Bengtsfors between lakes, trails and culture

Bengtsfors offers a range of options for a stay: lakes and waterways, walking and hiking routes, and cultural attractions in the town. Lake Lelång stretches from the south of Bengtsfors to Lennartsfors in the north. In central Bengtsfors, EKA-Miljörum is located on Lake Bengtsbrohöljen. The Bengtsfors lock station leads from Bengtsbrohöljen into Lelång.

Waterfront paths and green trails

The Bengtsfors Strandpromenad is 6 km long and runs alongside Lake Lelång, Bengtsbrohöljen and the banks of the Dalsland Canal. It starts at Sågudden and passes through EKA-Miljörum. The route connects different stretches of waterfront and its length is easy to gauge. At 28 km, the Nordleden is considerably longer. Starting points for this hiking trail are Sågudden in Bengtsfors and Optimistens lanthandel in Gustavsfors. The lengths of the two routes offer a concrete comparison for planning: six kilometres on the Strandpromenad versus 28 kilometres on the Nordleden.

Another local landmark is Majberget, a recreation area on the hill above Bengtsfors. Halmens Hus is located on Majberget. Here, a recreation area and a cultural attraction come together, while the Strandpromenad and the Nordleden offer route options of different lengths.

Water, swimming spots and harbour

Lake Lelång in Bengtsfors has swimming spots, a guest harbour and moorings for rent. The guest harbour is right in the town centre. Badplats Sågudden is a centrally located swimming spot with a sandy beach. It has a wheelchair ramp, and a paved path leads almost all the way to the ramp. Sågudden therefore offers both a sandy beach and a specific detail about the path leading to the ramp.

Exhibitions, crafts and local history

Halmens Hus has a permanent exhibition about the significance of straw in Dalsland, which is open all year round. The centre also offers basic training in straw crafts. The exhibition and training offer different perspectives: you can explore the role of straw in the region or learn about the craft.

The exhibitions at EKA-Miljörum cover the industrial history of the EKA area and the remediation project that transformed the previously contaminated site into the park it is today. EKA-Miljörum also has a stone labyrinth where children can play. These two features combine insight into the area's industrial history and transformation with a play opportunity for children.

The Friluftsmuseet Gammelgården comprises more than 20 buildings. Bengtsfors Church offers another perspective on local history: it was inaugurated in 1926 and has distinct features of 1920s Classicism. The cultural attractions range from the tradition of straw crafts and industrial history to an open-air museum and the church's architecture.

Fishing and paddling on Lelång

Lelång offers particularly good fishing for pike and perch. Trout are also found there, and their population has improved following fisheries management projects. A 25 km canoe trip on the lake is also suggested as a day trip. Compared with the six-kilometre Strandpromenad, this is a considerably longer route on the water rather than along the shore. The specific distances make paddling and walking easy to compare as different options for planning your day.

Discover more destinations: Gustavsfors, Ödskölt, Dals Långed, Billingsfors, Bäckefors.

For the overview of the wider area: Bengtsfors.