Surahammar: Nature, Iron Industry and Birdlife

Fourteen nature reserves, birdwatching and outdoor trails sit alongside tangible traces of the iron industry in Surahammar: forges, workshops and locks tell the story of the area’s working past. You can tailor your stay to different interests, focusing on nature and outdoor activities or on culture and industrial heritage.

Nature Reserves, Birdlife and Trails

The municipality of Surahammar has 14 nature reserves with significant natural and cultural values. Marked trails, information boards and parking areas help visitors find their way around the reserves. Stingsberget also has a special function: it is used as an open-air church.

Stage 8 of the Bruksleden trail passes the outskirts of Surahammar and reaches the Stingsmossen and Rövallsmossen nature reserves. Rövalls and Stingsmossen can be explored on foot via the Bruksleden. These reserves are home to rare fungi and a rich variety of birdlife; overnight stays are possible at Rövallskojan.

At Hälleskogsbrännan, you can observe the effects of the 2014 forest fire and nature’s recovery. Several trails, rest areas, barbecue spots and a viewing tower offer different places to visit in the area. Several sections are accessible by pushchair or wheelchair; this does not apply to the entire area.

Gnien is a bird lake with a birdwatching tower and birdlife throughout the year. Near Gnien, the Kolbäcksån widens into a lake. Fishing with a fishing permit is allowed there during parts of the year. If you plan to fish, check the applicable dates and conditions in advance.

Traces of the Iron Industry

Ramnäs bruk was founded in 1590 by Katarina Stenbock, the widow of Gustav Wasa. Its industrial heritage includes a Lancashire forge and the well-preserved Schenströmska and Tersmedenska manor houses. The historic Spången bridge over the rapids has also been preserved as part of the industrial heritage. Originally, the owners of the forges on either side of the rapids had it built so they could move more easily between their facilities.

At the Surahammars Bruksmuseum, you can see a former workshop building. At the museum, visitors can follow the production process from pig iron to finished railway wheels. A guided tour lasts about one hour; the museum can adjust the duration. Another way to explore the development of the ironworks is to follow Surahammar’s historic walking trail. Signs explain the area’s development from the 17th century onwards, and the trail passes Hofgårds sluss, where information boards explain the lock’s importance for shipping. The route is approximately three kilometres long and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Check the route conditions before your visit.

Stenhuset was built in 1847 as a home for six blacksmith families. Upstairs is an art gallery, which has hosted exhibitions over the years by local and other artists, as well as craftspeople. The café serves coffee and tea, along with homemade sweet buns and cakes. The café may be open seasonally; check in advance if your visit depends on it.

The Strömsholms canal runs through the municipality and is used as a leisure route for recreational boats. The entire canal has been a protected historic site since 1990. In Virsbo, visitors can walk through the bruksområde, with its historic industrial street, locks and a functionalist-style art gallery.

Lisjö Brukskyrka also connects industrial history with its former everyday functions. It was built in 1795 for the ironworks employees and included seven homes for blacksmiths, as well as a schoolroom upstairs. The church is used for Christmas services, among other things; guided tours can be booked. Before travelling to a service, check the dates and ask about the current options for booking a tour.

Art, Museums and Activities

The MC Museet Gyllene Hjulet in Surahammar is one of Sweden’s largest moped and motorcycle museums. It has around 120 motorcycles and mopeds on display, as well as two cars. These include the Surahammarsbilen, built in 1903.

Virsbo Konsthall is located on the island of Verksholmen in the Kolbäcksån, in an old ironworks setting. It has more than 800 square metres of space for exhibitions and music events. A café area serves coffee and homemade pastries. In Virsbo, an 18-hole disc golf course also winds through scenic woodland. Surahammars Golfklubb has an 18-hole parkland course with open fairways, water hazards and wooded sections.

There are two different stated lengths for running trails: the illuminated trail in Surahammar is 3,300 metres long when starting at Ekängen. The illuminated running trail in Virsbo is 2,500 metres long and is located by Skräddartorpet, east of Virsbo. The Lindmuren MTB area has four signposted mountain biking trails to choose from, all accessible from a shared starting point.

For rail travel, Surahammar is served by the Västerås–Hallstahammar–Surahammar–Fagersta–Ludvika line. Ramnäs has a railway stop on the Västerås–Ludvika line. Check current timetables before travelling. Nature reserves, museum visits and walking trails offer different ways to spend your time in the area; which of these you prioritise may influence where you choose to stay.

Discover more destinations: Ramnäs, Surahammar, Arboga, Norberg, Hallstahammar, Köping, Fagersta, Skinnskatteberg.

See the main travel overview: Västmanland.