Discover Åkers Styckebruk: Hiking and Industrial Heritage

Åkers Styckebruk is located on Lake Visnaren, on the edge of Åkers Bergslag. Hiking trails, traces of the ironworks’ history and paddling options give your trip a variety of possible focuses. Which ones you include depends on whether you want to compare route lengths, explore industrial history or get out on the water.

Hiking and comparing routes

Stage 16:1 of the Sörmlandsleden is 11 kilometres long and is located in Åkers Styckebruk. It first passes through an old ironworks landscape and then through undeveloped areas of Åkers Bergslag. It also runs through the Lenellstorpet Nature Reserve and across a nutrient-rich fen with rare orchids. This stage brings together a historic industrial landscape, protected nature and undeveloped countryside.

The starting point for the stage can be reached by bus 301 from Strängnäs or bus 306 from Läggesta. Check the timetable before travelling. There is a car park behind Folkets hus, about 200 metres from the starting point. This information can help you plan your journey to the start of the stage.

The two illuminated circular routes on Åkersspåret, near Bruksvallen, are 0.9 and 2.4 kilometres long. The Ulva recreational area has running routes of 3, 5 and 10 kilometres. Two other trails have different reference points: the 5-kilometre Stånggångsleden starts and ends at Göksjön, by the former Hjulhuset, while the start and finish of the 6-kilometre Marviksleden are at Malsjön. You can therefore distinguish between these two routes by both their length and their respective start and finish points.

Gallsjömossen Nature Reserve is nearby; stage 16:1 of the Sörmlandsleden leads there from Åkers Styckebruk. There is also a 4-kilometre circular trail within the reserve. Kalkbro is nearby as well. A surfaced path leads from the car park to the quarry and is suitable for visitors with a rollator or a pushchair.

Industrial history and cultural heritage

Åkers bruksmuseum presents the history of Åkers Jern Bruk, which was founded in 1580. The current blast furnaces at Åkers Styckebruk date from 1795. The Motstugan, where casting moulds were made, has also been preserved on the industrial site. The museum, blast furnaces and Motstugan offer different insights into local ironworking: its history, preserved facilities and a specific place of work. The museum is next to Engelska parken. Check current opening hours before visiting.

Engelska parken was laid out from the 1780s onwards. The Bruksarkiv also preserves records of the ironworks’ history: the old works archive includes documents from the early 17th century. It also contains the Wahrendorff archive of the Stockholm trading house “Wahrendorff et Co”. There is also a historic mine in the surrounding area, with a seasonally open mining museum and a restaurant. Remember to take its seasonal opening into account when planning a visit.

Paddling on Visnaren and in Marvikarna

The Åkers Styckebruk–Marvikarna–Gnesta canoe trail starts at Lake Visnaren in Åkers Styckebruk, passes through the three long, narrow Marviken lakes and is 40 kilometres long in total. Kanotkungen rents out canoes, Canadian canoes and kayaks from Åkers Styckebruk. The local paddling options therefore include both a described water route and various types of rental boats.

Kanotkungen also offers paddling trips in Marvikarna lasting from 1 to 4 days. For day trips, both the start and finish are at Kanotkungen in Åkers Styckebruk. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between the described 40-kilometre route and tours of different durations.

Discover more destinations: Mariefred, Strängnäs, Stallarholmen.

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