The Pilgrimsleden Västra Värmland begins on Lurö. It passes several churches before reaching Säffle, creating a specific route through natural and cultural landscapes that leads to the destination. Lurö also has numerous hiking trails and sights.

Lurö skärgård Nature Reserve was established in 1967 to preserve archipelago landscapes for their natural and cultural heritage. It is part of the European Union’s Natura 2000 network. This combination of landscape conservation and history provides a special setting for exploring the area on foot.

Landscape and trails

Hösås Nature Reserve offers a different perspective on nature. It is home to one of the few ash groves in Värmland. The reserve was established to encourage nature studies and outdoor recreation for the public. The ash grove is a specific feature that sets Hösås apart from simply being a stretch of trail.

There are also a range of options for cyclists. Säffle lies on Stage 6 of the 60-kilometre Unionsleden, between Edsleskog and Borgvik. The Tegnérområdet has mountain biking trails across varied terrain. One route passes through old forest and is technically easy, while also featuring challenging climbs and fast sections. Technical difficulty and physical demands are therefore not the same thing: the route’s individual features complement one another rather than giving a sweeping account of its demands.

For getting to and around the area, Säffle has good bus and train connections to Karlstad, Åmål and other destinations in Värmland. Check the current timetable for your travel dates if you plan to use these connections.

Art, buildings and history

Echstedtska gården is one of Sweden’s best-preserved manor houses from the 18th century. The offerings include guided tours, a café and an herb garden. There is also an orchard and a clonal archive of 26 Värmland apple varieties. This brings architecture, gardens and a precisely specified diversity of regional apple varieties together in one setting.

You will also encounter artworks of very different kinds in public spaces. Säffle Zoo is the name of a sculpture collection by artist Eka Acosta. The Säffle Emoticon Circuit is a public art installation by Signe Johannessen and Erik Rören, located by the Säffle swimming pool and Tegnérskolan. These two examples represent different forms of art in the town: a collection of sculptures and an installation at named public locations.

You can explore the Seffle Canal on foot, passing historic buildings such as Stenmagasinet, which is over 200 years old. From Kanalområdet, an approximately two-kilometre walk leads to Rolfserudsholmen. From there, you can see Säffle’s railway bridge, built in 1878 and still in use. The approximate distance, destination and view of the bridge provide concrete points of reference for this walk.

Right by the Seffle Canal, the Säffle Marinmotormuseum displays around 200 old boat engines of various types. In the municipality of Säffle, Svanskog Järnvägsstation also preserves the ticket counter, waiting room and office from the railway era in their original condition. Nothing has been changed there since the last train service in 1966. At Ulvudden on Värmlandsnäs, meanwhile, rock carvings bear witness to a distant past: there are at least seven ships, three figures that cannot be identified more precisely and 70 cup marks. The carvings are probably dated to the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age.

Fishing and other experiences

The fishing opportunities also differ between the waters described here. The Byälven in central Säffle offers opportunities for zander fishing. Family-friendly fishing for zander, perch and pike is possible at Harefjorden. For zander in the town centre, the Byälven is an option; at Harefjorden, perch and pike are additional target fish.

The dressin ride with Joytrail takes approximately three hours round trip. The ride passes through forests, by lakes and through the 263-metre-long Bollsbytunneln. If you are planning this experience, check in advance whether it is available on your preferred date.

Wiksfors Bruk in the municipality of Säffle is an old industrial environment that has been home to various businesses since the 17th century. Today, the site serves as a business hotel and combines small-scale production, reuse and creative collaboration in a historic industrial setting. Waffles and wood-fired pizza are among the offerings on site; check opening hours if you plan to stop for a meal. At Ölseruds kvarn, locally grown grain is milled into flour for bread. A museum in the municipality of Säffle also documents the development of rural life from earlier times to highly mechanised agriculture and forestry.

At Värmlands Vikingacenter in the municipality of Säffle, there is a playground with a play ship, as well as wooden swords and shields for children. These specific details add another topic to consider when planning your trip, alongside the historic sites and nature trails.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Högsäter, Nysäter, Svanskog, Säffle, Kila, Långserud, Kil, Skoghall.

Back to the regional travel overview: Värmland.