Säter: Wooden Town, Ravines and Mining Heritage

Säter combines an exceptional wooden town with ravines, lakes, historic mining sites and varied cycling routes. Those planning a trip can combine cultural discoveries with experiences in nature and, depending on their priorities, choose a suitable holiday apartment as a base for their stay.

Between the Wooden Town and Swedish Mining History

Trästaden Säter is one of the best-preserved wooden towns in Sweden and has been classified as a cultural environment of national cultural-historical interest. A self-guided walking tour is available in Swedish, English and German. This makes it possible to explore the historic town at your own pace, even when members of a travel group have different interests.

The cultural history of the surrounding area includes the Silverringen, a cultural trail through the mining districts of Silvberg and Säter. Along the trail, visitors can experience how centuries-old mining, with its mines, smelting works and forges, shaped historically concentrated settlements in a natural setting. Gruvkonsten was considered one of the seven wonders of Dalarna in the 18th century. In Sördalen, a reconstruction of a waterwheel and part of the Konstgången can be seen today. Another reconstruction there shows the waterwheel of Gruvkonsten together with part of the water-powered rod system.

Nature Experiences in Säterdalen and at Bispbergs Klack

Säterdalen is a five-kilometre-long system of ravines between the town of Säter and the Dalälven. The area has high biological value and great species diversity. At Gruvplan by the main entrance, there is a large free visitor car park; a toilet is located next to it. This specific information is useful if you would like to include an excursion into the ravines in your day’s plans.

There are further opportunities for hiking around Säter. Marked hiking trails can be found at the entrance to Bispbergs Klack. The mountain rises 315 metres above sea level, and a short forest path leads to its viewpoint. Solvarboravinen is a side branch of the better-known Säterdalsravinen and offers pleasant hiking trails. Those who would like to incorporate historical details into the landscape can also find the stone arch bridge Hyttbäcksbron near Solvarbo, built between 1868 and 1870.

Cycling Tours for Different Day Plans

Säter can also be explored in many ways by bicycle. Ljusternrundan is a family-friendly cycling tour suitable for children aged six and over. It starts and ends at Gruvplan in Säter and follows the route around Lake Ljustern, passing several swimming areas and barbecue sites. This creates various possibilities for an active day with breaks, without attributing an unsupported duration to the route.

Säter MTB-arena is a recreation area close to the town, with several miles of natural and purpose-built trails in the surrounding area. For a different kind of cycling excursion, there is Söta Säter XC: The route is short and easy to ride and starts at Säter’s leisure centre. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether your trip will focus more on the town’s history, hiking trails or routes for shared cycling days.

Museums, Village History and Local Discoveries

Mentalvårdsmuseet is located by Säter Hospital. It tells the story of the period when a large part of psychiatric care took place in large psychiatric hospitals and documents the living conditions of patients and staff at Säter Hospital from 1912 through the 1980s and 1990s.

At the Åsgårdarna open-air museum, 23 buildings are arranged like a village; the oldest date from the 17th century. Permanent exhibitions include “Krukmakeriverkstaden” and “Smedjan”. In the Säter area, Skedvi Bröd in Stora Skedvi also brings together a market hall, a restaurant and a crispbread bakery under one roof. Säter is therefore suitable for a stay in which nature, cycling, regional food culture and history each have their own place.

To the overarching travel overview: Säter.