Discover Surte: Glassmaking history, cycling route and Fågeldammarna

Surte: glassmaking history, cycling and nature

If you choose Surte as your destination, you can plan your stay around three specific themes: the history of the glassworks, the Bohus–Surte cycling route and Fågeldammarna. The industrial history shows the role glass production played in the town; the ponds recall their former use as water reservoirs. Cycling and hiking trails offer further perspectives on Surte and its surrounding area. When planning your hotel stay, it helps to first decide whether you mainly want to learn about the town’s history, go cycling or spend time in the nearby area. The following places bring these themes to life.

Glasbruksmuseet i Surte and the history of the glassworks

Glasbruksmuseet i Surte presents an important period in Swedish industrial history. From 1862 to 1978, the glassworks was the town of Surte’s largest and dominant workplace. The museum displays a wide variety of glass packaging. This includes the oldest surviving bottle from Surte: a beer bottle from 1893. The craft itself is also part of the story: Alexander Samuelson learned glassblowing at Surte Glasbruk. Another part of the industrial history is Surte Kraftstation, built in 1943 as a reserve power station for the glassworks. The dates mark different historical milestones: 1862 to 1978 is the period during which the glassworks shaped the town’s working life; the 1893 beer bottle is a specific surviving object from that era.

The Bohus–Surte cycling route

The Bohus–Surte cycling route starts at the library in Surte and ends in Bohus, or takes you back to Surte. Most of it runs along cycle paths. The choice of endpoint is the key difference when planning your ride: you can choose a route ending in Bohus or one that returns to Surte. The guided cycling tour includes a stop at Glasbruksmuseet i Surte, where you can learn more about the glassworks and the former industrial community. A sign next to the route’s first pond tells you about the birds and the history of Surte Bäcken. The tour thus covers both the history of glass production and topics related to birds and the stream.

Fågeldammarna and how to get there

Fågeldammarna were originally created as water reservoirs for the once-important mill operation and the power station at Surte Glassworks. You can reach the ponds by bus to the Bruksvägen stop or by commuter train to Surte station; from there, follow Göteborgsvägen and Bruksvägen. If travelling by public transport, you can check the bus or train connections for your travel date. The ponds’ former purpose also connects a visit to Surte’s working and industrial history.

Hiking in the surrounding area

The Vättlefjäll Nature Reserve is nearby. It has several hiking trails, and the Bohusleden trail passes through the area. Vättlefjäll can be reached from the north via Bohus and Surte. Another hiking option is the loop around Lake Surtesjön. It starts either at a car park near the Surte bathing area or at Vättlefjällstugan in Angered, and follows an easy circular route along gravel paths. The two starting points are clearly different: for one, head to the Surte bathing area; for the other, use the hut in Angered as your starting point. This lets you include glassworks history, cycling and hiking as distinct themes in your travel plans.

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