Säter’s town plan reveals a history that continues into the present: in 1642, Queen Kristina granted the town its charter. The plan drawn up at the time shows a distinctive grid that matches the layout of the town today. Trästaden Säter is designated an area of national interest for cultural heritage preservation and is considered one of Sweden’s best-preserved wooden towns. The old streets are home to restaurants and shops. In Säter, historic urban structure and everyday local life exist side by side.
A wooden town and church art
Säters kyrka also brings together different periods. Construction of the present-day church began in 1778; it was built in the neoclassical style. Inside are two medieval images of Christ from the former Dalsby Chapel. This offers you a close look at architectural history and older ecclesiastical art in one place.
The Mentalvårdsmuseet offers a different historical perspective: this psychiatric history museum is housed in a former ward at Säter Hospital. The hospital opened in 1912. The exhibition shows the living conditions of patients and staff at the hospital from 1912 through the 1980s and 1990s. This long time span makes changes in everyday life at the institution a central theme, rather than reducing its history to a single building or year.
Mining history along the Silverringen
The Silverringen is a cultural route through the historically shaped mining regions of Silvberg and Säter. At five particularly notable, developed visitor sites—Jönshyttan, Östra Silvberg, Grängshammar, Ulfshyttan and Bispberg—you can discover mining history in a scenic natural setting. The route illustrates how centuries of mining, with its mines, smelting works and hammer mills, shaped these communities. Rather than focusing on just one site, it connects different places and aspects of mining history.
Traces of this history can also be seen in Sördalen: a reconstruction of the waterwheel at Säterkonsta and part of the watercourse. Those interested in technical and craft-related heritage will find a different facet here than along the Silverringen. The Hembygdsmuseet Åsgårdarna, in turn, focuses on historic buildings: it comprises 23 structures arranged like a village, the oldest dating from the 17th century. Permanent exhibitions include Krukmakeriverkstaden and Smedjan.
Säterdalen and nature trails
Säterdalen is a five-kilometre-long ravine system with unique natural surroundings. Jungle-like deciduous forest grows on the slopes, with high biological value and great biodiversity. A six-kilometre-long hiking trail runs in one direction along the Ljusterån through the entire valley. Säterdalen is within walking distance of Säter station; the access route follows Kungsvägen north for a few hundred metres. This information helps you consider the valley, trail length and access as separate aspects of your plans.
The trail between Norddalen and Almbacken is adapted for accessibility and can be used by wheelchair users and people with strollers, as well as by people with visual impairments. Other trails offer different perspectives: hiking trails from Hyttbäcksbron lead to Säterdalen and Bispberg. The stone arch bridge at Solvarbo dates from 1868 to 1870. At Solvarboravinen, the depth reaches up to 30 metres in some places.
Views, forests and more to discover
A short walk through the forest leads to the Bispbergs Klack viewpoint, which overlooks large parts of southern Dalarna. The Bispbergs Klack nature reserve contains well-preserved old-growth forest. Bispberget is known for its southern flora and is considered Dalarna’s most significant mountain with southern flora. Together, these offer two distinct natural highlights: views across the landscape and unique plant life.
For cyclists, the Säter MTB Arena offers several Swedish miles of natural and purpose-built trails around Säter. This adds designated mountain bike trails as another option alongside the hiking trails, viewpoints and cultural route. You can choose which of these themes shapes your stay according to your interests, without having to follow a set itinerary.
Discoveries beyond the town centre
Stora Skedvi lies outside Säter. Its Hembygdsgård includes Kaplansgården, a listed historic building, a museum of agricultural tools and a child-friendly school museum. It also offers museums and exhibitions, as well as a summer café. The summer café is open seasonally. Also outside Säter, Skedvi Bröd traditionally bakes crispbread in ovens fired with spruce and pine wood. These glimpses of crafts, rural history and local production complement Säterdalen’s themes of town and nature.
Discover more destinations: Säter, Ludvika, Malung-Sälen, Avesta, Boda Kyrkby, Borlänge, Orsa, Leksand.
For the regional travel overview: Dalarna County.
