Fagersta between industrial heritage and hiking trails

Fagersta combines reminders of ironmaking with trails through forests and lake landscapes. Engelsbergs bruk tells the story of the region’s industrial past, while viewpoints, hiking trails and seasonal nature watching draw you outdoors. This lets you plan your trip around the themes that interest you most.

Industrial heritage and museums

Engelsbergs bruk is an outstanding example of an influential European industrial complex from the 17th to the 19th century. The site preserves a complete ironworks from this period and much of its technical equipment. The owner, Nordstjernan, is responsible for guided tours; check visiting hours before your trip.

On Oljeön, in Lake Åmänningen near Ängelsberg, you’ll find the world’s oldest surviving oil refinery. The island’s museum can be visited on a guided tour in summer. The Petrolia ferry departs from below Ängelsberg station; the crossing takes just under ten minutes. As services are seasonal and subject to the timetable, it’s worth checking the schedule before planning your visit.

In Ängelsberg, the sculpture park displays outdoor artworks in nature beside the Snytenån. New works are installed there each summer, based on a different exhibition theme each year. This places art in an open landscape alongside the region’s industrial heritage. History is also visible in its surroundings at Dunshammar, where well-preserved Iron Age bloomery furnaces remain.

At Fagersta Bruksmuseum, visitors can learn more about the history of the ironworks and steel in Fagersta. School classes, groups and other interested visitors can visit the museum by arrangement. Västanfors hembygdsgård comprises several furnished museum rooms, a manor house wing, a café and an old shop. You can stroll among the cottages, walk through the manor park and explore the lock area. In addition to the grounds and locks, you can also visit a pottery workshop in a lock keeper’s house; check availability before your visit.

Visible traces of historic ironmaking remain in the landscape at Trummelsbergs bruk. Olav Trummel founded the works in 1622, and they remained in operation until 1907. A barbecue area and a shelter add to the site. Its long period of operation and the traces visible today give a visit a different sense of time from the Iron Age sites at Dunshammar.

Hiking, viewpoints and nature

At Landsberget, you’ll find caves and cliffs; a viewpoint offers views across Lake Åmänningen. At the summit, there are places to sit, a shelter and a barbecue area. From spring through autumn, colorful hammocks are also available in the hammock forest. In the Svartberget Nature Reserve, limestone-rich habitats provide suitable conditions for rare plants, orchids and mosses. White-tailed eagles and red-breasted flycatchers have also been spotted there, among other species; sightings can vary by season.

In Fagersta, the Bruksleden passes through Högbyn, at 241 meters above sea level Fagersta’s highest point, as well as Trummelsberg and Landsberget. The latter, at 217 meters, is Fagersta’s second-highest point. Another option is the 16-kilometer Landsbergstriangeln, a circular hike through forests and past several lakes and watercourses. Kråksten Nature Reserve has two marked trails of about 2.5 and 3.6 kilometers. The Brudslöjan waterfall is also located there: the County Administrative Board describes it as Västmanland’s highest waterfall; it has a drop of five meters.

Cycling and seasonal activities

Near Fageråsen, Fagersta Södra IK’s cycling park has purpose-built mountain biking trails from 1 to 9 kilometers long for different skill levels. For longer rides, the cycle route along the Strömsholms kanal runs from Smedjebacken in the north through Fagersta and Ängelsberg to Västerås in the south. The two options differ mainly in their scope and route: a network of trails in several lengths versus a route connecting several towns.

Winter also shapes the activities on offer: the lakes around Trummelsberg often freeze early, attracting long-distance ice skaters. Together with the hiking trails, cycling and historic sites, Fagersta offers a variety of themes to explore during your stay.

Discover more destinations

Fagersta, Ängelsberg, Hallstahammar, Köping, Västerås, Strömsholm, Skinnskatteberg, Sala

For the main travel overview: Västmanland.