Holiday accommodation in Hofors: Trails, lakes and industrial heritage

Hofors lies in the western part of Gästrikland, near the province of Dalarna. The Hälsans Stig circular trail starts in the centre. It passes Hofors Church, goes around Hammardammen and then returns to the centre.

Trails and exercise

The southern section of the Gästrikeleden also starts in central Hofors: the trailhead is behind the ice rink at the Stålringen sports grounds. Near Hofors, this section is an 8- to 10-kilometre forest hike there and back. The Hofors exercise trails begin between Hoforshallen and Stålringen; there is an outdoor fitness area at the starting point. Two loops are 2.5 and 5 kilometres long respectively and are illuminated.

The marked trails also include the 4.2-kilometre Storflyslingan, with a barbecue area and two wind shelters. A 2.8-kilometre walking and exercise loop runs around Lake Hammardammen. Along this loop there is a wind shelter directly beside the lake, equipped with benches, picnic tables, a barbecue area and a wood store. Two more marked trails branch off from the Hofors exercise trails: one is 5.5 kilometres long and marked blue, while the other is 11 kilometres long and marked pink.

Culture and industrial heritage

Hofors Church was built in 1962 and combines a modern interior with traditional elements. Inside are communion vessels made by Jakob Ängman. Kornskruven was formerly a grain store and now houses an industrial museum with collections on the local history of mining and iron processing.

Hofors Hembygdsgård is housed in a wooden workers’ residence from the 1870s that belonged to the ironworks. Three residential periods are presented there through a single-room dwelling from the 1880s, an apartment from the 1920s and an apartment from the 1950s. Hofors Hembygdsgård also has a permanent exhibition about Kerstin Hesselgren.

Hofors Herrgård was built by the industrial Petre family between 1799 and 1803. The façade is characterised by simple neoclassicism, while the preserved interior displays both Rococo and neoclassical features. Stollgången is a 265-metre-long mine tunnel that opened at the end of the 18th century. The recreational area around Stollgången, popularly known as “Stollen”, is also accessible outside visiting hours.

Gammelstilla Bruk has origins dating back to the 1650s and a long history of iron processing. More than 200 varieties can be seen at the Pelargonium Museum.

Water and fishing

Lake Lissjön, about three kilometres from the centre of Hofors, is a put-and-take lake for rainbow trout fishing. Lissjön has five wind shelters, two toilets, spaces for caravans or motorhomes, and ten jetties. One of the jetties is accessible to wheelchair users.

At the Hubo-Långsjön put-and-take lake, 20 tonnes of rainbow trout are released each year. Hubo-Långsjön has 35 jetties and ten wind shelters. There is also an accessible fishing area with a jetty, wind shelter and toilet.

Golf

Hofors Golfklubb has an 18-hole course by Lake Storgösken, set in woodland and parkland. Hofors Golfklubb also offers golf lessons, a driving range and a practice area.

Food and drink

Gammelstilla Café, operated by Kanalkiosken, serves food and fika in summer in a historic ironworks setting. Gammelstilla Whisky holds tastings of the “Isak Mackey” and “Jern” whiskies; booking is required for these tastings.

Local pages

Hofors and Torsåker. Other destinations at the same regional level are Söderhamn, Ockelbo, Nordanstig, Gävle, Trönödal and Hudiksvall.

For the higher-level travel overview: Gävleborg.