Holiday apartment in Surahammar: Nature, birdlife and industrial history

The municipality of Surahammar has 14 nature reserves with significant natural and cultural values. The municipality’s nature reserves offer marked trails, information boards and parking areas.

Nature

The Rövalls and Stingsmossen nature reserves can be explored on foot via the Bruksleden trail; overnight stays are possible at Rövallskojan. Both reserves are home to rare fungi and a rich variety of birdlife. An open-air church is used at Stingsberget.

At Hälleskogsbrännan, you can observe the effects of the 2014 forest fire and nature’s recovery. The area has several trails, rest areas, barbecue areas and a lookout tower. Several areas of Hälleskogsbrännan are accessible with a pram or wheelchair.

Gnien is a birdwatching lake with a birdwatching tower and birdlife that can be seen year-round. Fishing with a fishing licence is permitted there during parts of the year. At Gnien, the Kolbäcksån widens into a lake.

Culture

Ramnäs bruk was founded in 1590 by Katarina Stenbock, the widow of Gustav Wasa. Ramnäs bruk includes a Lancashire forge as well as the well-preserved Schenströmska and Tersmedenska manor houses. The historic Spången bridge over the rapids has been preserved as part of Ramnäs’s industrial heritage.

The Surahammars Bruksmuseum is housed in a former workshop building. There, visitors can follow the entire production chain from pig iron to finished railway wheels. A guided tour lasts approximately one hour.

Along the historic walking trail through Surahammar, signs provide information about the development of the ironworks from the 17th century onwards. The trail passes Hofgårds sluss lock, where signs explain the importance of the lock for shipping. The historic walking trail is approximately 3 kilometres long and suitable for prams and wheelchairs.

Stenhuset was built in 1847 as a residence for six blacksmith families. Its upper floor is an art gallery, where exhibitions by local and other artists as well as craftspeople have been held over the years. Stenhuset also has a café where visitors can get coffee and tea as well as homemade sweet yeast buns and cakes.

Virsbo bruksområde includes a historic works street, locks and a functionalist-style art gallery.

Activities

Virsbo has an 18-hole disc golf course that runs through a scenic forest setting. Surahammars Golfklubb has an 18-hole parkland course with open fairways, water hazards and wooded sections.

The illuminated running track in Surahammar is 3,300 metres long when starting at Ekängen. The illuminated running track in Virsbo is 2,500 metres long and is located by Skräddartorpet east of Virsbo.

Water

The Strömsholms canal runs through the municipality of Surahammar and is used as a recreational route for pleasure boats. The entire Strömsholms canal has been listed as a protected heritage site since 1990.

Other places to explore afterwards: Strömsholm, Hallstahammar, Skinnskatteberg, Arboga, Fagersta and Kungsör.

For the main travel overview: Västmanland.