In Surahammar, rich natural habitats meet traces of a long history of iron production. Between the bird lake, forest reserves and preserved industrial sites, you can discover the municipality’s many different sides—from observing nature to exploring the history of forges, locks and workshops.
Experience nature: forests, trails and birdlife
The municipality of Surahammar has 14 nature reserves with significant natural and cultural values. Marked trails, information boards and parking areas help you find your way. Hälleskogsbrännan offers a special nature experience: there, you can observe the effects of the 2014 forest fire and nature’s recovery. The facilities include several trails, picnic and barbecue areas, and an observation tower. Several areas are accessible with a stroller or wheelchair.
Birdlife takes centre stage at Gnien. The bird lake has an observation tower and birdlife throughout the year; at Gnien, the Kolbäcksån widens into a lake. Fishing is permitted there during parts of the year with a fishing licence. The Rövalls and Stingsmossen reserves, in turn, provide habitats for rare fungi and a rich variety of birdlife. You can explore them on foot via the Bruksleden trail; overnight stays are possible at Rövallskojan.
The Bruksleden trail route also helps you find your way: Stage 8 passes the edge of Surahammar and reaches the Stingsmossen and Rövallsmossen nature reserves. At Stingsberget, the landscape is used as an open-air church. This connects time outdoors with a special cultural connection to the place.
Ironworks, museums and preserved buildings
In Ramnäs, Katarina Stenbock, the widow of Gustav Wasa, founded the Ramnäs bruk ironworks in 1590. Its industrial heritage includes a Lancashire forge and the well-preserved Schenströmska and Tersmedenska manor houses. The historic Spången bridge over the rapids has also been preserved as part of the heritage. Originally, the owners of the forges on either side had it built to make it easier to move between their facilities. The area around Spången is also an important wintering site for white-throated dippers.
In Surahammar, the Bruksmuseum, housed in a former workshop building, shows the production process from pig iron to a finished railway wheel. A guided tour takes about an hour; the museum can adjust the duration. The historic walking trail passes HofgĂĄrds sluss. Signs along the approximately three-kilometre trail explain the development of the ironworks since the 17th century and the importance of the lock to shipping. The trail is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs; check the trail conditions before your visit.
Stenhuset also tells the story of working life: it was built in 1847 as a home for six blacksmith families. The upper floor houses an art gallery, which over the years has exhibited works by local and other artists, as well as craftspeople. A café opens seasonally, serving coffee, tea, homemade sweet buns and cakes. Another collection awaits at MC Museet Gyllene Hjulet, one of Sweden’s largest moped and motorcycle museums. On display are about 120 motorcycles and mopeds, as well as two cars.
Lisjö Brukskyrka was built in 1795 for the ironworks’ employees. It contained seven homes for blacksmiths and a schoolroom on the upper floor. The church is used, among other things, for Christmas services; guided tours can be booked. Check the dates and booking options in advance.
Virsbo: industrial heritage and art
In Virsbo, you can take a walk through the bruksområde, with its locks and industrial buildings. The historic works road also includes a functionalist-style art gallery and other locks. Virsbo Konsthall is on the island of Verksholmen in the Kolbäcksån, in a historic ironworks setting. More than 800 square metres are available for exhibitions and music events; there is also a café area serving coffee and homemade pastries.
The Strömsholms kanal runs through the municipality and serves as a recreational route for pleasure boats. The entire canal has been a listed historic site since 1990. If you want to get active, Virsbo has an 18-hole disc golf course through scenic woodland. Surahammars Golfklubb offers an 18-hole parkland course with open fairways, water hazards and wooded sections.
Plan your routes and travel
There are illuminated running trails in two locations: in Virsbo, the trail is 2,500 metres long and is by Skräddartorpet, east of the town. In Surahammar, it is 3,300 metres long starting from Ekängen. Surahammar is served by the Västerås–Hallstahammar–Surahammar–Fagersta–Ludvika railway line; Ramnäs has a station on the Västerås–Ludvika line. Check the current timetable before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Köping, Hallstahammar, Västerås, Kungsör, Norberg, Strömsholm.
For the main travel overview: Västmanland.
