The Gullspångsälven flows through Gullspång, connecting Lake Skagern with Lake Vänern. Two rail bike routes, a fish passage and several cultural venues give a trip different focuses: river and nature, getting around by rail bike, or art, cinema and books. You can choose Gullspång based on which of these aspects you want to shape your stay.

River landscape and Laxtrappan

The lower reaches of the Gullspångsälven have been a Natura 2000 site and nature reserve since 2000. Laxtrappan was built in the lower and steepest section of Gullspångsforsen. It is intended to allow salmon and trout to reach their spawning grounds below the power station dam’s lock gates. Two different nature themes come together here: protecting the lower reaches of the river and a fish passage with a specific purpose for salmon and trout.

Rail bike routes in two directions

You can ride rail bikes from the Dressin House in the center of Gullspång. From Gullspång, the 12.5-kilometer Torvedsbanan runs south along the Gullspångsälven to Midskog. The Trelänsbanan runs north via Konsterud in southern Kristinehamn to its terminus in Degerfors and is 38 kilometers long. It is therefore about three times as long as the Torvedsbanan. Both distance and route provide a clear basis for choosing between them: one runs south along the river, while the other heads north via Konsterud to Degerfors.

Walking through Gullspång

The Gullspång section of Hälsans stig can also be described in concrete terms. It is 3.3 kilometers long and passes through a built-up area. The path is lit, and snow is cleared in winter. Alongside the rail bike routes, you can also choose a walking route in town, with a specific length and described surroundings.

Art, cinema and books

Galleri Gallerixan is a small gallery and meeting place in the center of Gullspång. Its small exhibition space displays various kinds of art. The program ranges from exhibitions and painting classes to other activities for children and adults. If you want to plan your trip around a painting class or a particular activity, it’s best to ask about the specific date.

Centrumbiografen offers another form of culture: the cinema is equipped with 3D technology and has 135 seats in the auditorium. The Frans G Bengtssons minnesbibliotek has around 5,000 volumes. Gullspång’s cultural offerings therefore range from exhibitions and classes to film and a substantial, though only approximately quantified, book collection.

Finding your way around

Gullspångs bibliotek is a certified InfoPoint. There you can get brochures about the area and maps; staff can help with simple questions. A bus stop in the center is about 600 meters from Laxtrappan. This approximate distance provides a specific reference point for finding your way around the fish passage.

Discover more destinations: Södra Torp, Gårdsjö, Skagersvik, Otterbäcken, Hova.

Back to the main travel overview: Gullspång.