Riddarhyttan: Railway, Industry and Nature

Riddarhyttan is shaped by its iron and railway history. Specific points of interest include Kopparverket, the exhibition in Lokstallet and traces of earlier iron production. Geological features, trails and protected nature add to the picture of the town. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between technical and historical themes on the one hand and nature and landscape on the other.

Iron and Railway History

Today’s Kopparverket is located south of lower Skärsjön. It was built starting in 1804 and commissioned by Riddarhytte bruk in 1819. The two dates mark different stages: construction began first, followed by commissioning fifteen years later. In the Lokstallet in Riddarhyttan, there is an exhibition about the town’s railway and industry. The development of the works and the exhibition on railway and industry thus offer two different ways of exploring Riddarhyttan’s history.

The KURJ-banan is also part of the railway story. It had the unusual track gauge of 1093 mm; its former railway route is now used as a walking and cycling trail. Here, technical history meets the present-day use of a former railway line as a trail.

Iron Production and Geological Traces

Röda Jorden is considered possibly Sweden’s oldest iron production site. Four historic iron production sites have been excavated there, fitted with small protective roofs and made visible to visitors. A trail near Röda Jorden passes several historic iron production sites; after three kilometres, you reach the activity area. This combines an interest in early iron production with a specific distance and a named destination.

Bastnäsfältet in Riddarhyttan is one of the most mineral-rich places in the world. At Bastnäs, red-painted posts in the landscape mark the former route of the Stånggången. In addition to its mineral wealth, this makes a historic route through the landscape visible.

Trails and Water

The Istidsleden can be explored on foot, by bicycle or by car. In the area around Malingsbo, Baggådalen and Riddarhyttan, Route 30 highlights specific places that help explain natural-history formations. These places give the route an explanatory focus: it is also about understanding natural-history formations.

Near Riddarhyttan, the Forsån nature reserve has a hiking trail about 700 metres long. It starts at a car park where National Road 68 crosses Forsån and runs to a headland surrounded by water. Its length, starting point and destination distinguish this trail description from the Istidsleden, which focuses on 30 places. Forsån near Riddarhyttan is also a habitat for the endangered and protected freshwater pearl mussel. Liens badplats is a municipal bathing area in Riddarhyttan. The area’s water-related features therefore include both the river habitat and a municipal bathing area.

When looking for a hotel in Riddarhyttan, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: will it centre on iron and railway history, or are trails, geology and nature more important? This distinction can help you choose a destination that suits your travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Karmansbo, Skinnskatteberg.

Go to the main travel overview: Skinnskatteberg.