Falun between mining history and cultural landscape

Falun reveals itself as a cultural landscape where mining, urban history and nature belong together. In the Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain in Falun World Heritage Site, the Great Pit (Stora Stöten) is the most striking landscape feature. The site also includes the planned 17th-century town of Falun with its historic buildings, as well as industrial and domestic remains from several settlements. The landscape illustrates copper production in Dalarna, in central Sweden, since at least the 9th century.

Mining History and Museums

Falu Gruva is centrally located in Falun, about a ten-minute walk from the town centre. Guided underground tours through mining areas dating back to the 17th century are offered there year-round. The interactive Gruvmuseet tells the story of the mine from the Viking Age to 2001. Tour options and museum access may change; check the current options before your visit.

Dalarnas museum is also in central Falun. It presents the history, traditions and culture of the entire Dalarna region and has an extensive collection of Dala horses. It offers a way to broaden your perspective from the specific mining heritage to the culture of the wider region.

At Carl Larsson-gården, you can plan for two different experiences: guided tours of the artist’s home, Lilla Hyttnäs, are available on the grounds. The exhibition at Konsthallen Kvarnen near Carl Larsson-gården, however, can be visited independently rather than as part of the guided tour of the artist’s home. The exhibition and the tours are separate visitor experiences; check the latest access details in advance.

If you would like to get creative yourself, you can try throwing pottery on a wheel under guidance at the ceramics workshop at Kulturhuset tio14. Iron-forging courses at Smedja Metallmorfos are available on request. Workshop options and dates may change; check what is available before your visit.

Trails Through Cultural Landscapes and Nature

Vattnets väg till gruvan is a hiking system covering just over 30 kilometres in total in the Falun World Heritage Site. It includes shorter and longer circular routes. Along the way are medieval smelting sites, miners’ homesteads, dams and dam houses set in characteristic Nordic nature. This landscape is an important part of the Falun World Heritage Site. The starting point at Falu Gruva is accessible by public transport; check current services before travelling. As trail conditions may change, it is also worth checking the latest local information.

For a single circular hike, consider the approximately 12-kilometre Puttbo–Kråkmyran–Källslätten route. It includes a viewpoint at Igeltjärnsberget and a shelter and fire pit at Kråkmyran. Källslätten is designated a Natura 2000 site: it provides important habitat for plants and animals that have been displaced by modern forestry and agriculture.

Another trail at Lurån runs along the west side of the river, starting from the car park at its mouth where it flows into Lake Rogsjön. The hike described is about 2.7 kilometres long; water levels and weather can affect trail conditions. Lurån is part of the European Union’s Natura 2000 network. The distances help you plan your outing: the Vattnets system offers circular routes of varying lengths, while the Puttbo loop and the hike at Lurån are each described with a specific distance.

Lugnet is one of Falun’s 13 municipal nature reserves. The adjoining nature reserve has hiking and cycling trails, training tracks, barbecue areas, shelters and rest areas. This makes it possible to combine cycling with time spent in the nature reserve. The approximately 10-kilometre Carl Larsson Trail runs between Lilla Hyttnäs in Sundborn and Falun.

More Experiences and Practical Information

Kayaks and SUP boards can be rented on the Faluån and among the islands of Lake Runn. Availability and rental options may change; check what is currently available if you are planning this activity. A guided event, En smakfull vandring i världsarvsskogen, includes traditional coffee brewed over an open fire. Options and content may vary for this bookable activity as well.

The Christmas market at Falu Gruva combines a food market with local delicacies. It has become a tradition for many people. As a seasonal offering, it has changing dates and opening times; the individual vendors and products also vary from year to year.

When choosing a hotel in Falun, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on during your trip: mining history and museums, hiking and cycling trails, visits around Carl Larsson-gården, or activities on the water. Falun Central Station is in the town centre; train services and timetables may change.

Discover more destinations: Bjursås, Linghed, Sundborn, Sågmyra, Enviken, Falun, Svärdsjö, Orsa.

Back to the main travel overview: Dalarnas Län.