Holiday apartment in Gräsmark: Lakes, Forest and Culture

Gräsmark combines green slopes descending towards Lakes Rottnen and Grässjön with farms along the shores and dense coniferous forest around the valley. At the same time, the area has three nature reserves, numerous hiking trails and several bathing spots. Between water, forest, open landscapes and historical traces, many different facets come together here in a compact area.

Nature and Water

The numerous lakes and waterways in Gräsmark offer good opportunities for swimming, paddling and fishing. The fishing waters include Sweden’s southernmost mountain lake outside the actual mountain region, with a population of Arctic char. The fishing areas of Rottnen, Kymmen and Norra Gräsmark comprise around 50 waters where fishing is possible. The most commonly caught species are perch, pike and trout.

At the Lillsjön bathing area in Uddheden, there is a long sandy-bottomed beach as well as a jetty and changing rooms; from there, visitors have a view of Gräsmark Church. A stream near Ambiastorpsslingan is home to freshwater pearl mussels. Kalvhöjden Nature Reserve was established in 1972 to preserve and maintain an old cultural landscape in the Finnish settlement region and its species-rich flora.

Hiking and Landscape

Within Sunne Municipality, most of the hiking trails are located in the area around Gräsmark; together with connecting trails, they form a network of 50 kilometres. Along the Gruvrundan trail are remains of copperworks, ore-processing plants, mines, an ore transport cableway, spoil heaps and a soapstone quarry. The hyperite rock along the Gruvrundan trail supports a distinctive, independent flora with several rare species.

Near Tiskaretjärn, traditional cattle breeds, including red-and-white and Rotkulla cattle, as well as Värmland sheep, keep the cultural landscape open. The Ängenleden hiking trail passes numerous remains of former Finnish settlements, including house foundations, clearance cairns, pit traps and dugout pits. Along the Ängenleden hiking trail, there are numerous rest areas as well as several shelters where overnight stays are possible.

Waterways and Rest Areas

The canoe route on the Rottnan is 11.6 kilometres long in total, follows the Rottnan River past Uddheden and then continues across Lake Rottnen. Along the canoe route on the Rottnan, there are three equipped rest areas where fires may be lit.

Culture and History

Gräsmark Church is a stone church built in 1738 on a promontory in Lake Lillsjön. Its ceiling is painted with the motif of the Last Judgment; the painter was Erik Jonaeus.

Storgruvan in Mangen was mined from 1564 onwards; primarily copper and also iron were extracted. Mining was carried out intermittently for around 300 years and was finally discontinued around the turn of the 20th century. In 1759, Högfors Bruk comprised two bar-iron finery forges with an annual smithing output of 600 ship pounds, as well as an ironworks, a sawmill, a mill and forest holdings.

The Gräsmark open-air museum displays an old Finnish hut from the period of Finnish immigration to Sweden in the 17th century. The Gräsmark open-air museum and its café are open during the summer months. From 1 July onwards, Nävgröt and pork are served on Fridays at the Gräsmarks Hembygdsförening.

Winter and Bathing Areas

In Uddheden and near Hedås, there are illuminated cross-country ski tracks, each approximately 2.5 kilometres long. When conditions permit, ski tracks and skating lanes are prepared on Lake Ängsjön. A popular sledding hill is located near Rokkmakkstugan; visitors can warm up around an open fire in the log cabin.

Stranna on Kymmen is a 40-metre-long, south-facing bathing cove with a sandy or gravel bottom, jetty, tables, barbecue area and shelter. Near the campsite, Grässjön has an approximately 200-metre-long sandy beach accessible via a small car park on the road towards Torsby. There are two bathing areas at Ängsjön, including one with an accessible jetty, as well as a changing room and tables.

More Destinations

More destination pages: Långserud, Filipstad, Forshaga, Brunskog, Grums, Hammarö, Arvika, Kristinehamn.

To the higher-level travel overview: Värmland.