Brattfors: Ironworks, Church and Hiking Trails

In Brattfors, striking architectural history meets trails through the landscape. Brattfors Church and Brattforshyttan ironworks tell different chapters of the area’s story; the Brattforsleden trail passes the old ironworks in Brattfors. There are also marked hiking trails on Brattforsheden and natural attractions in the surrounding area. If you are planning a family trip, you can include cultural and nature interests in your plans and consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay.

Church and Ironworks History

Brattfors Church was consecrated in 1669 and built as a wooden longhouse. Its very steep roof is covered with tarred shingles. According to local tradition, one of the tower’s louvres is kept permanently open. The building’s design and this traditional detail give you specific features to look out for as you explore the area’s history.

Another highlight is Brattforshyttan, one of the best-preserved ironworks in Värmland. It was first mentioned in Gustav Vasa’s land register in 1540. The present-day complex consists mainly of a blast furnace and a roasting furnace. Those interested in historic sites will find a different perspective on Brattfors’ history here than at the church: the focus is on the surviving parts of the ironworks. You can therefore consider the two sites as separate cultural interests when planning your trip, rather than treating them as a single destination.

Hiking on Brattforsheden

The Brattforsleden is a 24-kilometre hiking trail marked in orange. It passes the old ironworks in Brattfors. This makes the trail especially interesting if you would also like to connect your hike with the history of the ironworks. Its length of 24 kilometres is an important consideration for planning your day; no further details about walking time or difficulty are implied.

Brattforsheden has a total of 75 kilometres of marked hiking trails. The trails are marked in orange, yellow, blue and green. Hiking trails and nature paths start at several places, including Brattforshyttan. This gives you a choice of additional marked trails on Brattforsheden alongside the Brattforsleden itself. When planning, it is useful to distinguish between the specifically described 24-kilometre trail and the larger network of trails overall.

Nature Attractions and Places to Visit

At Kittelfältet, a short circular trail passes several kettle holes, including Lake Sundstjärnen, with its turquoise water. This is a separate nature outing in addition to the longer hiking trails. The Brattfors brandfält is also nearby, about 2.5 kilometres south of Brattfors; it is part of the Natura 2000 network.

Krigsflygfält 16 is also located on Brattforsheden. This cultural reserve contains well-preserved remains from the Second World War. Visitors can walk among the remains. If you would like to learn about this part of the past as well as the history of the ironworks and church, you can include it as a separate interest in your plans.

Brattfors as a Starting Point for Your Trip

Värmlandstrafik bus route 400 runs across Brattforsheden and stops at Brattfors, among other places. Your personal priorities can guide your choice of location: do you want your trip to focus mainly on hiking trails, nature attractions or historic sites?

For more guidance in the same wider area, you can also explore Gåsborn, Filipstad, Lesjöfors, Nordmarkshyttan, Persberg and Nykroppa.

Return to the wider travel overview: Filipstad.