Idkerberget brings together two distinct themes for a stay: the town’s mining and railway history, and the trails in nearby Gyllbergen. The historical story stretches from mining in the 18th century to facilities dating from around 1900; the nature area has marked summer and winter trails. This gives you a useful choice to make early in your planning: should your stay focus mainly on the town’s history, or would you prefer to focus on trails and facilities in the surrounding area?

Mining history in several stages

Mining was already taking place in Idkerberget in the 18th century. Around 1900, the new mine opened, with a cableway to Ulfshyttan. During the period of intensified mineral extraction around the turn of the century, the existing headframes for personnel and ore transport were built; the office next to the headframes was also built in connection with this. The ore hoist tower is one of the few surviving structures from Idkerberget’s former mining activity.

Chapel and railway history

Idkerberget’s chapel also has a history of its own: Idkerbergets Gruv AB built it in 1904 as a Folkets hus. Its history therefore did not begin as a chapel, but with its original function as a Folkets hus.

The railway line between Rämshyttan and Idkerberget is also part of the area’s transport history; it had its own station in 1912. The former station house in Idkerberget still stands on the property Idkerberget 8:16. An old railway warehouse stands on the property Idkerberget 1:4; the year 1913 is marked on its gable. This gives a timeline spanning several stages: mining dates back to the 18th century, the chapel was built in 1904, there was a station in 1912, and 1913 is marked on the warehouse gable.

Trails and getting your bearings in nearby Gyllbergen

Nearby Idkerberget is Gyllbergen, a high-altitude, roadless wilderness area. It has marked summer and winter trails, as well as shelters and cabins. Gyllbergen Nature Reserve also has a rest area, a hiking trail, cross-country ski trails, a dry toilet and a warming hut. The marked trails and ski tracks highlight the difference between seasons; the rest area, toilet and warming hut cater to different needs for a break.

To reach Gyllbergen, follow the old road towards Idkerberget to the “Gyllberget 5” sign; it stands just north of Idkerberget. At Idkerberget, turn west to reach Spånsfäbodarna. The signposted trailhead is 3 km away and has parking, a toilet and a rest cabin. These two directions describe different routes and starting points, so you can use them separately depending on your destination.

If you choose to focus on nature, the trail type and starting point are the next practical choices to make.

Discover more destinations: Borlänge, Backgården.

Return to the main travel overview: Borlänge.