Garpenberg: Mining History and Trails by Gruvsjön

Garpenberg combines an unusually rich mining history with trails through the landscape around lakes, mines and former transport routes. Garpenbergs bruk and the Garpenberg mine are particularly characteristic, and the manor house was also closely connected to them for a long time.

Mining History in Chapels, the Manor House and the Open-Air Museum

Dating from the early 17th century, Garpenbergs Gruvkapell is the only above-ground mining chapel in Sweden that is still actively used. Visits can be booked through the Garpenberg local heritage association. Beneath Garpenbergs kyrka there is also a 50-metre-long mine shaft called Stollen or Carls stoll. The church itself is an 18th-century young church and is known for its tall red pews and the large statue of Christ on the altar.

Mining has been carried out at Garpenbergs bruk since the 13th or 14th century. Garpenbergs herrgård is another historical focal point. The present main building was constructed in stone according to plans by C. C. Gjörwell, signed in 1801. Three of the original four wing buildings remain; they were constructed in stone around 1760. Guided tours can be booked as part of a stay at Garpenbergs Slott.

Garpenbergs Gammelgård adds to this picture as an open-air museum with around ten older buildings. Guided visits can be booked through the Garpenberg local heritage association. Depending on your interests, you can therefore choose between sacred architectural history, mining, aristocratic architecture and rural everyday history.

Hiking Trails with Different Focal Points

For a longer tour, the Bensåsleden forms an approximately 19-kilometre circular route from Garpenberg to Bensåsen and the nearby Bensåsgruvan. At Bensåsgruvan lies Morfars ort, a mine tunnel that can be entered. On the return journey, the Bensåsleden follows an old church path. Take the length of the circular route into account when planning your day and choose this trail if you want to combine mining history with an extended hike.

The Dammsjöleden around Finnhytte Dammsjön is shorter, at just under 5 kilometres. The trail passes both disused mines and Garpenberg’s modern mining area. Along the route there are several rest areas with wind shelters and barbecue facilities. The Dammsjöleden therefore offers a different focus from the longer Bensåsleden: the emphasis is on the lake, the route and the contrast between former and modern mining.

Banvallen also offers its own way to experience Garpenberg. It has been prepared as a route for walking, cycling and horse riding, and mostly follows the former railway embankment of the Gruvgården-Fors railway line. Banvallen offers views across Gruvsjön; the Pilgrimsleden also runs along this section. The nearest bus stops to Banvallen’s starting points are Garpenbergs kyrka and Garpenbergs herrgård.

Lake Landscape, Arboretum and Mining Relics

Garpenbergs arboretum is a small botanical park with unusual trees and plants, especially conifers such as spruce and thuja. At the outlet of Gruvsjön, beside Klondyke beach, lie the ruins of an ore-processing plant. There is also a large area of slag heaps there. The wooden headframe at Intrånget offers expansive views and creates another prominent feature in the mining landscape.

When choosing your accommodation, it is worth deciding in advance what you want to focus on during your trip. A holiday apartment in Garpenberg is suitable as a base for combining Gruvkapell, the manor house, Gammelgård and the trails described above. If you would like to travel without your own car, Dalatrafik operates regular bus services between Hedemora Travel Centre and Garpenberg. This allows you to consider your travel arrangements and choice of excursions together without having to combine the individual experiences into a fixed route.

Other places for planning your trip include Vikmanshyttan, Hedemora, Stjärnsund.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Hedemora.