Avesta: Industrial Heritage, Art and the Dalälven

The ironworks in Avesta is an industrial heritage site of national importance and an unusually well-preserved ironworks complex. Verket, a museum and cultural venue, is located in this exceptionally well-preserved industrial setting. There, visitors can follow the journey from iron ore to iron and steel using film, sound and technology. Avesta Art adds a contemporary art perspective to this industrial heritage: the annual summer exhibition at Verket features Swedish and international art. The exhibitions change from year to year.

City history and cultural sites

Gamla Byn is Avesta’s oldest district and a living, well-preserved industrial settlement with buildings dating from the 1630s onward. Its long history is reflected in the character of the district and its status as the oldest part of the city. Gamla Byn is also home to the 10-Daler coin, described as the world’s largest coin.

The Avesta Coin Museum traces the history of Swedish coins from the Viking Age to the present day. Another chapter in the area’s history takes us to Karlbo: Karlfeldtsgården is located in the childhood home of Swedish poet Erik Axel Karlfeldt. Its summer program includes concerts, family days, talks and celebrations; individual activities vary. In season, the garden serves coffee and pastries, offers handicrafts for sale and hosts creative activities.

A striking landmark is the world’s largest Dala horse. It stands at a rest stop on National Highways 70/68 in Avesta, is 13 meters tall and weighs 67 tonnes. It was inaugurated in 1989. Its enormous size and much later construction date provide a different point of reference from Gamla Byn’s older buildings.

Nature experiences and trails

Avesta Bison Park is one of the most important breeding facilities in Northern Europe for the conservation of the European bison. Visitors can use a digital guide with QR codes every day; customized guided tours are available for groups. Guided tour options may vary by season. The seasonal Ladugårdsfiket in the park serves coffee and pastries, as well as light meals.

Avesta offers a wide range of outdoor activities along the Dalälven. Döda Fallen offers a unique insight into the history of the landscape: around 7,000 years ago, the Dalälven carved a new riverbed. As a result, the former waterfalls dried up, forming Döda Fallen. Information boards at the foot of the waterfalls and at the top of the rocky outcrop explain how they were formed.

Döda Fallen is a stop on the Älvpromenaden loop, which is 8.5 kilometers long and runs between Avesta and Krylbo. Conditions along the loop may vary by season. For those considering routes with different profiles, Bruksleden is another option: the sections passing through Avesta are about 12 kilometers long, easy to walk and run through forest and urban areas, as well as nature reserves. Bruksleden is marked in orange on trees and posts. Trail conditions may vary by season and weather, and the markings also require maintenance.

Cycling, activities and travel planning

There are several cycling routes to choose from, each with its own described features. Avestaturen is an easy-to-ride cycling route through flat terrain. The 25-kilometer Besöksrundan starts and ends at Avesta Library and opened on August 25, 2026. When planning, you can therefore choose between a route through flat terrain that is easy to ride and a route with specified start and end points.

Avesta-Krylbo station provides train connections for access to the cycling route. Transport services and timetables may change, so check the connection for your travel date. Sportparken is also open to the public and can be used for sports and play. Its availability may change, so check the latest information before visiting.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Krylbo, Avesta, Fors, Dala-Järna, Dala-Husby, Leksand, Säter, Orsa.

Return to the main travel overview: Dalarna County.