A walking trail that starts in the centre of Hofors passes the church, circles Hammardammen and returns to town. Along the way, you’ll encounter the town centre, the church and the lake. There are also forest trails and reminders of the history of mining and ironworking. Hofors is in the western part of Gästrikland, near the province of Dalarna.
Walking trails from the centre to the forest
Hofors Church was built in 1962, and its interior combines modern and traditional design. The church also houses communion vessels made by Jakob Ängman. The Hälsans Stig walking trail passes the church and then circles Hammardammen. The loop starts and ends in the centre.
The Hofors exercise trails start between Hoforshallen and StĂĄlringen; there is an outdoor fitness area at the trailhead. Two loops are 2.5 and 5 kilometres long and illuminated. Two marked trails also branch off from the exercise trails: one is 5.5 kilometres long and marked blue, while the other is 11 kilometres long and marked pink.
For a longer forest hike, the southern section of the Gästrikeleden starts in the centre, behind the ice rink at the Stålringen sports grounds. The route is designed as an 8-to-10-kilometre round trip. Another option is the 4.2-kilometre Storflyslingan, which has a barbecue area and two wind shelters. The different lengths make it easier to choose a suitable loop for your planned distance, without treating the trails as identical.
Industrial history and homes through the ages
Kornskruven, a former granary, is now home to an industrial museum with collections on local mining and ironworking history. The building thus links its former use with a look at the industry that shaped Hofors.
Hofors Hembygdsgård is housed in a wooden workers’ residence belonging to the ironworks, dating from the 1870s. Three periods of domestic life are represented there: a one-room home from the 1880s and homes from the 1920s and 1950s. A permanent exhibition about Kerstin Hesselgren adds to this insight into the history of homes and the local area.
Hofors Herrgård also tells the story of the area’s industrial past: the industrialist Petre family had it built between 1799 and 1803. Its façade has a restrained neoclassical style, while the preserved interior features Rococo and neoclassical elements. Another trace of mining history is the 265-metre-long Stollgången, popularly known as “Stollen”. It opened in the late 18th century. The recreational area around the tunnel is accessible even outside visiting hours. Check the latest access information for the area before your visit.
By the water: activities and fishing
A 2.8-kilometre walking and exercise loop runs around Lake Hammardammen. On the shore, there is a wind shelter with benches, picnic tables, a barbecue area and a wood store. The loop therefore offers a place to take a break by the lake; check the latest information about the facilities before your visit.
Lissjön, about three kilometres from the centre of Hofors, is a put-and-take fishing lake for rainbow trout. It has five wind shelters, two toilets, parking for caravans or motorhomes, and ten jetties. One of the jetties is accessible to wheelchair users. At Hubo-Långsjön, 20 tonnes of rainbow trout are stocked annually in the put-and-take lake. Facilities include 35 jetties and ten wind shelters, as well as an accessible fishing area with a jetty, wind shelter and toilet. Access arrangements differ: at Lissjön, one individual jetty is accessible, while at Hubo-Långsjön there is a dedicated accessible fishing area. As stocking levels, fishing rules and facilities may change, check the latest information before fishing.
Golf and Gammelstilla
Hofors Golfklubb is located by Lake Storgösken and has an 18-hole course in a woodland and parkland setting. Facilities include golf lessons, a driving range and a practice area. If you’re planning to make use of these facilities, check in advance what is currently available.
Gammelstilla also brings together ironworking and visitor experiences. Gammelstilla Bruk dates back to the 1650s and has a long history of ironworking. In summer, Gammelstilla Café, run by Kanalkiosken, serves food and fika in a historic ironworks setting; bear its seasonal opening hours in mind when planning your visit. Gammelstilla Whisky offers tastings of its “Isak Mackey” and “Jern” whiskies. Booking is required, and you should check availability in advance.
Discover more destinations: Hofors, Torsåker, Ockelbo, Trönödal, Hudiksvall, Bollnäs, Nordanstig, Gävle.
For the regional travel overview: Gävleborg.
