Svärdsjö offers several perspectives on landscape and culture: in the Isalanäset Nature Reserve, wooded shores and a former cultural landscape shape the scenery; in Kyrkbyn stands the former home of sculptor Arvid Backlund, with its art collections. There are also paths along Lake Svärdsjön, a bathing area and seasonal events. When planning your visit, it is worth considering the options based on your preferred focus: observing nature, art or spending time by the water.

Peninsula, Cultural Landscape and Lakeside Nature Watching

The Isalanäset Nature Reserve extends into Lake Svärdsjön as a hilly, almost entirely forested peninsula. It also includes an old cultural landscape: fields and meadows were once cultivated and later abandoned; rich natural values have since developed there. Marked paths and information boards help you find your way around the area and explore this landscape in its own way.

From the car park, a level gravel path leads to the entrance area; the route is well suited to pushchairs. Olars näs offers a different natural setting: this small headland lies in Lake Svärdsjön, just north of Svärdsjö. There, you can walk close to the water and grazing animals, and watch or listen to birds in the deciduous forest. The choice between the two nature areas comes down to a clear difference in focus: Isalanäset offers marked paths and information boards amid a former cultural landscape; at Olars näs, the lakeside walk and birds in the deciduous forest take centre stage.

Art and Traditional Events

The former home of sculptor Arvid Backlund is in Kyrkbyn, Svärdsjö, and houses sculpture and art collections. The two studio rooms and the living area, with its many works of art, are on display. The presentation therefore includes both the studios and the living area of the house.

Separate exhibitions by other artists are held at Arvid Backlundgården in summer. Every year, the Gammelgården local heritage farm hosts a traditional Midsummer celebration; its programme can vary from year to year. When planning your dates, keep in mind these two distinct timings: summer exhibitions on the one hand, and an annual celebration with a variable programme on the other. Check the specific dates before your visit.

Lakeside Path, Bathing Area and Canoe Route

Svärdsjöstigen is a two-kilometre lakeside path along Lake Svärdsjön between Gruvbacken and Höganäsbadet. The named endpoints and stated length make it easy to include this walk as a separate part of your day’s plans. Höganäsbadet bathing area has a bathing jetty, a changing room, a water-flush toilet and a place to refill drinking water. This lets you distinguish between a lakeside walk and time at the bathing area when planning your visit.

If you are planning a canoe trip on the Balungen–Runn route, allow for the 250-metre portage at Borgärdesströmmen. Route conditions can change, so check them before your trip. This lets you factor the specific portage into your route planning without confusing it with the conditions on the lakeside path or at the bathing area.

Discover more destinations: Linghed, Sundborn, Sågmyra, Bjursås, Falun, Enviken

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Falun.