Insjön: Cultural History, Handicrafts and Cycling

Those considering Insjön as a destination can choose between cultural history and handicrafts, cycling, and activities on the water. The topics range from a church whose exterior has largely been preserved, to historical collections and craft training, as well as a cycling route, a navigable waterway, and a picnic spot. The main differences are whether you are looking for architectural and collection history, a specific craft, or activities on land and water.

Cultural History and Handicrafts

Åhls kyrka was built between 1761 and 1767 in the neoclassical style. Its exterior has remained largely unchanged since it was built, in the 1760s. The construction dates place the building in its historical context; the largely unchanged exterior points to continuity since that time. The construction period and appearance thus offer two different points of reference for understanding the church’s architecture.

Åhls Minnesgård in Vattberget, Insjön, comprises buildings dating from the 16th to the 19th century. Its houses, fences, and objects offer a picture of the living environment of a farming family over the centuries. Åhls Minnesgård also displays objects from mining in Åhls socken. Thus, the age of the buildings and the portrayal of rural life sit alongside another topic: the history of mining.

Åhls dräktkammare displays the Åhl folk costume and various associated items, particularly those belonging to the women’s costume. The Clas Ohlson Museum has a different focus: it presents the history of Clas Ohlson, the company, and 100 years of material culture. The costume and its accessories thus sit alongside personal, business, and material history as clearly distinct topics.

Sätergläntan in Insjön offers short courses, distance-learning courses, and year-long programs in blacksmithing, sewing, woodworking, and weaving. The formats range from short courses to year-long programs, and the subjects cover a variety of crafts. If you have a particular subject or format in mind, check its current availability before making plans, as individual courses may change.

Cycling and Water

Cykelfrämjandet offers a 30-kilometer cycling route around Lake Insjön. It runs mostly on asphalt and partly on gravel roads, and was created for Leksand’s Cycling Week 2024. The municipality also identifies outdoor fitness trails in Insjön, Källberget, and Siljansnäs as particularly suitable for cycling. You can therefore choose between different options: a specific route with a stated distance and mixed surfaces, and outdoor fitness trails in three locations.

Visitors can moor at the guest pier of Insjöns Båtklubb, where electricity and water are available. If you plan to use these facilities, confirm their availability before arriving. The waterway from Insjön via the Österdalälven is navigable for 15 kilometers south to Gråda kraftverk and for just under 70 kilometers north to Orsa. The two directions therefore differ both in distance and destination.

Prästön in Insjön is a picnic spot for visitors arriving by boat or on skates. These modes of arrival are expressly included in the described use of the picnic spot.

Discover more destinations: Siljansnäs, Leksand, Hjortnäs, Djura, Tällberg.

Go to the main travel overview: Leksand.