The 40-minute Sandviken Soundwalk takes you through parts of the cultural landscape, combining memories and stories from the history of the Bruket with soundscapes and newly written music. It starts at the entrance to the city library. Along the walk, you’ll encounter local history and sound art—a different perspective on Sandviken than looking at individual buildings or exhibitions.
Cultural venues and traces of the Bruket
At the heart of Sandviken is the Kulturcentrum, a hub for the town’s cultural and entertainment life. Under its roof are events and exhibitions, a library, an art gallery, a culture school, the Trampolin literary centre, as well as stages and event spaces. In the Sandvikens konsthall, the programme includes not only exhibitions but also opening receptions, guided tours, concerts, lectures, workshops and cultural events. The alternative cultural centre Kungen adds another dimension with its gallery for contemporary art. The Sandviken Jazz & Blues Festival is considered one of the major annual events in the town’s cultural life.
The history of the ironworks area is also reflected in the townscape and its museums. Gamla Bruket, also known as “envåningsbruket,” was built between 1864 and 1880 for workers at the old ironworks. The Bruksmuseet Smedsgården displays homes from different periods in the history of the area; a small school museum explores school life in the past. Sandvikens kyrka offers a different glimpse into the past: construction began in 1929, and the church was inaugurated on 29 November 1931. Its prominent position on the ridge running through Sandviken shapes its place in the town.
Outside the town centre lies Högbo Bruk, a lively ironworks area with origins in the 1630s. Here, nature and cultural history come together with outdoor activities, crafts, events, food and accommodation. Sandviken’s local food offerings also range from cheese, bread and charcuterie to meat, spices and sweets; the selection and availability may vary by producer and season. At Högbo Bruk, Gårdshandeln sells food from meadows, greenhouses and pastures.
Trails, water and outdoor activities
If you prefer discovering art in public spaces, you can follow a walking route in Sandviken using an art map for guidance. Along the way, different artistic forms of expression and stories about public space are presented. The Soundwalk, on the other hand, focuses on soundscapes and stories from the history of the Bruket. The main difference to consider when choosing between the two walks is their subject matter.
Sandviken also offers a range of ways to enjoy the outdoors. The Gästrikeleden trail runs between Gävle and Sandviken, continuing towards Gysinge. The long-distance trail is 270 kilometres long and divided into 32 stages of varying lengths; lakes, rapids, wetlands and deep forests characterise the landscape along the route. The nature trail in the nearby Långängarna Nature Reserve is shorter, at 1.5 kilometres. The reserve is 6.5 kilometres southwest of Sandvikens kyrka. There, you may see aspens with aspen feather moss and possibly three-toed woodpeckers.
For cycling, there are routes of varying difficulty, for beginners as well as ambitious recreational cyclists. Regionally, Biking Gästrikland expands the options with 50 mountain bike trails and more than 500 kilometres of connected, signposted cycle routes; the network offers bikepacking connections in Sandviken and Gästrikland. The cross-country ice-skating track on Lake Storsjön is 15 kilometres long and starts at Hedåsbadet. Ice conditions and track maintenance depend on the season.
You can also fish for zander on Lake Storsjön, either from a boat or from the shore. Before fishing, check the applicable rules and whether a fishing permit is required. Hedåsbadet is a family-friendly beach with a sandy shore, bathing jetty and volleyball court, as well as an accessible outdoor fitness area. Parkbadet has a leisure pool, a 25-metre swimming pool, whirlpools, group activities and a gym. The leisure area includes water slides offering more than 250 metres of sliding fun in total. Check the current operating conditions before visiting.
Planning your trip
At Sandviken Resecentrum, city, regional, local and express buses, as well as regional and night trains, come together under one roof. Sandviken also has frequent bus services within Gästrikland and train connections to and from Mälardalen. As timetables and transport services may change, check connections for your travel dates. The Sandviken Tourist Centre offers tips and information about attractions, accommodation and events, and sells products made by local craftspeople.
Sandviken has plenty to choose from, from sound art and industrial heritage to hiking trails, cycling routes and activities on the water. If you’re looking for a hotel in Sandviken, you could start planning by considering which of these aspects of the town matters most to your trip.
Discover more destinations: Hammarby, Järbo, Årsunda, Sandviken, Kungsgården, Storvik, Gysinge, Österfärnebo
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