Discover Munkfors

Munkfors brings together nature, culture and industrial history along a route through the town. Munkforsen is located in Bruksparken, Laxholmen Kulturhus is next to the waterfall, and the Klarälvsbanan passes through Munkfors on its route from Karlstad to Hagfors. Hästskoholmen and the Fridolf Rhudin Museum also offer their own historical perspectives. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between nature by the waterfall, art and industrial history, and a longer route with different ways to get around.

Waterfall and art by the Klarälven

Munkforsen, the Klarälven’s highest natural waterfall, is located in Bruksparken in Munkfors. It has a drop of 17 metres. Laxholmen Kulturhus, an art museum, is next to the waterfall.

On certain summer days, the flowing water makes Munkforsen an impressive spectacle that can be viewed from just a few metres away. If this seasonal experience is important to your trip plans, check the exact dates before you travel. This helps distinguish the waterfall’s permanent natural setting from the spectacle that can only be seen on certain summer days.

Industrial history and culture

Industrial activity at Munkfors Bruk began in 1670 with the construction of the first forge. Hästskoholmen offers a different historical perspective: as early as the beginning of the 19th century, the owners of Munkfors Bruk used the site as a place of recreation. A large pleasure pavilion was built there, where balls and theatrical performances were held. These details refer to different periods: the beginning of industrial history in the 17th century and the use of Hästskoholmen in the early 19th century.

Laxholmen Kulturhus has a permanent exhibition of sculptures donated by Bo Englund. The artist was born in Munkfors. The permanent exhibition thus connects the sculptures with the donor’s birthplace.

The Fridolf Rhudin Museum in Munkfors has an exhibition about Fridolf Rhudin’s life and career. Its biographical focus differs from the sculpture exhibition at Laxholmen Kulturhus: here, the focus is on one person’s career, while there, it is on the donated sculptures.

The Klarälvsbanan through Munkfors

The Klarälvsbanan is a 90-kilometre-long, paved, car-free route from Karlstad to Hagfors. It passes through Forshaga, Deje, Ransäter, Munkfors, Norra Råda and finally Uddeholm. In the sequence of places listed, Munkfors lies between Ransäter and Norra Råda.

You can use the Klarälvsbanan by bicycle, on inline skates or on foot. These three options offer different ways to experience the route; its paved, car-free character describes the route itself.

For trip planning, the scale also makes a difference: the Klarälvsbanan connects several places over 90 kilometres, while Munkforsen and the museums are individual nature and culture attractions in Munkfors. You can therefore make the route itself or particular sights the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Ransäter.

Return to the main travel overview: Munkfors.