Mining, ironworking and waterways shape many of the stories you can discover in Smedjebacken. You’ll encounter them at historic sites, on hiking trails and along the Strömsholms canal. Forests, lakes and art venues reveal other sides of the municipality—from long hiking routes to a short circular trail by the water.
Mining history at a manor house, mine and hiking trail
Malingsbo Herrgård stands on a rise between Lake Malungen and the Hedströmmen River. The well-preserved Carolingian manor house is an example of the manor architecture of its time and bears witness to the mining industry that shaped the region. It was declared a listed building in 1935. The site connects an individual building with Smedjebacken’s longer industrial history.
Iron ore has been mined at Flogberget since the 16th century. Flogbergets gruva offers guided tours; check the schedule in advance. Stollberg also reaches far back in time: the silver mine there is mentioned as early as 1354 in a charter of privileges issued by King Magnus Eriksson. There is also a headframe-shaped observation tower at the summit of Stollberg. From there, the view stretches towards Smedjebacken and Ludvika.
You can also trace industrial history on foot. The 4 km Schisshyttans vandringsled follows the traces of the iron industry from the 17th century onwards. Along the trail are remains of forges, smaller steelworks, workers’ housing, dams and blast furnaces. These various relics make the industrial past tangible through specific buildings and structures.
Hikes through forest, by lakes and into industrial history
The large, hilly Malingsbo-Kloten coniferous forest area has several hiking trails; you can also paddle and fish there. The Malingsbo-Klotenleden is approximately 45 km long. Another long route is Sméleden: this 42 km hiking trail runs northeast from Björsjö through the municipality to Jätturn and Lake Tunsan. For a shorter hike, try the 10.5 km Milslingan loop in and around Smedjebacken.
At Jätturn, there is another, much shorter loop to choose from: a path partly laid with boardwalks runs for just over 1 km around the lake. The routes mentioned therefore range in length from just over a kilometre to several dozen kilometres. You can choose a hike to suit the distance you want, without inferring a walking time or difficulty from the length alone. At Jätturn, visitors can also rent a boat, row across the lake and enter the cave.
The canal as a waterway and part of industrial history
The Strömsholms canal was built between 1772 and 1795, primarily to transport bar iron from Bergslagen to Lake Mälaren. Along the approximately 100 km route are a total of 26 locks, which raise or lower boats by around 100 m. Today, the canal is used for tourist traffic. Its canal system begins at the harbour in Smedjebacken, which lies 100 m above sea level. Canoes and rowing boats are available for rent in the harbour area.
The locks, the canal’s long route and its historic role in transport give it a different dimension from the hiking trails: here, the focus is on the connection between water engineering and mining. Whereas the Strömsholms canal once served primarily to transport iron, today it is also a waterway for tourist traffic.
Art and local history in Smedjebacken and Söderbärke
In the centre of Smedjebacken, Konsthall Meken is dedicated to contemporary art, design and crafts. In addition to exhibitions, it offers workshops and other cultural experiences. KulturstrĂĄket on Kyrkogatan passes through an area of older houses, meeting places and art galleries, bringing together contemporary art and cultural history.
Historically, Kyrkogatan connected Smidies-backen, the harbour and the church village. This led to dense development, with shops, homes, a fire station, industrial buildings belonging to Smedjebackens valsverk, and buildings associated with the railway and harbour. Looking along the street, you can also trace the historic links between everyday life, industry and the harbour.
In Söderbärke, the hembygdsgård is located in a cultural area with some of the few surviving buildings in the village, which was badly devastated by a fire in 1717. Baggströmska gården is a preserved miner’s homestead in its original location in the church village by Lake Barken. The collections also include the Paul Eriksson Museum in the former parish administration building. The hembygdsgård’s bakehouse and brewery house a summer café; it is seasonal. The local heritage association holds several events, mainly during the summer season, including a Walpurgis bonfire on Kyrkudden and a Midsummer celebration on Hagudden. Check the dates before visiting. Johan Ahlbäck’s studio at Vasagatan 18 can be visited by prior arrangement. In summer, a guided tour of the municipality’s public artworks can also be booked.
Discover more destinations: Söderbärke, Smedjebacken, Falun, Orsa, Vansbro, Ludvika, Borlänge, Hedemora.
Go to the main travel overview: Dalarna County.
