Holiday apartment in Mora on Lake Siljan: culture, nature and winter

Mora is located on the northern shore of Lake Siljan. It can be reached by car, train, bus and even by boat. The steamship M/S Gustav Wasa operates on Lake Siljan between Mora, Rättvik and Leksand.

Culture

One of the notable cultural and historical sites is the Siljansfors Forest Museum. The open-air museum is laid out around the ruins of an ironworks that operated from 1738 to 1876. Various forestry facilities are located there in their natural surroundings. Also connected with the region’s history is Södra Flenarna, considered the best-preserved shieling in Mora and declared a listed building in 1982.

The present-day Mora Church dates from the late 15th century. The church also houses a chasuble and a choir cloak donated by the priest Daniel Svinhufvud in the 15th century. In Mora Cemetery is the grave of the artist Anders Zorn and his wife Emma, designed by the artist Christian Eriksson.

Anders Zorn is represented in several places. Zorn’s Gammelgård is an open-air museum with Sweden’s most important collection of historic wooden buildings. Gopsmor was Zorn’s combined wilderness studio and fishing hut. Zorngården features preserved interiors dating from around the turn of the 20th century; guided tours lasting approximately 45 minutes are available there. The Zorn Museum is open year-round. Numerous wooden buildings, particularly from the Middle Ages, have also been preserved in Ovansiljan.

Nature and landscape

Anjosvarden comprises three treeless upland summits known as varder. The area is considered one of Dalarna’s largest roadless areas. An orange-marked trail leads over more than 3.5 kilometres each way to the summit. The wetlands around Anjosvarden are of ornithological importance; among other species, ruffs and pectoral sandpipers can be observed there.

Norra Mora Wilderness contains extensive, undisturbed wetlands and old-growth forests resembling primeval forest. Hiking and snowmobile trails run through the area. However, the cabins in Norra Mora Wilderness are not open to the public. Another geological trace can be found at Gesundaberget: remains of the meteorite impact that occurred 380 million years ago are visible there.

Active through the seasons

In Mora and its scenic surroundings, hiking, cycling and mountain biking are possible on forest trails. Near Siljansfors, there are forest and nature trails of 3 kilometres, 2.5 kilometres and 5 kilometres, as well as a 1,100-metre children’s trail. The trails of the Vasaloppet Arena are marked with symbols for skiers, cyclists and hikers. However, cycling and hiking are not permitted on private property.

Winter is also part of Mora’s annual rhythm. During this season, the town offers downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and ice skating. Vasaloppet spans two intense weeks—one in summer and one in winter—and attracts almost 100,000 participants across its various races. During the warmer months, visitors can swim, play or go boating at Tomteland on Lake Aurora.

More unique experiences await at Snickars Brukshästar, where carriage and sleigh rides are offered, ending with a simple coffee break. At Nils Olsson Dalahästar, visitors can learn about the entire production process—from a raw piece of wood to a fully painted Dala horse.

Discover more places: Gesunda, Gopshus, Mora, Venjan, Våmhus, Sollerön, Johannisholm. Another place in the same region is Ludvika.

To the overarching travel overview: Dalarna County.