Säffle: Canal, Art and Active Days Away

Säffle combines a rich canal history with public art, hiking trails, cycling routes and experiences by the water. If you are looking for a place to spend your holiday where culture and outdoor activities can be enjoyed in different ways, you will find several clearly distinct options here. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can therefore consider whether historical impressions, active days or experiences on the water should be the focus of your trip.

Canal History in the Centre of Säffle

In Säffle’s canal area, a historic walking trail runs between historic buildings in the town centre. Stenmagasinet is a notable example of the area’s history. The workers who built the Säffle Canal in the 1830s once lived there. The centre is also home to the only lock on the Säffle Canal. This section is also the only excavated part of the canal.

The Säffle Canal extends for approximately 80 kilometres from Säffle to Arvika, Sweden’s most inland port. The waterway thus provides a broader geographical context, while the town centre offers a particularly concentrated view of the canal and its history. A visit can therefore be planned as a short cultural highlight or as part of a varied day.

Art between Water and Town

Art is also part of Säffle’s visible character. Säffle Zoo is a sculpture collection by the artist Eka Acosta. Säffle’s old water tower was built of brick in the early 20th century, based on a design by architect Ivar Tengbom. Today, it houses a restored art gallery with regular summer exhibitions.

Another public art installation is the Emoticon circuit near Säffle simhall and Tegnérskolan. Together with the historic walking trail and the facilities in the canal area, this creates a programme in which you can experience different forms of art without limiting your holiday to a single exhibition venue.

Hiking, Pilgrimage Trail and Mountain Biking

For a longer hike, the route between the town of Säffle and By Church is an interesting option: it forms part of the Pilgrimsleden Västra Värmland pilgrimage trail. If you would rather go mountain biking than hiking, you can plan a ride on the 8.6 km MTB Tegner Trail. It is marked in orange and technically easy, but passes through old forest with some challenging climbs and fast sections. In places, there are roots and stones. These different trail characteristics help you plan your day according to your preferences, without all activities having to be equally demanding.

Water, Fishing and Relaxed Breaks

Zander is fished in the Byälven in the centre of Säffle. The fishing area is divided into three zones with different conditions. Säffle simhall expands the options with a 50-metre pool, play areas and a relaxation area. When planning your trip, you can therefore alternate between time by the river, an active route through the forest and a more leisurely visit to the swimming centre.

For a short break by the canal, Kanalcaféet serves ice cream and coffee beside the gently flowing water. It is precisely this combination of specific activities and simple stop-offs that makes it possible to vary your days. Accommodation in Säffle can therefore suit a holiday where the same type of outing is not on the programme every day.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Säffle, you can also view the pages for Svanskog, Nysäter, Kila, Långserud and Högsäter.

For the higher-level travel overview: Säffle.