Surte offers a tangible way to explore Swedish industrial history: the Glasbruksmuseet i Surte displays glass packaging, and the guided Bohus–Surte cycling tour includes a stop at the museum. Surte Kraftstation and Fågeldammarna add a look at former uses of energy and water to the story.

Glassworks and local history

The Glasbruksmuseet i Surte showcases an important period in Swedish industrial history. From 1862 to 1978, the glassworks was the largest and leading employer in Surte. This period provides a clear historical context for the museum’s objects and makes the glassworks a central subject for anyone who wants to learn more about Surte’s industrial history.

The museum displays many different types of glass packaging. These include the oldest surviving bottle from Surte: a beer bottle from 1893. The variety of packaging and this dated individual item offer different perspectives on glass production. Alexander Samuelson also learned glassblowing at Surte Glasbruk. His training adds a connection to the craft to the story of the products.

Power station, Fågeldammarna and information board

Surte Kraftstation was built in 1943 as a reserve power station for the glassworks. Fågeldammarna was originally created as a water reservoir for the formerly important mill operation and the power station at Surte glassworks. Together, these details point to two distinct functions in the industrial context: backup power supply and water storage.

An information board beside the first pond on the Bohus–Surte route covers the birds and the history of Surte Bäcken. This adds nature topics and the history of the stream to the ponds’ former uses. Public transport runs to Fågeldammarna: take the bus to the Bruksvägen stop or the commuter train to Surte station. From there, the route continues along Göteborgsvägen and Bruksvägen.

Cycling between Surte and Bohus

The Bohus–Surte cycling tour starts at the library in Surte and ends in Bohus or loops back to Surte. It runs mostly on cycle paths. This lets you choose between a tour that ends in Bohus and one that returns to Surte, without assuming a particular duration. The guided cycling tour includes a stop at the Glasbruksmuseet i Surte. There, you can learn more about the glassworks and the former industrial community.

The museum stop focuses on industrial history, while the information board by the first pond covers birds and Surte Bäcken. The two stops therefore offer different topics along the route. If you are interested in combining local history with cycling, Surte offers tangible points of interest without reducing the two subjects to the same perspective.

Hiking nearby

The Vättlefjäll Nature Reserve is close to Surte. It has several hiking trails, and the Bohusleden trail passes through the area. Vättlefjäll can be reached from the north via Bohus and Surte. There are two starting points for a circular hike around Surtesjön: a car park by the Surte bathing area or Vättlefjällstugan in Angered. The loop follows easy-to-walk gravel paths.

As well as the cycling tour, the surrounding area offers hiking options with different starting points: trails in Vättlefjäll Nature Reserve and a clearly specified loop around Surtesjön. Together with the museum, power station and Fågeldammarna, these make Surte particularly worth exploring if you would like to combine cultural history with cycling or hiking.

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