Dals Långed: Art, Lakes and the Dalsland Canal

Located on Lake Råvarpen, Dals Långed combines art, waterscapes and trails with unusually tangible insights into craftsmanship and history. Stenebyskolan, the locks of the Dalsland Canal and the Bågenhuset Museum give the area distinct faces. If you are travelling with your family, you can combine cultural discoveries, a day at the beach and active outings without limiting your holiday to a single theme.

Art, Craft and Local History

Stenebyskolan is part of the University of Gothenburg and offers art courses in wood, metal and textiles. It also holds summer courses every year for working professionals and curious beginners. Dals Långed is therefore a place where engagement with materials and design is visibly part of its character.

The Steneby Konsthall fits into the vibrant art scene. It organises exhibitions and events focusing on material-based art and design and brings national and international creatives to Dals Långed. During the annual art walk in Dalsland, Dals Långed is a central location. This may be particularly interesting for your travel planning if you would like to combine exhibitions, craft-related themes and regional culture.

The area's history also offers various points of interest. Dals Långed Church was inaugurated in 1972 and includes a schoolhouse from the 1880s. Bågenhuset, a museum dating from the 17th century, is also located in the centre. The Enbågen family has collected historical household objects and furnishings from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries there. In Dals Långed, more recent architectural history, traditional everyday objects and contemporary design thus stand side by side.

Lakes, Locks and a Swimming Area

The waterscape can be experienced in various ways. In Dals Långed, there is a municipal swimming area called Kampudden at Långbrohöljen. Anyone wishing to plan time by the water can put this swimming area on the itinerary as a separate activity.

In Dals Långed, the Dalsland Canal runs between Råvarpen and Lake Laxsjön via six locks and past two power stations. A special stop is Långbron Lock: it is number 15 on the Dalsland Canal and connects Lake Långbrohöljen with Lake Laxsjön. When the lock is open, the lock café serves canal ice cream and waffles, while visitors can watch the passing boats. You should take the requirement that the lock be open into account when planning this experience.

Walks and Longer Routes

For shorter exercise sessions, Dals Långed has the three Motionsspåren Södra exercise and hiking trails. They are between 4 and 7 km long and can be included in a daily itinerary with different focuses. The starting point for several exercise trails is the ski lodge above Ekhagsskolan and Ekhagsvallen.

Designated natural attractions can also be found outside the area. The Ånäsebäcken Nature Reserve lies about 5 km south of Dals Långed on Road 2218, which is called Route 2218 – Vackra byars väg. The reserve invites visitors to go for walks and explore. Baldersnäs, also a nature reserve, lies immediately north of Dals Långed. This allows you to alternate between destinations in the area and excursions into the surrounding countryside, depending on your daily itinerary.

For cycle tourists, the second stage of the Lelångeleden runs 45 km from Gustavsfors to Dals Långed. The route from Bengtsfors to Dals Långed follows the national Unionsleden cycle route; along the way, the trail runs beside the Dalsland Canal on an old railway embankment. If you are planning a longer cycling tour, these two routes are important reference points when planning your trip.

Finding the Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When searching for a holiday apartment in Dals Långed, you can first decide which of these aspects should shape your holiday: art and design, local history, water-based experiences, walks or a longer cycling tour. For a culture-focused stay, Stenebyskolan, Steneby Konsthall, the church and Bågenhuset are the main attractions. Anyone planning to visit the Dalsland Canal or Kampudden will set different priorities for their daily schedule. For a cycling tour, also consider the routes from Gustavsfors or Bengtsfors to Dals Långed.

You can also compare other destinations: Bäckefors, Bengtsfors, Gustavsfors, Ödskölt, Billingsfors.

To the overarching travel overview: Bengtsfors.