In Båstnäs, the car wrecks are considered an installation shaped by nature; at the same time, the site has become a cultural meeting place for artists and, above all, photographers from all over the world. This unique cultural site is one of Årjäng’s many facets. The scale ranges from a hiking trail about 800 metres long in Tegen to the approximately 350-kilometre-long Unionsleden between Karlstad and Moss.
Landscape and Natural Areas
Forests, woodland pools and lakes, along with open landscapes, shape Årjäng Municipality. In Tegen, in the lake-rich woodland landscape south of Årjäng, a traditional form of meadow management is particularly well preserved. The meadow flora is rich in species; remnants of fences, clearance cairns and paths bear witness to the former small-scale farming. An approximately 800-metre hiking trail starts at the entrance to the nature reserve.
Kesebotten also offers a glimpse of the distinctive woodland nature: old deciduous trees and deadwood provide a habitat for numerous species that have become much less common in today’s forest landscape. The area is part of the European Union’s Natura 2000 network of valuable natural areas. Important for finding your way there: the barrier on the main road near Kesebotten is closed all year round; it is about three kilometres from the barrier to the nature reserve.
Katjärn offers a different natural scene: a small, almost mythical woodland pool not far from Årjäng. To the northwest rises the 70-metre-high Tjäderåsen; the ridge drops almost vertically down to the water. The municipality’s natural areas invite you to enjoy walks and hikes all year round.
Waterways and Seasonal Experiences
The DANO lake system runs through the entire municipality of Årjäng, continues through Dalsland and flows into Lake Vänern at Köpmannebro. Long-distance ice skating is one of the experiences on offer in the municipality’s natural areas. Maps of this lake system are available for boat trips and canoe tours. Long-distance ice skating, however, is only possible when winter ice conditions are suitable; Friluftsfrämjandet in Årjäng organises tours then.
Cycling Route, Crafts and Cultural History
The national cycling route Unionsleden passes through Lennartsfors, connecting Moss to the west with Karlstad to the east. The route is approximately 350 kilometres long in total. It runs mostly along quiet roads with little traffic, but also uses larger roads on some sections. Lundvie Keramik has also been based in Lennartsfors since 1982. Handmade functional ceramics and unique pieces are created there, mainly from stoneware; sales at the workshop are seasonal.
The Lennartsfors lock staircase consists of three locks with a total height difference of 7.5 metres. Beyond it is a canal blasted through the rock. Another cultural route is the three-kilometre sculpture promenade between Årjäng tätort and Kyrkeruds folkhögskola. Most of the sculptures along the route are made from Bohus granite.
Tingshuset was built in 1802 and remained in use until 1936. In 1865, the vicar Anders Lindbäck was accused in a particularly well-known trial of poisoning parishioners with arsenic in the communion wine.
Visitor Information for the Municipality
Årjäng Municipality produces an annual visitor map and themed brochures, including information on scenic drives and hikes. Four InfoPoints in the municipality provide visitor information, answer questions and offer tips on places to visit within the municipality. If you’d like to combine different interests, you’ll find natural areas, waterways, cycling, ceramics and cultural history here as separate starting points for planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Töcksfors, Årjäng, Storfors, Gräsmark, Borgvik, Karlstad, Kil, Kristinehamn.
For the regional travel overview: Värmland.
