Sunnemo: River History and Industrial Heritage

Landscape and Local History

Sunnemo lies in a valley that was once the course of the Klarälven; this valley is 10 km east of the river’s present course. Its location therefore points to an earlier course of the river. The Hyttälven is a separate feature: the Hyttdalen walking trail runs along this river. These are two distinct geographical references to help you find your way around—the valley’s earlier river history and a trail beside the Hyttälven.

The area around Sunnemo Church and the Hyttälven has long been the center of the area’s administrative and industrial history. Several well-preserved 19th-century buildings stand in this area. It is also home to Sunnemo’s well-preserved blast furnace ruins, a reminder of the town’s most important industry. Here you can encounter both an area of historical importance and a separate testament to industrial history.

Church and Architectural Heritage

At Sunnemo Church, an altarpiece from 1680 is one of the artistic and historical highlights. At its center is a carved Crucifixion group. This dates from a different period than the 19th-century buildings in the area around the church and the Hyttälven. If you want to place Sunnemo’s history in chronological context, you can compare this 17th-century work of church art with the architectural evidence from the 19th century.

A Trail Beside the Hyttälven

The Hyttdalen walking trail is an easy trail running along the Hyttälven. It starts in Sunnemo, about 500 m east of the church, behind the Gubbkroken local heritage museum. The museum and the approximate distance from the church are two specific landmarks to help you find the starting point. The trail passes the ruins of Sunnemo hyttan. This route thus brings together the river and a testament to the area’s industrial history.

Hyttdalen is also home to a restored shingle planer powered by a waterwheel. As a technical artifact, it differs from the ruins: a restored machine with a specifically identified power source has been preserved here. The shingle planer adds a concrete example of historic technology to Sunnemo’s industrial history.

Leisure and Seasonal Specialties

Sunnemo Disc Golf Course is an 18-hole course with a par of 56, starting at the Täppevi sports ground. Disc golf is therefore a different activity from the Hyttdalen walking trail: the course is defined by its number of holes, par, and starting point, while the trail runs along the Hyttälven and passes the ruins of Sunnemo hyttan. If you are comparing activities for your trip, these are two clearly distinct options.

According to the 2019 municipal leisure plan, Lidsbron is a child-friendly bathing spot in Sunnemo. Before your visit, check the facilities that matter for your plans. This preserves its child-friendly description while allowing you to confirm whether the bathing spot meets your needs.

In summer, Gubbkroken’s farm shop sells Sunnemobröd, which is traditionally baked in a wood-fired oven. The baking method and seasonal sales give this specialty two specific characteristics. If you want to include Sunnemobröd in your travel plans, bear in mind that it is sold in summer. The bread adds a seasonal local treat to the historical themes and leisure activities.

Discover more destinations: Ekshärad, Uddeholm, Gustav Adolf, Råda, Höje, Lakene, Gustavsfors, Hagfors

Go to the main travel overview: Hagfors.