The falun-red wooden church Ljusnarsbergs kyrka in Kopparberg dates back to 1635. It is also the starting and finishing point of the 2.5-kilometre Kopparstigen circular trail. This brings together architectural history, a historic hiking trail and other topics, from mining to crafts, in Kopparberg.
Kopparstigen and the historic surroundings
The trail is marked in orange and can be hiked year-round. It passes through the historic Ljusnarsbergsfältet, also known as Gruvbacken, and by old wheel houses and other preserved buildings. At 2.5 kilometres, with the church as both its starting and finishing point, it makes for a short, well-defined loop. This makes it easy to distinguish from the considerably longer hiking trails also associated with Kopparberg.
The church and Tingshuset
Ljusnarsbergs kyrka is a wooden church clad in wooden shingles. Its interior was redesigned in the Old Norse style at the end of the 19th century, and is now among the best-preserved Swedish interiors from that period. The church thus brings together its construction in 1635 and its own later design history.
Tingshuset is also part of the town’s architectural history: it was protected as a listed building in 2014 and preserves 19th-century furniture. The municipal visitor information says that the building cannot be entered; the grounds outside can be visited. Check the current arrangements before your visit.
Mining history and crafts
Kaveltorps gruvmuseum presents the history of the Kaveltorp mining area. The exhibits mentioned include a model of the Kaveltorp mining area and a glass model of a three-dimensional mine map. There is also an extensive collection of photographs, tools and different types of ore. The models, images and objects thus offer different insights into the mining area.
For visits to the museum, the municipal visitor information says that advance booking by text message to 070-628 22 02 is required. Check in advance whether this requirement still applies to your visit.
Kopparbergs Krukmakeri och Trädgård adds a craft dimension: the business upholds the Swedish pottery tradition. The clay used comes from Gotland, and the glaze is lead-free. The pottery workshop is within walking distance of Kopparberg town centre. This means that the cultural highlights include not only buildings and mining, but also the origin of materials and the art of working with clay.
Hiking trails and nature nearby
For longer distances, choose Ljusnaren runt or Postleden. Ljusnaren runt is a challenging 26-kilometre hike. Postleden is a 61-kilometre hiking trail between Hällefors and Kopparberg. Together with the 2.5-kilometre Kopparstigen, the trails differ considerably in length and format: a short circular walk, a longer hike explicitly described as challenging, and a trail between two towns.
The nature areas also differ in their locations. A natural area lies in central Kopparberg, along the Garhytteån. Further afield in the region is the Kindla Nature Reserve, with deep forests and hiking trails. This means that a centrally located natural area and a protected area in the wider surroundings sit alongside Kopparberg’s architectural and mining attractions.
For the broader travel overview: Ljusnarsberg.
