Siljan Geopark is Sweden’s first national geopark. At several geosites with outstanding geological and natural values, you can experience the area’s environment. In Rättvik, you can combine this perspective on the landscape and the history of the Earth with trails, museums and cultural sites.

Explore geology and gorges

Amtjärnsbrottet is a disused limestone quarry rich in fossils from the Cambrian and Silurian periods. You can reach the area via Riksväg 70, through the centre of Rättvik towards Mora. North of the centre, turn off at Kullsbergs Kalk and follow the signs after about four kilometres. The approximate distance is provided to help with directions; it is not a travel time.

The trails also lead through striking landscapes. Tre toppar runs through the lush Dalen Nature Reserve, also known as Vitsippsdalen. This moderately challenging hiking trail is 7.5 kilometres long. In the Dalen section, lush flora, abundant birdlife and a gorge landscape shape the experience of nature. If you are interested in hiking, this offers a tangible connection between the trail and the landscape, rather than just a viewpoint.

In Styggforsen Nature Reserve, the Enån River plunges through a dramatic gorge, forming a 36-metre-high waterfall. A circular trail about one kilometre long passes through a damp old-growth forest with rare mosses, lichens and orchids. The route combines views of the waterfall with a walk through a distinctive habitat; an approximate length is given for the trail.

Distinguish trails by length and type

For a shorter route, there is the six-kilometre out-and-back trail from Söderås to Vidablick, available outside the snow season. You can run, walk or cycle there. The Dalhallarundan is different: this 26-kilometre circular cycling route starts and ends at the Resecentrum in Rättvik. It is described as easy to ride, with some hilly sections. The two options therefore differ both in length and in format: an out-and-back route for one, a loop for the other.

The Dalhallarundan is specifically certified by Trafikverket. The certification confirms the route’s high quality, clear signage and traffic safety. If you would rather consider a longer hike than a cycling route, you can also look at the hiking section of Siljansleden: in 2019, the Swedish Tourist Association (Svenska Turistföreningen) selected it as one of Sweden’s twelve Signature Trails. This distinction applies to the hiking section and the year it was selected.

Cultural history on Lake Siljan

Rättvik Church (Rättviks kyrka) stands on the shore of Lake Siljan and dates back to the 13th century. The church has Dalarna’s oldest trio of bells. Around it, 87 historic church stables have been preserved; some date from the 18th and 19th centuries, while the oldest stable dates from the 1470s. Different eras can thus be seen side by side here, although the buildings do not all date from the same period.

Rättvik’s Gammelgård offers another perspective on life in the community in earlier times. The site includes around 30 buildings from different periods and villages in the municipality, and is laid out as a traditional Rättvik farmstead from the farming community. The collection preserves more than 3,500 objects, including a 12th-century wool basket decorated with Viking motifs.

Rättvik Cultural Centre (Rättviks kulturhus) brings together a library, picture archive, art gallery and natural history museum. The museum presents the development of the Siljan region, from the formation of the Earth and the meteorite impact to the present day. Activities for all age groups take place at the cultural centre throughout the year. For those interested in crafts, Rättviks Hemslöjd, at the square by the fountain, offers handmade items in wood, metal, textiles and ceramics. Those who want to make crafts themselves can also find materials, patterns and literature there; the museum displays traditional costumes from Rättvik, Boda and Ore.

Dalhalla and travel planning

Dalhalla is an open-air arena in a former limestone quarry in the forest outside Rättvik. Limestone extraction there ended in 1990. The arena can only be accessed through guided tours, which cover Dalhalla’s history and geology, from the meteorite impact to today’s concert arena. Check the current tour options before travelling. Rättvik can be reached by road, as well as by direct train and bus connections. If you plan to visit Rättviks Marknad, note that the market takes place every spring and autumn, and the exact dates vary from year to year.

Discover more destinations: Rättvik, Bäck, Vikarbyn, Furudal, Enviken, Böda, Malung-Sälen, Älvdalen.

Return to the main travel overview: Dalarna County.