Discover Billingsfors on Lake Laxsjön

Billingsfors lies right on Lake Laxsjön, and the Dalsland Canal runs through the town. The lake, canal and historic buildings give a stay several distinct focal points. If you are looking for a hotel in Billingsfors, you can choose your destination based on whether church and lock architecture, nature trails, cycling or activities on the water are your main interests. The places and routes offer a variety of reasons to visit.

Church and Open-Air Theatre

Billingsfors Church was built of wood between 1761 and 1763. It stands on an island in Lake Laxsjön, connected to the mainland by an iron bridge. The chancel contains a positive organ built in the 18th century. The open-air theatre in Billingsfors was built in 1792 and is still used by local music and theatre associations for concerts and performances. The church and theatre are two buildings dating from the 18th century; the church also has the added distinctive features of its island setting and positive organ. If a performance is the deciding factor for your visit, check the event dates before you travel.

The Dalsland Canal and Locks

The Dalsland Canal runs through Billingsfors. The lock station consists of two single locks that lead from Lake Laxsjön to Bengtsbrohöljen. The lowest single lock is right next to the paper mill. This makes it possible to understand the canal not just as part of the town: the locks connect two named bodies of water, and the paper mill is immediately beside the lowest lock.

Nature Areas and Trails

Ösan Nature Reserve lies east of Billingsfors on a peninsula in Lake Laxsjön. It has easy-to-walk trails and a bathing area, and the reserve is also easy to reach by canoe. To get there from Billingsfors, turn off Route 172 north of the lock towards Strandvägen and follow Strandvägen to the end.

Another nature reserve in the area includes Höljerudsforsarna and the slope to the east. Together, these areas cover about 45 ha. Ösan combines the lakeside setting with trails, a bathing area and canoe access; Höljerudsforsarna focuses on rapids and the slope as landscape features. The two nature destinations offer different focal points for your stay.

The Brända Berget hiking trail is 9 or 11 km long and passes the Dalsland Canal and Höljerudsforsarna. The cycling route between Billingsfors and Bengtsfors runs along the western side of Bengtsbrohöljen. Trout, pike and perch are caught in Lake Laxsjön near Billingsfors. This gives you several options for planning your day: a hike with two distance options, a cycling connection between the towns, and the lake as a destination for anglers. You can weigh the route details and destinations according to which activity you want to focus on.

Discover more destinations: Bäckefors, Ödskölt, Gustavsfors, Dals Långed, Bengtsfors

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