Loka offers two distinct points of interest for a stay: its long spa history and the landscape of the Lokadalen Nature Reserve. The spa museum traces the development of the spa resort from the 18th century to the present day. South of Loka, Lokadalen stretches across a landscape with distinctive natural features and traces of cultural history. There are also five hiking trails right by Loka Brunn. This makes it easier to decide whether historic spa culture or time outdoors should be the focus when choosing a destination.

Spa history in buildings and traditions

The spa museum presents the history of the spa resort from the 18th century to the present day. The museum includes the old spring chapel, built in 1824. People still drink spring water at Lokasalongen, so this tradition continues to the present day. Mud treatments have also been offered at Loka Brunn since the 18th century. For 300 years, Loka Brunn has been a gathering place centred on water.

Stora Societetshuset brings together architectural and social history. Built in 1913, it is a well-preserved, typical Art Nouveau building. Historically, it was reserved exclusively for Class A spa guests. People made music and danced, drank coffee, and formed new acquaintances in the building. This sociable use adds another dimension to spa life alongside mud treatments and spring-water drinking.

Loka Brunn has created a salon in Stora Societetshuset dedicated to opera singer Kristina Nilsson. Another building’s history belongs to Kungsbyggnaden: in the 1770s, Carl Gustaf Löwenhjelm sold the building to King Gustav III for 1,000 riksdaler; since then, it has been called Kungsbyggnaden. The chronology runs from the sale in the 1770s, through the spring chapel of 1824, to Societetshuset in 1913.

Different perspectives help put the history in context: the museum presents the broad sweep of time, the buildings represent specific architectural history, and their uses show that spa history is more than a series of dates. You can explore Loka through its buildings, treatment traditions, and social life.

Nature reserve and hiking trails

The elongated Lokadalen Nature Reserve stretches south from just beyond Loka towards Silverhyttan. Spruce trees covered in hanging moss, scree slopes, and old, untouched forest define the landscape; traces of cultural history are also part of the area’s character. One such trace is an old track that climbs the steep valley slope from the former smelting site between the lakes.

There are five hiking trails right by Loka Brunn, each one to six kilometres long. The range includes both shorter and longer routes, providing a practical reference for planning your own walk. Conditions on the trails may vary depending on the season.

For an overview of the wider trip: Örebro.