Go: Mining History and Routes

Los combines a rich mining history with routes for walking and mountain biking. Places of cultural and historical interest, the local church and Loos Hembygdsgård give the area’s history a tangible connection; the routes differ in length, activity type and destination, among other things. This lets you plan your trip to Los around what you want to experience locally.

Mining History and Culture in Los

From the 1730s, cobalt was mined and processed in Los under the direction of Henric Kahlmeter; glass was also made. Loos Koboltgruva offers an authentic underground mining environment from the 18th century. In summer, guided tours are held on the hour. As this is a seasonal offering, check the dates before your trip. There is also a connection to local craft history north of Los: guided tours of Loos Brynsåg can be booked; be sure to check the booking details in advance.

Another place of cultural and historical interest is Loos Hembygdsgård on Kyrkbytjärn. Finnmarksleden and Hamraleden start here: the route passes through Hamra National Park to the World Heritage Site of Fågelsjö Gammelgård Bortom Åa. Loos Hembygdsgård can also be linked to the local history of mining. Along the way, Kalmeterslingan tells the story of the municipality and its mining history, passes through the centre of Los, and is described as a 7.2-kilometre mountain biking trail.

Los kyrka also contributes to the area’s history. The first version of the church was a simple, towerless hall church, built around 1816 to plans by the Överintendentsämbetet. The Loos-staken chandeliers are associated with the church: they are newly made from birch wood, modelled on an original found in the church attic, and hand-painted. The chandeliers are sold at Los kyrka; availability may vary.

Compare Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails

Kalmeterslingan and a section of Hälsingeleden offer different points of comparison. Kalmeterslingan is a 7.2-kilometre mountain biking trail through the centre of Los. Hälsingeleden, by contrast, includes an approximately 15-kilometre hiking section between Los and Hedbäcken. The length and activity type are clearly specified, while the distance for Hälsingeleden is explicitly approximate.

Finnmarksleden and Hamraleden can be viewed from a different perspective: here, the starting point at Loos Hembygdsgård and the destination of Fågelsjö Gammelgård Bortom Åa are the key landmarks. The route passes through Hamra National Park. This puts a specific route in focus, while the other two examples are mainly comparable by their stated length and activity type. Each description therefore answers different questions when choosing a route.

Bakehouse and Landscape

As well as its cultural significance, Loos Hembygdsgård offers a practical option: the bakehouse can be rented for baking tunnbröd, pizza or sweet rolls. These three baking options give the offering a distinctive focus and complement the historical impressions with a local baking tradition. If you would like to use this facility, you can enquire about renting it in advance.

The surroundings of Los include Orsa Finnmark, known for its deep forests and quiet lakes. Together with the trails, this creates a contrast between the town’s mining history and experiences of the surrounding landscape.

Discover more destinations: Åshammar, Strömbacka, Furuvik, Bergvik.

View the overarching travel overview: Gävleborg.