There are 22 nature reserves in the municipality of Borlänge; nine of them are managed and owned by the municipality. These nine areas serve as destinations for outings and everyday exercise. Historic buildings, collections and waterways also tell stories of how people lived and travelled in the past. As you explore, you can experience nature reserves with distinct features, such as birdlife and wetlands, a deep ravine, or trails through a roadless wilderness area.

Buildings and stories from different eras

Ornässtugan stands at its original location on Lake Runn, between Borlänge and Falun. The wooden building dates from the early 16th century. The Ornässtugan Museum opened in 1758 and is considered Sweden’s second-oldest museum. These two dates refer to different things: the age of the building and the opening of the museum. Ornässtugan’s café makes its baked goods on site and also offers options for people who avoid gluten, milk or eggs. The offerings may change.

Gammelgården offers another way to discover Borlänge’s historical roots. The open-air museum comprises 35 buildings and thousands of objects. Midsummer celebrations, Christmas markets, dance evenings and outdoor church services are held here; dates vary. A café serving lunch is open in summer. For your visit, this means that the buildings and collections offer insight into history, while events and seasonal café offerings can provide an additional, time-specific reason to visit.

Torsång Church is considered the oldest church in Dalarna and has largely retained its original appearance. It is located at a historic meeting point on the headland between the outflows from Runn and Ösjön into the Dalälven. In the past, the waterways were important transport routes. The site therefore connects the history of the church with the importance of waterways in earlier times.

Birdlife, a ravine and outdoor trails

Holmsjöarna shows just how varied the landscape of the nature reserves can be. The area includes reeds, marshland, shore meadows, grazing land, fields, lakes and waterways, as well as deciduous and coniferous forests. These different habitats support a rich variety of birdlife. There are birdwatching towers and boardwalks for visitors. A marked trail of about three kilometres runs between two car parks, with detours leading to birdwatching towers and a rest area. The trail, birdwatching towers and rest area are accessible year-round. Check local advice on the condition of the boardwalks and the protection of wildlife before your visit.

Frostbrunnsdalen offers a different kind of landscape: this nature reserve is a steep, deep ravine with lush vegetation and a rich variety of plant and animal life. Several trails and rest areas provide access to the area; a café is open in summer. If you compare the nature reserves, the focus here is on the ravine and its diverse vegetation, while Holmsjöarna is known mainly for its habitats and birdlife.

Gyllbergen, in turn, is a high-altitude, roadless wilderness area. It has huts, wind shelters, and marked summer and winter trails. The many kilometres of trails make it possible to go on extended hikes and ski tours away from roads and traffic noise. Trail conditions vary by season. Gyllbergen is therefore suited to longer excursions, while the trails at Holmsjöarna are described in terms of their marked loop and detours to observation points and rest areas.

Cycling routes and winter sports

There are several options for cycling trips, too. Bysjörundan is a cycling route just over ten kilometres long in northern Borlänge. It passes through Kvarnsveden and Sör Amsberg and can also be walked. Red posts with white crosses mark the route; there are 17 information boards and four rest areas along the way. The Bjusanleden mountain bike trail starts in Plättbacken and runs to Bjusan. Runn Runt follows the scenic surroundings of Lake Runn between Falun and Borlänge, mostly on asphalt and partly on gravel roads. This information helps you choose based on route type and surface, not on any travel time inferred from it.

For skiing, Romme Alpin is 13 kilometres outside Borlänge. It offers skiing in all four directions, 34 ski runs, 14 lifts and a large beginners’ area. Since the number of runs and lifts may change, check the latest operating details before travelling. Gyllbergen, by contrast, has marked winter trails for ski tours in a roadless wilderness area. The two destinations therefore offer different experiences: ski runs and lifts at one, and winter touring trails at the other.

More discoveries

At the 2047 Science Center, visitors can explore natural and technical sciences through hands-on activities, including a climbing wall, a steel exhibition, a slot-car track and a planetarium. Äventyrsgruvan in Tuna Hästberg offers a different experience: it is located in a former mine that closed in 1968 and offers visitors the chance to go underground. Check booking and safety requirements before visiting. Together, these attractions show the many different ways to discover Borlänge and its surroundings—from science exhibitions and historic sites to trails through nature reserves.

Discover more destinations: Borlänge, Idkerberget, Backgården, Leksand, Avesta, Gagnef, Falun, Smedjebacken.

Back to the main travel overview: Dalarna County.