Säter between ravine forest and mining history

Säter combines impressive natural scenery with a rich mining and local history. In Säterdalen, hiking trails follow the Ljusterån through a ravine system; in Säter, churches, historic town layouts and museums tell stories from different chapters of the region. Cycling, ancient forests and the Silverringen cultural route are also among the themes you can consider when planning your stay.

Ravine forest and trails in Säterdalen

Säterdalen is a five-kilometre-long ravine system with unique natural surroundings. A jungle-like deciduous forest with high biological value and great biodiversity grows on the slopes. A six-kilometre hiking trail runs one way along the Ljusterån through the entire valley. When planning, it is important to understand that this is a one-way distance.

The section between Norddalen and Almbacken has a special feature: it is adapted for accessibility and can be used by wheelchair users and people with pushchairs, as well as by people with visual impairments. Säterdalen is within walking distance of Säter railway station; access is via a few hundred metres along Kungsvägen to the north. This makes it possible to include a nature outing on foot in your travel plans.

Around Säter, the Solvarboravinen is up to 30 metres deep in places. In Solvarbo stands Hyttbäcksbron, a stone arch bridge built between 1868 and 1870. Hiking trails lead from there to Säterdalen and Bispberg. A short walk through the forest takes you to the Bispbergs Klack viewpoint, which offers views over large parts of southern Dalarna. The Bispbergs Klack nature reserve has well-preserved old-growth forest; Bispberget is considered Dalarna’s most important mountain for southern flora.

Mining history and historic Säter

The Silverringen cultural route passes through the scenic, historically significant mining districts of Silvberg and Säter. Five of its most notable sites, prepared for visitors, are Jönshyttan, Östra Silvberg, Grängshammar, Ulfshyttan and Bispberg. Along the route, you can experience how centuries of mining, with its mines, smelters and forge mills, shaped historically concentrated settlements in a beautiful natural setting.

Säter was granted town privileges by Queen Kristina in 1642. The town plan drawn up at the time shows a distinctive grid pattern that corresponds to today’s town plan. Trästaden Säter is one of Sweden’s best-preserved wooden towns and has been designated an area of national interest for heritage conservation. The old streets are home to restaurants and shops. Construction of Säters kyrka began in 1778 in the Neoclassical style; the church also houses two medieval images of Christ from the former Dalsby Chapel.

Mentalvårdsmuseet is a museum of the history of psychiatry, housed in a former ward of Säter Hospital, which opened in 1912. It shows the living conditions of patients and staff at the hospital from 1912 through the 1980s and 1990s. Hembygdsmuseet Åsgårdarna offers another perspective on local history: its 23 buildings are arranged like a village, and the oldest date from the 17th century. Permanent exhibitions include Krukmakeriverkstaden and Smedjan. In Sördalen, you can see a reconstruction of the waterwheel at Säterkonsta and part of the art passage.

More ideas for excursions and activities

If you want to explore the area by bike, Säter MTB Arena has several miles of natural and purpose-built trails around Säter. Nearby in Gustafs, Lundgrens preserves the former moulding factory and historical collections that were transferred to the association when moulding production ceased.

Stora Skedvi lies outside Säter. There, Stora Skedvi Hembygdsgård offers a summer café, museums open to visitors and exhibitions. The site includes the listed Kaplansgården, a museum with agricultural equipment and a child-friendly school museum. Also in Stora Skedvi, Skedvi Bröd traditionally bakes crispbread in ovens fired with spruce and pine wood.

These themes offer different reasons to stay in Säter, without limiting yourself to just one side of the destination.

Destination: Säter. Discover more destinations: Vansbro, Mora, Avesta, Smedjebacken, Rättvik, Hedemora, Falun.

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