Älvkarleby between River Landscape and Cultural History

Älvkarleby combines a distinctive river landscape with cultural history that can be traced to specific places. Laxön lies in the middle of the Älvkarleby Falls; near Älvkarleby, the Dalälven branches into several channels. Historical points of interest include Älvkarleby Church, the summer camp of the Engineer Troops on Laxön, and the nyckelharpa player Byss-Calle. This gives you several options for planning your trip: historical sites, marked walking trails, or the river landscape itself.

Laxön: Building History and Local Offerings

Most of the buildings on Laxön were constructed as early as the late 19th century and have now been renovated. For more than 100 years, the island was home to the summer camp of the Engineer Troops, who practised building bridges over rapids there. The buildings reflect a specific period of construction, while the camp marks the island’s technical use over more than a century. Laxön also offers places to eat and have coffee, as well as art and craft activities.

Church and Cultural History

Älvkarleby Church is the oldest church in the parish. It was built in the late Middle Ages, around 1490. Gammelgården is located opposite the church in Älvkarleby. Byss-Calle offers another cultural connection: the legendary nyckelharpa player’s full name was Carl Ersson Bössa, and he lived from 1793 to 1847. He came from Östanå in the parish of Älvkarleby in northern Uppland.

Walking Trails and Bridges

There are several marked walking trails along Kungarnas promenad. At the information boards, you can scan a QR code with your smartphone to listen to information about the kings’ connections to Älvkarleby. The Upplandsleden approaches from the south and crosses the Dalälven at Älvkarleby over the bridges there. These offer views of the falls and river channels. The area has several pedestrian bridges and walking trails adapted for accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users and people with strollers. The routes have different points of reference: Kungarnas promenad connects marked walking trails with a historical theme, while the river crossing is a key landmark on the Upplandsleden.

River Channels and Sport Fishing

Near Älvkarleby, the river branches out: alongside the channel to the power station, there are three river channels. The westernmost, Kungsådran, always has a strong current. The bridges offer views of the falls and river channels. Kungsådran should be distinguished from the channel to the power station: the name refers to the westernmost of the three river channels.

Sport fishing in the Dalälven extends for approximately nine kilometres, from the Älvkarleby Falls to the river’s mouth at the sea. Section A, near the falls, includes approximately one kilometre of rapids; fishing there is mainly from the shore. The two distances describe different scales: the total stretch to the river mouth and the shorter section near the falls.

Discover more destinations: Skutskär

For the overview of destinations: Älvkarleby.