The preserved anchor forge in Söderfors is now a museum. It was built in 1786; anchors were forged there until 1883. At Ankarsbacken, anchors commemorate the ironworks’ 200th anniversary and Söderfors’ long tradition of producing anchors for the navy and shipping. In the English Park, laid out by Adolf Ulric and Anna Johanna Grill in 1795, stands a Greek temple dating from 1797. The park is still used for celebrations, music and spending time in nature.
Ironworks History and Craftsmanship
Several Vallon ironworks in Tierp Municipality are open to the public. In Karlholmsbruk, founded by Charles De Geer in 1729, historic ironworks buildings and water installations have been preserved. The Lancashire forge is exceptionally well preserved: its original hearths, bellows and drop hammers are intact. It is used for concerts and exhibitions and is included in guided tours of the ironworks environment.
Strömsbergs bruk is considered one of Sweden’s best-preserved examples of a complete ironworks community. Along the tranquil waterway, forges, workers’ homes, storage buildings and the manor house form a cohesive ensemble. Lövstabruk, meanwhile, was once home to Sweden’s largest ironworks, founded by Louis de Geer in the 1620s. Visitors can take a guided tour of the manor house. Tour availability may vary seasonally. Klaverens Hus displays around 350 pianos.
The history around Vendels kyrka can also be traced through a variety of clues. The church is one of the largest and most splendid medieval churches in Uppland. Boat graves discovered near the church, dating from around 550 to 1050 AD, gave the Vendel Period its name. The Vendeltidsmuseet is located in the car park north of the church and is run by Vendel’s local heritage association.
Moorlands, Trails and Water
Florarna is the largest moorland area in Uppland. The nature reserve has marked trails and boardwalks, and is also suitable for winter ski tours. Three sections of the Upplandsleden pass through Tierp Municipality, from the Florarna moorland in the south to the Dalälven in the north. Along the way, the trail passes through moorland, cultural landscapes and forests—a varied sequence of different landscape types, without implying any specific stage length or walking time.
On the Tämnarån canoe route, the Tierp–Strömsberg section is eight kilometres long, calm and free of rapids or shallows. As water conditions can change, check the current situation before setting out. There is a launch point and parking at the bridge in Skämsta; parking regulations may change. At Hjällsjön, you’ll find an accessible fishing pier and a rest area.
Discover Hållnäs and the Coast
The Hållnäs peninsula offers nature trails and extensive fields of boulders. Hållnäskusten is a flat, patchwork coastal landscape of shallow bays, lagoons and pools, as well as forests and rocks. At the far end of the peninsula, the Hållnäsleden connects nature reserves and scenic coastal spots. As the trail may change as it is developed, check the current route in advance.
Fågelsundet is an old fishing village at the northern tip of the peninsula. Boathouses from different eras, cooking huts and places for drying nets and fishing gear recall its fishing heritage. Near Fågelsundet, a two-kilometre trail also leads through forest, over grooved rocks and past orchids. In Fagerviken, you can try smoked fish. Björn is most easily reached by boat from Fågelsundet.
The protected areas each have their own character: Björns skärgård is a nature reserve, a Natura 2000 site and a bird sanctuary. It has 3,000 breeding pairs of coastal birds and is also home to Sweden’s largest colony of the rare Caspian tern. At Källarberget, coniferous forest, migratory birds and geological formations meet views of the sea. From the ridge, the view stretches across Lövstabukten and the Baltic Sea.
Sälstugan, an open shelter, is located in Hållnäskusten. You can eat food you’ve brought with you and warm up there; the shelter is also suitable for overnight stays and cannot be booked. For those interested in culture, the Eric Sahlström Institute in Tobo offers another focus: this national and international centre is dedicated to Swedish traditional folk music and dance, particularly the nyckelharpa, and offers seminars, courses and networking activities.
Discover more destinations: Söderfors, Karlholmsbruk, Skärplinge, Lövstabruk, Tierp, Håbo, Enköping, Älvkarleby.
For the regional travel overview: Uppsala.
