Holiday apartment in Säffle: Nature, culture and special experiences

Säffle offers experiences in nature and culture, as well as places connected to the history of the region. A prominent cultural site is von Echstedtska gården, one of Sweden’s best-preserved 18th-century manor houses. The estate offers guided tours, a café and an herb garden, as well as an orchard with a clone archive for 26 Värmland apple varieties.

Art can also be encountered in public spaces in distinctive ways. Säffle Zoo is a sculpture collection by the artist Eka Acosta. The Säffle Emoticon Circuit is a public art installation by Signe Johannessen and Erik Rören near Säffle swimming hall and Tegnérskolan. Along the Seffle Canal, you can explore the area on foot past historic buildings, including Stenmagasinet, which is more than 200 years old. From Kanalområdet, a walk of around 2 km also leads to Rolfserudsholmen. There you can see Säffle’s railway bridge, built in 1878 and still in operation.

Nature

The natural landscape ranges from protected archipelago areas to distinctive woodland habitats. The Lurö skärgård nature reserve was established in 1967 to preserve archipelago landscapes for reasons of natural and cultural history. Lurö skärgård is part of the European Union’s Natura 2000 network. Lurö has numerous hiking trails and attractions; it is also where the Västra Värmland Pilgrimsleden begins, leading past several churches to Säffle.

The Hösås nature reserve is home to one of the few ash woodlands in Värmland. It was established to promote nature studies and outdoor recreation for the general public. Another trace of earlier times can be found at the Ulvudden rock carvings on Värmlandsnäs. They include at least seven ships, three unidentifiable figures and 70 cup marks; they are probably dated to the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. The hiking trail from Ekenäs Camping and Guest Harbour leads to Sohuvudsudden, with panoramic views over Lake Vänern.

Active adventures

For cyclists, Säffle lies on stage 6 of the Unionsleden between Edsleskog and Borgvik. This stage is 60 km long. The Tegnérområdet area has mountain-biking trails with varied terrain, including a technically easy route through old-growth forest with challenging climbs and fast sections.

There are also specific activities on the water and along the shores. In the Byälven river in central Säffle, there are opportunities to fish for zander. Family-friendly fishing for zander, perch and pike is possible at Harefjorden. At Joytrail, the railbike ride takes around three hours there and back. It leads through forests and past lakes, as well as through the 263-metre-long Bollsbytunneln.

Culture and history

Several sites bring the region’s past to life. The Säffle Marine Engine Museum in Säffle Municipality displays around 200 old boat engines of various types directly beside the Seffle Canal. Svanskog Railway Station in Säffle Municipality preserves the ticket counter, waiting room and office from the railway era in their original condition. Nothing has been changed there since the last train service in 1966. Another museum in Säffle Municipality documents the development of rural areas from earlier times to highly mechanised agriculture and forestry.

Wiksfors Bruk in Säffle Municipality is an old industrial environment where various businesses have been based since the 17th century. Today, Wiksfors Bruk serves as a business hotel and combines small-scale production, reuse and creative collaboration in a historic industrial setting. The offerings on site include waffles and wood-fired pizza. At the neighbouring Ölseruds kvarn, locally produced grain is processed into flour for bread.

Värmlands Vikingacenter in Säffle Municipality offers a playground with a play ship, as well as wooden swords and shields for children. This means that, alongside historic sites and museums, the destination also has an offering specifically aimed at younger visitors.

Getting around the region

Säffle has good bus and train connections to Karlstad, Åmål and other destinations in Värmland.

Other places in the destination area: Högsäter, Nysäter, Svanskog, Säffle, Långserud, Kila.

Other destinations in the wider area: Karlstad, Sunne.

To the overview of trips in the wider area: Värmland.