Dals-Ed: Forests, Trails and Culture

Tresticklan National Park is located in Dals-Ed Municipality in northwestern Dalsland, near the Norwegian border. As the largest roadless and undeveloped forest area in southern Sweden, it shapes the destination’s natural character. If you enjoy hiking, the park has three marked trails: Bodalsvikenleden, Bråtaneslingan and Orshöjdsleden. Check local trail information before your trip.

Hiking through forests and around lakes

The Heråmaden Nature Reserve also features an extensive forest landscape: it covers untouched forests along the Herå River and spans almost five square kilometres. The Härvägen hiking trail starts at Tavlan. From Klevmarken, you can continue your hike via Ringsmon on trails that connect with routes in Heråmaden and Tresticklan National Park. Lundsnes Nature Reserve, on the Norwegian side of the border, can also be reached from Tresticklan. Check the conditions for these connections before setting out.

Two trails differ in length and route, offering shorter or longer hikes: the orange trail follows forest paths for 3.9 kilometres around Sågtjärn. The red trail is 24.5 kilometres long and circles the settlement, passing north of Tavlan; along the way, paths alternate with forest roads, and the route is hilly. At Motionsgården Tavlan, there is an outdoor exercise area with several paths and routes. You can combine these to create your own scenic hiking routes.

Activities in every season

When there is enough snow, groomed cross-country ski trails measuring 2.6, 4.3 and 22 kilometres are prepared at Tavlan. Whether these routes are available therefore depends on snow conditions. Another way to get active is the Dals-Ed DiscGolfPark: its 9-hole course is at the Sågtjärn bathing area.

The municipality has more than 400 lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. For fishing, the municipal fishing permit covers 15 fisheries management areas and makes a fishing trip possible. Check the rules and the permit’s coverage before fishing. Furustad Nature Reserve is suitable for going ashore and taking walks in the forest. The easiest way to reach it is by water; alternatively, a forest road leads there from Valsebo.

Canodal offers canoe and kayak hire, with the necessary equipment, on the Dalsland-Nordmarken lake system. They also provide instruction in paddling technique and safe conduct on the lake. Confirm rental and lessons before you arrive. One specific connection across Lake Stora Le is the Sund–Jaren ferry: the crossing is 900 metres long and takes ten minutes. If you plan to take it, check the current timetable.

At Dalslands Moose Ranch, the enclosure covers ten hectares and is home to seven tame moose. The number of animals may change. Guided tours of the moose park last one or two hours. Check availability in advance and book your tour before your trip.

Culture and history in Dals-Ed

The Eds MC- och Motormuseum displays 700 objects, including historic motorcycles, radios, sewing machines and boat engines. The municipality’s art gallery opened in the library in 2017. Its wide-ranging exhibition programme changes and includes works by professional artists as well as amateurs.

Gäserudsstugan is a local heritage museum and one of the oldest surviving buildings in Dalsland. The site includes a stable and a rare building known as a Stolpbod. All the buildings are very well preserved, inside and out. The history of the border region is also present at several locations: during the Second World War, border guards and refugees used Hallevägen between Rävmarken and Bodalsviken. From January to May 1945, Rävlyckan was one of 14 secret Norwegian military bases on Swedish territory and is part of the Ekomuseum Gränsland.

Parsetjärns skans is southwest of Ed, on Route 166; there is a rest area next to the site. The fortification is associated with the Second World War. In the northern section are 13 trenches and a so-called “kg-hatt”.

Ed and practical information

A gravel cycling route starts and ends in Ed, between Lakes Stora Le and Lilla Le. It is around 52 kilometres long. At the market in Ed, the offerings include stalls, food and coffee; children can enjoy pony rides. The specific offerings may vary from one market to another. At the market square, Café Smör & Socker serves homemade fika and sandwiches.

The Dals-Ed Tourist Information Office provides information and brochures about what is on offer in the municipality and in Dalsland. Seasonal arrangements may change, so check current options if you have a specific need. This makes it easier to plan how to balance nature trails, cultural stops and activities to suit your trip.

Discover more destinations: Nössemark, Ed, Lilla Edet, Vara, Gullspång, Tranemo, Svaneholm, Öckerö.

Go to the regional travel overview: Västra Götaland.