stops along the way are the experience itself.

The bull's head when it's windy

We got to experience Tjurpannan from its kindest side, but the reserve is at least as famous for the opposite. Since there is no protective outer archipelago, the weather and wind hit the coast with full force. That is why Tjurpannan has long been a feared passage for sailors and the same conditions can create a powerful spectacle when the waves hit the rocks.

Seeing Tjurpannan in rough weather can be an experience in itself, but keep a good distance from wet and exposed rocks. Calm weather is much more suitable for swimming and fishing.

Swimming at Tjurpannan

There are coves and smaller beaches in the nature reserve where you can swim when the conditions are good. Inside Stora Huvuvet and Smugholmen there are also shallower coves.

Always check the wind and waves before swimming. The open location of Tjurpannan means that conditions can be completely different than at more sheltered swimming spots along the Bohus coast.

Nature and wildlife at Tjurpannan

The open landscape has been shaped by the sea, the wind and many years of grazing. There are bare rock outcrops and heather heaths, while pine, rowan, blackthorn and alder seek shelter in more sheltered places.

Among the plants are the common thorn and the thorny thorn, two carnivorous plants that catch small insects. There is also the beach poppy, which blooms with yellow flowers during the summer and is protected.

Tjurpannan also has a rich birdlife. Here you can see eiders, gulls, redshanks and other waders. At Storemyr there is a sheltered area that is good for both coffee breaks and birdwatching.

When is the best time to visit Tjurpannan?

Tjurpannan can be visited all year round and the place changes character considerably depending on the season and weather. On a calm summer day you can hike, swim and sit on warm rocks, while autumn and winter can offer much more raw nature experiences.

If you primarily want to hike and take photos, we would have chosen a day with decent weather and good visibility. If you instead want to experience the more dramatic side of Tjurpannan, wind can be part of the experience – but then it is also important to stay a safe distance from the sea.

Parking at Tjurpannan Nature Reserve

There is a larger parking lot at Långeby next to the nature reserve. From there, continue on foot along the gravel road and paths into the area. From the E6, drive towards Grebbestad and then continue in the direction of Havstenssund. Turn towards Saltviks camping and follow the road past the camping to the parking lot. It is also possible to take a bus from Grebbestad to Saltviks camping, which is located next to the nature reserve.

Bullpen with camper

We visited Tjurpannan by camper and were able to park at the parking lot and then continue on foot. Keep in mind that the nature reserve's rules do not allow motor vehicles further into the area and that camping is not allowed in the nature reserve.

If you want to stay overnight with a camper van, there are alternatives in and around Grebbestad. Saltviks camping is the closest, and the area also has GrebbestadFjorden and various camping sites. Always check the current rules and opening hours for camping sites and camping sites before your visit.

Rules in the Tjurpannan nature reserve

Tjurpannan is a protected natural area and visitors must follow the reserve's regulations. Among other things, it is not permitted to camp, make fires, damage or pick plants, disturb wildlife, or drive motor vehicles further than the parking lot.

Dogs must be kept on a leash and of course all rubbish must be taken away from the area. Please check the current regulations with the County Administrative Board before your visit as rules and practical information may change.

Facts about Tjurpannan Nature Reserve

Municipality: Tanum municipality
County: Västra Götaland County
Landscape: Bohuslän
Location: Between Grebbestad and Havstenssund
Formed: 1968
Size: Approximately 499 hectares
Nature conservation manager: West Coast Foundation
Nature: Heath and rocky terrain, rocky beaches, bays and wetlands
Activities: Hiking, nature experiences, bird watching, swimming and fishing
Parking: Located at Långeby next to the reserve

More to see and do near Tjurpannan

Tjurpannan is located in a part of Bohuslän where there is much more to discover. Feel free to combine the nature reserve with Grebbestad or continue along the coast towards Havstenssund and Fjällbacka.

North of Grebbestad is also the Monk Church at Grönemad, an exciting rock formation by the sea. The area is also home to the rock carvings in Tanum, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• Things to do in Grebbestad
• Fjällbacka 
• The rock carvings in Tanum

READ MORE: Things to do in Bohuslän - tips on sights and experiences