Discover Hallstahammar

Hallstahammar combines nature experiences, waterways and an unusually vivid industrial history. Families and other travelers can choose between short walks, more challenging activity days, art and historical sites. When looking for a suitable holiday apartment, the desired mix is therefore particularly important: Should the trip focus on observing nature, culture, cycling or a canoe tour?

Rapids, forest and waterside paths

The Sörkvarnsforsen nature reserve is a distinctive natural area. Its banks are covered with deciduous forest, with islands in the rapids in between. Sörkvarnsforsen is also one of the last undeveloped stretches of rapids on the Kolbäcksån. This makes the area an exciting destination for anyone who wants to experience the landscape not merely as a backdrop, but as a defining part of their trip.

Valstasjön also offers its own natural character. It is home to numerous amphibians, especially toads and the endangered great crested newt. The approximately 3.5-kilometer-long Valstaspåret runs through this landscape as a marked trail, with orange markings on the trees. It is easy to walk and is therefore suitable for a manageable circuit when there is time between longer excursions for a quieter experience of nature.

Blacksmithing culture and locks as living history

Trångfors smedja dates back to 1628. During the annual Trångforsdagen, the forge is demonstrated in operation with a Lancashire hearth, blower machine and hammer. A reconstructed Lancashire hearth can also be used at Trångfors smedja. The site’s coal house dates from the 19th century and is one of the few surviving buildings of its kind in Sweden. During parts of the year, guided tours, visits and activities are offered there.

The old Trångfors power station opens by appointment. An appointment can be arranged by calling 0220 – 174 09. Anyone who wants to deliberately include historical technology in their trip should therefore plan this visit in advance. In the Skantzen cultural area, an exhibition presents the history of the Strömsholm Canal. Among other things, visitors can see a working lock model and tools used to build the canal. Guided tours can be booked through Svedvi Bergs hembygdsförening.

The canal area also includes distinctive lock facilities: Sörkvarn is the only triple lock on the Strömsholm Canal, while Skantzens sluss, as a double lock, is an important part of the lock environment in Hallstahammar. These differences provide additional orientation during a visit without requiring the facilities to form a single circular route.

Art, cycling and a canoe tour

In addition to its industrial heritage, Hallstahammar offers various cultural attractions. The Thore Skogmans Museum collects records, books, personal belongings, stage costumes and stories about Thore Skogman, keeping his musical heritage accessible. Hallstahammars konsthall presents several new exhibitions every year, including painting, photography, sculpture, film and handicrafts.

A roughly five-kilometer circuit through Hallstahammar passes public artworks, cultural and historical environments, water and central areas. It is easily accessible and suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Those who prefer to be active on a bicycle can find an MTB trail through the forest at Motionscentrum, with singletrack trails, roots and bends. The trail is part of Trails of Västmanland.

For a longer excursion on the water, the launch point for the canoe route from Hallstahammar to Strömsholm is located at Sörkvarnsbron. The canoe tour takes approximately four to five hours. To return to the starting point, paddlers can take the bus to Hallstahammar from Borgåsund or Strömsholm. This information helps with planning the day, especially if you want to use the holiday apartment as a base for different types of excursions.

Which holiday apartment suits your travel plans?

When looking for a holiday apartment in Hallstahammar, it is worth deciding on the main focus of your stay first. Those interested in culture can combine visits to the forge, locks, museums and exhibitions. For days spent in nature, Sörkvarnsforsen, Valstasjön and Valstaspåret offer different landscape experiences. Anyone planning an active trip should take the approximate duration of the canoe tour or the condition of the MTB trail into account when making their plans.

You can find more information on the page about Kolbäck.

To the overarching travel overview: Hallstahammar.