Skinnskatteberg: Nature and Ironworks History

The Municipality of Skinnskatteberg is home to twelve nature reserves and 244 lakes and waterways. Throughout the municipality, traces and monuments from the ironworks era recall Skinnskatteberg’s industrial history. You can therefore combine your stay with both hikes and nature experiences, as well as visits to historic sites.

Lakes, nature reserves and hiking trails

The Bruksleden passes through the municipality in several sections. The municipality’s nature map shows cycling routes, longer hikes and shorter circular trails, providing an overview of different ways to explore the landscape.

For shorter walks, the trail in Örtjärnsskogen Nature Reserve is about three kilometres long. It is part of the Bruksleden, which continues beyond the nature reserve. Check the route details before setting off. Ormdalsslingan is a circular hike of about 5.8 kilometres in Baggådalen. It passes through marshes and dense forest, and alongside quiet waterways. Another loop is about 8.5 kilometres long and runs mostly along the shore of Lake Skärsjön. The different trail lengths make it easier to choose hikes that suit the distance you have in mind.

The Skräppbo Cultural Reserve also combines natural and cultural history: it contains traces left by the inland ice 10,000 years ago, and iron has been worked there since the 15th century. Lake Haraldsjön is a spring-fed lake and, at 53 metres deep, the deepest lake in Västmanland. A theatre group produces theatre, music, art exhibitions and festivals in Skräppbo.

Sites connected with ironworks history

Skinnskatteberg Manor was built in 1779 by Wilhelm Hising. The manor and ironworks surroundings are part of Ekomuseum Bergslagen. Elsewhere, the history of ironmaking can be experienced in different ways: Röda Jorden has the oldest known evidence of ironmaking in Bergslagen. Five bloomery furnaces lie along a two-kilometre hiking trail there. Every summer, iron is made using traditional methods at Röda Jordens dag.

Karmansbo is a unique, well-preserved ironworks environment with a forge, manor and workers’ housing. The forge contains a seven-tonne hammer powered by a waterwheel. Järnets Dag takes place there every year on the first Saturday in July; if you plan to attend, check the event date for that year. Lienshyttan remained in operation until 1959.

Bastnäs is also associated with remarkable evidence of industrial history. The mining field is considered one of the most mineral-rich places in the world. It is also home to the only preserved hakspel in the world still at its original location. In Riddarhyttan, Lokstallet & KURJ is the only surviving locomotive shed along the Köping–Uttersberg–Riddarhyttan railway line. The tower’s water tank houses an exhibition about the railway and industry in Riddarhyttan.

Nature and culture throughout the year

For outdoor activities, there is also Borntorpets spårcentral, a trail centre for hiking, skiing and running. In summer, the ski trail becomes a lit running track that can also be used during the darker hours. The Karmansbo–Hed area offers year-round opportunities for hiking, fishing, cycling and enjoying nature.

The former station area in Uttersberg is home to Galleri Astley and a sculpture park. Galleri Astley is open to visitors year-round; admission to the parks, museum and gallery is free. Check the latest visitor information before travelling. Färna Herrgård is located in an ecopark, surrounded by two lakes. The range of destinations thus extends from historic industrial sites and exhibitions to hiking trails and waterside landscapes.

Discover more destinations: Skinnskatteberg, Karmansbo, Riddarhyttan, Sala, Surahammar, Köping, Strömsholm, Hallstahammar.

For the broader travel guide: Västmanland.