Holiday apartment in Kristinehamn – hiking by Lake Vänern and discovering culture

Kristinehamn combines waterside trails, diverse natural surroundings and a multifaceted cultural history. Between Lake Vänern, forests, wetlands and historic sites, it offers a destination that brings together a variety of discoveries: extensive hiking trails, islands in the archipelago, outdoor art, museums and evidence from several centuries.

Hiking

Kristinehamn’s newest hiking trail has several rest areas; at the starting point there is also a barbecue area and a toilet. The 30-kilometre trail passes through a varied landscape with small ponds and lakes, wetlands, forests and pastureland. The Sannaleden hiking trail is shorter, at 6 kilometres, and partly follows Lake Vänern. The Three Islands Trail crosses footbridges between Vålön, Kalvön and Sibberön and is 4 kilometres each way. A boat trip is required for this trail; in summer, Båtbuss 97 runs from Vålösundsbryggan in the Kristinehamn archipelago.

Nature

Dyrön Nature Reserve combines rocky shores, bodies of water, forests and a traditional cultural landscape. The quality-assured Värmlandsleder trails Arskagsleden, Nötöleden and Prästöleden are located in Nötön-Åråsviken Nature Reserve. Inre Kilsviken is particularly important for wetland birds that breed and stop there during migration. The nature reserve of the same name has marked trails, three birdwatching towers and rest areas.

Culture and history

Kristinehamns Historiska presents a permanent historical exhibition about the town’s development from iron production. Guided tours explain how and why Kristinehamn became a town. Kristinehamn Church was inaugurated in 1858 and represents the breakthrough of the Gothic Revival in Sweden. Guided tours of the church can be booked through the parish office.

In summer, Östervik Chapel and the museum in the former dairy building are open to visitors. Östervik Chapel stands on a hill overlooking Varnumsviken. Southeast of Kristinehamn is the Järsberg Runestone, with an inscription dating from the 5th century. It stands beside Letstigen, an old route that led from the Lake Mälaren region through Värmland and on to Vestfold in Norway.

The art venues are also part of Kristinehamn’s identity. The Picasso sculpture stands by Lake Vänern in Kristinehamn, is 15 metres high and was inaugurated in 1965. An outdoor exhibition with information signs by the sculpture provides information about the artwork and its history. At Kristinehamns konstmuseum, guided tours of the current exhibition and the permanent exhibition in Kvadraten can be booked. The permanent exhibition is temporarily closed due to the renovation of the building. It presents several artists from the circle of Kristinehamn artists, as well as scholarship holders with roots in Värmland and Kristinehamn.

Kristinehamns Hembygdsgård is a historic site with older buildings, local history and a green park area. Guided tours can be booked for, among other places, Lundbomsgården, the mill and Mjölnargården. The grounds of Kristinehamns Hembygdsgård are open to the public at all times.

Local life and routes

In the Vågen district, a market day with handicrafts and locally produced food takes place on the last Saturday of every month. The Vålösundet promenade can be explored on foot. Near the Picasso sculpture, you can cycle along part of the Vänerleden cycling route. Kristinehamn’s centrally located railway station offers train connections to Stockholm, Gothenburg and Oslo.

Other places

Other local pages lead to Kristinehamn, Nybble, Ölme, Sörgården and Visnum.

To the higher-level travel overview: Värmland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Kil, Forshaga, Karlstad.