Garpenberg: Mining History and Trails

You can explore Garpenberg through its mining history, churches and manor houses, and various trails. If you are looking for a hotel in Garpenberg, you can start by getting to know the town’s main features: historic mining traces sit alongside circular trails and a small botanical park.

Mining History Between Chapel, Church, and Manor House

Mining has been carried out at Garpenbergs bruk since the 13th or 14th century. Garpenbergs bruk and the manor house were long associated with the Garpenberg mine. Garpenbergs Gruvkapell dates from the early 17th century. It is Sweden’s only above-ground mining chapel still in active use. You can book visits through the Garpenberg local history association.

Garpenbergs kyrka is an 18th-century church in the Jugendstil. Its interior includes tall red pews and a large statue of Christ on the altar. Beneath the church is a 50-meter-long mine shaft called the “Stollen” or “Carls stoll.” The chapel and church thus represent different chapters in the town’s mining and architectural history.

Several building phases are also evident at the manor house. The current main building of Garpenbergs herrgård was built of stone to plans by C. C. Gjörwell, signed in 1801. Three of the original four wings remain; they were also built of stone, around 1760.

At the outlet of Gruvsjön, the ruins of an ore-processing plant lie beside Klondyke beach. There is also a large area of slag heaps. The wooden headframe at Intrånget offers expansive views. Garpenbergs Gammelgård is an open-air museum with about ten older buildings. Guided visits can be booked through the Garpenberg local history association; availability may vary by season. Guided tours can also be booked during a stay at Garpenbergs Slott. Check their availability before your trip.

Trails of Different Lengths and With Different Highlights

The Bensåsleden is an approximately 19-kilometer loop from Garpenberg to Bensåsen and the nearby Bensåsgruvan. At the mine is Morfars ort, a mine adit that visitors can enter. On the return leg, the route follows an old church path. The Dammsjöleden, by contrast, is just under five kilometers long and loops around Finnhytte Dammsjön. Along the way, it passes both abandoned mines and the modern mining area of Garpenberg.

The two loop trails therefore differ both in their stated lengths and in the destinations described: the Bensåsleden includes Bensåsen, the mine, and the old church path; the Dammsjöleden circles the lake and passes various mining areas. There are several rest areas along the Dammsjöleden, with wind shelters and barbecue spots.

Banvallen is prepared as a trail for walking, cycling, and horseback riding. It mostly follows the former railway embankment of the Gruvgården–Fors line and offers views across Gruvsjön. The Pilgrimsleden also runs along Banvallen. The nearest bus stops to the trailheads are Garpenbergs kyrka and Garpenbergs herrgård. Check the current timetable before setting out.

Nature in Garpenberg

Garpenbergs arboretum is a small botanical park with unusual trees and plants. Conifers are especially well represented, including spruces and thujas. Together with the trails around Garpenberg, the park offers another nature-focused highlight alongside the town’s architectural and mining heritage.

Discover more destinations: Stjärnsund, Hedemora and Vikmanshyttan.

Back to the main travel overview: Hedemora.