At Siljansfors Forest Museum, forestry facilities in their natural surroundings stand alongside the ruins of an ironworks that operated from 1738 to 1876. The open-air museum thus brings together forest history and a tangible legacy of the region’s former iron production. Mora lies on the northern shore of Siljan and offers more to discover, from cultural heritage and crafts to landscapes.
Industrial heritage, timber and Zorn
Today’s Mora Church dates from the late 15th century. The church preserves a choir cope and a chasuble donated by the priest Daniel Svinhufvud in the 15th century. In the cemetery is the tomb of artist Anders Zorn and his wife Emma, designed by Christian Eriksson.
The wooden buildings also tell different stories. Zorn’s Gammelgård is an open-air museum with Sweden’s most significant collection of historic wooden houses. Many wooden houses have also been preserved in Ovansiljan, particularly from the Middle Ages. Zorngården preserves an interior dating from around the turn of the 20th century. Advance booking is recommended for the guided tours, which last about 45 minutes.
The Zorn Museum has the world’s largest collection of works by the famous artist and is open year-round. Check current opening hours before your visit. Gopsmor was Anders Zorn’s combined wilderness studio and fishing hut; access is seasonal. Södra Flenarna is considered the best-preserved summer pasture hut in Mora and was designated a listed building in 1982.
You can also discover crafts through the making process: Nils Olsson Dalahästar has been making Dala horses by hand outside Mora since 1928. Visitors can see every step, from a raw piece of wood to the finished, painted horse, and paint their own Dala horse. Check seasonal arrangements and availability in advance. At Snickars Brukshästar, carriage or sleigh rides end with a simple coffee break; here, too, it is advisable to check availability in advance.
Bogs, forests and peaks
The landscape takes many forms. Anjosvarden encompasses three treeless upland peaks, known as Varder, and is considered one of Dalarna’s largest roadless areas. An orange-marked trail runs 3.5 kilometres each way to the summit. The bogs there are valuable for birdlife; species such as the ruff and the broad-billed sandpiper can be spotted.
Norra Mora Wilderness contains extensive, undisturbed bogs and old-growth forests with a primeval feel. There are hiking and snowmobile trails, while the area’s cabins are not open to the public. An 11-kilometre route each way passes through Norra Mora Wilderness and the Våmhuskölen Nature Reserve, passing a wind shelter along the way.
At Gesundaberget, geological traces of a meteorite impact from 380 million years ago are visible. From there, you can appreciate the scale of the Siljan Ring; Siljan and Orsasjön form its preserved western section. Near Siljansfors, forest and nature trails of 3, 2.5 and 5 kilometres, as well as a 1,100-metre children’s trail, offer more options.
Exploring in different seasons
In Mora and its scenic surroundings, you can hike, cycle and mountain bike on forest trails. The Vasaloppet Arena trails are marked with symbols for skiers, cyclists and hikers. Cycling and hiking are not permitted on private property, so follow local signs. In winter, Mora also offers downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and ice skating.
The Vasaloppet spans two intense weeks, one in summer and one in winter. Its various races attract almost 100,000 participants; event dates vary each year. In summer, visitors can swim, play or go boating in Lake Aurora at Tomteland. The 18-hectare Sagolandet Tomteland is a fairytale world of magical settings and buildings. Check the current summer programme before visiting.
Mora is accessible by car, train, bus and boat. The steamboat M/S Gustav Wasa operates on Siljan between Mora, Rättvik and Leksand. As services are seasonal, it is advisable to check specific sailing dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Gesunda, Gopshus, Mora, Venjan, Våmhus, Sollerön, Johannisholm, Rättvik.
For the overview of the wider region: Dalarna County.
