Porphyry was produced at Nya Porfyrverket until 1984, and the original production environment has been preserved there. Families and groups can book private tours in advance outside regular visiting hours. A permanent exhibition at the Porphyry and Hagström Museum also focuses on porphyry production.
Church, porphyry and local culture
The oldest parts of Älvdalen Church date from the 1580s. It acquired its present size and basic form in the 1810s and 1820s, in the Neoclassical style. It is protected as a church heritage site under Chapter 4 of the Swedish Heritage Conservation Act. If you would like to visit the church, check access separately.
Porphyry also shapes the history of Blyberget: the old quarry was in use from 1788 until the early 1940s and is now protected as an archaeological site. The area around the porphyry quarries includes a small exhibition about the demanding work involved in quarrying. At Rots Skans, meanwhile, the open-air museum showcases settlements, ways of life and crafts from the late Middle Ages to around 1900. The ramparts and well are all that remain of the fortification dating from 1677; guided walks can be booked in advance.
At Rots Skans, Café Slöjdstugan serves coffee and cake, ice cream and waffles. Another cultural highlight is Älvdalska, an ancient language rooted in Old Norse that is spoken in Älvdalen. In summer, guests can experience traditional life with livestock at Hedbodarna; butter, Messmör and coffee and cake can be ordered in advance. Check before your trip which options are available during the season in question.
Rocky landscapes and hiking trails
The summit of Hykjeberget is 594 metres above sea level. Below it, the mountain drops away in an almost vertical, 100-metre-high rock face. The south-facing wall retains heat and creates a local climate for demanding plant species. A steep, rocky hiking trail leads up to a wind shelter at the summit. On one hike, the striking rock formation and the mountain’s special growing conditions come together as two sides of the same landscape.
In Blyberget Nature Reserve, an approximately 1.5-kilometre circular trail starts at the entrance. Another hike leads to Skärklittsgnupen: from the turnaround area in Skärklitt, the trail is one kilometre long and challenging. Skärklitt is six kilometres from Älvdalen. The Vasaloppsleden runs through Älvdalen and includes several easy stages. The Romboleden passes through the municipality and connects nature with local history; cabins and wind shelters offer pilgrims places to rest. Their locations are listed in the Naturkartan app.
Cycling and water activities
Älvdalens cykelområde, by the ski stadium, has several cycling trails, including short routes for children and longer ones with technical sections. Älvis is two kilometres long and runs over a bark track, trails and a gravel road. Mtb-kåsan features demanding climbs and descents as well as technical sections over ten kilometres. The 12-kilometre Gröntjärnsrundan runs from the stadium area along forest roads and trails towards Näset and the porphyry dam. Distances, surfaces and route profiles give you concrete points of reference when choosing a cycling route.
The Österdalälven flows through the forests and vast wilderness of Älvdalen. There are many opportunities for canoeing on rivers and waterways; check specific water routes and providers separately. Älvdalens FVOF offers fishing permits for rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. Running waters are home to trout and grayling; lakes have perch and pike, as well as occasional char and trout. Ice fishing usually begins once the waters freeze over in November and continues until the end of April; the exact start depends on ice conditions.
Getting here and finding your way around
Regular public transport buses to Älvdalen are operated by Dalatrafik; check the latest timetables before your trip. There is no passenger rail service in Älvdalen Municipality. You can take the train to Mora and continue from there by bus into the municipality; check the latest connections.
A prominent landmark is Trängsletdammen: at 120 metres, it is Sweden’s highest dam. The reservoir above it is 70 kilometres long and holds 880 million cubic metres of water. The described route from central Älvdalen follows the RV70 towards Idre and then takes the turnoff for Trängslet. Check road conditions before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Fjätervålen, Grövelsjön, Ragunda, Bräcke, Åre, Berg, Krokom, Östersund
For the main travel overview: Jämtland.
