Svärdsjö: Discover Nature and Culture

Svärdsjö offers travelers a range of themes to consider when planning a trip: nature by the lake, a swimming spot, art, and seasonal events. If you’re looking for a hotel in Svärdsjö, deciding what you’re most interested in can help you organize your plans for your stay. Isalanäset is known for its wooded peninsula and historic cultural landscape; art and the Midsummer celebration appeal to other interests.

Nature in the Forest, Cultural Landscape, and by the Water

The Isalanäset nature reserve is a hilly, almost entirely forested peninsula that extends into Lake Svärdsjön. It includes a historic cultural landscape with fields and meadows that were once farmed and later abandoned. High natural values have developed in this landscape. Thus, alongside the forest, areas formerly used for agriculture are also part of the character of the area. Marked trails and information boards help visitors find their way.

At Olars näs, a small promontory in Lake Svärdsjön just north of Svärdsjö, you can walk close to the water and grazing animals. You can watch and listen to birds in the deciduous forest. While Isalanäset is characterized by its wooded peninsula and historic cultural landscape, Olars näs combines a waterside walk with grazing animals and birdwatching.

Trails and a Swimming Spot

To access the nature reserve, a level gravel path leads from the parking lot to the entrance area; this path is well suited to strollers. Another option is the Svärdsjöstigen: the two-kilometer lakeside trail runs along Lake Svärdsjön between Gruvbacken and Höganäsbadet. Its specific length and two endpoints give the trail a clear framework and distinguish it from the marked trails in the nature reserve.

Höganäsbadet is not only an endpoint of the lakeside trail, but also a swimming spot in Svärdsjö. It has a bathing jetty, a changing room, a water-flush toilet, and a place to refill drinking water. When planning your outings, you can therefore distinguish between a clearly defined lakeside route and a stay at the swimming spot.

Art and Midsummer

Arvid Backlundgården is the home of sculptor Arvid Backlund and is located in Kyrkbyn, Svärdsjö. The house contains sculpture and art collections. Visitors can see the two studio rooms and the living area, which features numerous works of art. The studios and living area offer different insights into the rooms of the house; the collections add to the picture of Backlund’s artistic work. Separate exhibitions by other artists are held at Arvid Backlundgården in the summer. As these exhibitions are seasonal, it’s a good idea to check the current exhibition program before visiting.

A traditional Midsummer celebration is held every year at the Gammelgården local heritage farmstead. If you’d like to plan your stay around the celebration, check the dates for the relevant year: the program may vary.

A Canoe Route with a Portage

The Balungen–Runn canoe route includes a 250-meter portage at Borgärdesströmmen. This section is a specific point to consider when planning your trip, as the canoe must be carried over land there. Route conditions may change, so check the latest information before setting out. This allows you to take the particular requirements of this canoe route into account without confusing it with the walking trails and destinations in Svärdsjö.

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

Go to the main travel overview: Falun.