Holiday apartment in Hagfors: waterfalls, forests and trails

Hagfors showcases its scenic side at Brattfallet: The waterfall is 10 metres high, and below it the Halgån flows through a gorge.

Nature and landscape

A 1-kilometre circular trail near Brattfallet is easy to walk. It leads to the old log-driving dam and passes an old charcoal-burning site. The Halgåleden is just under 7 kilometres long, demanding in places, and has an elevation difference of 122 metres. As a quality-assured Värmlandsleder trail, it has well-maintained bridges, boardwalks and rest areas; signage is available in Swedish, English and German.

The municipality's nature reserves include Fräkensjömyrarna, Bollåsen and Mana-Örbäcken. Fräkensjömyrarna protects a valuable wetland complex, forest vegetation, the water balance, biodiversity and the area's wilderness character, and is part of the Natura 2000 network. The Bollåsen nature reserve in Hagfors Municipality consists mainly of open pine forest with trees that are 150 to 200 years old. It lies on glacial meltwater deposits shaped by the erosion of the Klarälven over several millennia. Bollåsen is easy to walk through; a road runs through the area.

The Mana-Örbäcken nature reserve covers 27 hectares. Numerous trails run along the babbling Örbäcken and across the Mana boulder ridge covered with pine trees. Kärnåsens Rovdjursexpo presents Scandinavia's four large predators: bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine. Moose, golden eagles and capercaillies can also be seen there.

Trails and routes

For longer hikes, the Svartåleden trail leads over ridges and through gorges in an unspoilt forest landscape. The trail is 19 kilometres long. The Klarälvsbanan also combines exercise and scenery: The paved, car-free route between Karlstad and Hagfors is 90 kilometres long, suitable for cycling and inline skating, and offers several access points. In Hagfors, the Klarälvsbanan connects to the 120-kilometre Klarälvsleden, which continues to Sysslebäck.

Another route is the dressin route from the Hagfors Järnvägsmuseum to Stjärnsfors kvarn. As a round trip, it is approximately 12 kilometres long; there are opportunities to rest along the way.

Culture and history

The Hagfors Järnvägsmuseum presents Hagfors's industrial history from 1635 to 1990. Exhibits include steam locomotives, electric locomotives, carriages and work equipment, including the Ånghästen from 1862. The Monica Zetterlund Memorial Museum presents the artist through photographs, music, stage costumes and an exhibition from her early years. It also conveys the life of the industrial town and the music and sports history that shaped Monica's upbringing.

In Svartåhyttan are the remains of a dam, furnace ruins and other industrial relics from early iron production dating from the 17th to the 19th century.

Getting there and information

From Hagfors Airport, Stockholm Arlanda can be reached in 50 minutes; there is free parking directly in front of the terminal. Regional bus services in Värmland County are operated by Värmlandstrafik AB. On weekdays, approximately 20 services run from Karlstad to Hagfors on routes 300 and 600.

The Fräkensjömyrarna nature reserve can be reached from Hagfors via Geiersholm, Gustavsfors and Laggåsen. Signposts lead to the car park. During the spring thaw, the access road is closed by a barrier. The Hagfors tourist information office provides information about attractions and activities, books accommodation and activities, offers free internet access and sells fishing permits.

Other places

The local pages also provide information on Ekshärad, Hagfors, Råda, Uddeholm, Sunnemo, Gustav Adolf, Lakene and Höje. These local pages offer additional destinations within the municipality.

For the higher-level travel overview: Värmland.