Vansbro at the Confluence of Two Rivers

In the centre of Vansbro, the riverside promenade lies where the Vanån and Västerdalälven meet. Vansbro offers several distinct themes for trip planning: open-water swimming, cultural history, and routes for walking, cycling or riding a railbike.

Water and Vansbrosimningen

The 3 km Vansbrosimningen open-water swimming event was first held in 1950. Participants swim 2 km in the Vanån and 1 km in the Västerdalälven; ten people took part in the first event.

Church and Industrial History

Vansbro Church stands in a pine grove on the eastern bank of the Vanån and has a detached bell tower. It was consecrated in 1935, after parts of the local industry initiated and funded its construction. The church’s history thus links a specific place with Vansbro’s industrial development.

The Vansbro Sawmill Museum’s central exhibit is an authentic sawmill workers’ home. The exhibition shows how workers lived in the first decades of the 20th century. The museum is open when the library is open, so plan your visit around the library’s opening hours.

The Vansbro heritage centre at Udden includes a loft building, a bakehouse and a granary. The Jofsstugan on the grounds once served, among other things, as an overnight hut for log drivers on the Vanån. An outdoor stage and an old steam locomotive are features of Lokparken.

Hiking Trails, Cycling Routes and Railbikes

Vansbro Municipality has 510 km of nature trails for hiking or cycling. One specific hiking option is Storsjön runt: the circular route is 8 to 12 km long and rated moderate. It passes through spruce forest and wetlands, with some sections running along wooden boardwalks. Conditions vary with the season and the weather. There are rest areas along the hiking trail by Närssjön.

Several cycling routes in the Vansbro–Dala-Järna area follow the banks of the Västerdalälven and the Vanån. Benches are strategically placed along the routes. Hiking and mountain biking trails start at Snöå Bruk. The site was founded in 1811 as an ironworks with a forge.

Railbike tours start in Dalasågen, 3 km north of Vansbro; the route is approximately 15 km long. Conditions and booking requirements may vary seasonally. At Station Sågen, a railbike route runs for many kilometres through the wilderness. Check seasonal opening information before setting out.

In winter, Snöå Ski Stadium offers cross-country skiing on illuminated trails, subject to winter and snow conditions.

A Café by Storsjön

Ryggåsstugan, a café, is located at the outlet of Storsjön. All baked goods and meals are prepared from scratch in its kitchen and bakery. Opening hours may vary, so check them for your planned visit.

Discover more destinations: Nås, Äppelbo, Vansbro, Rutån, Malung-Sälen, Orsa, Borlänge and Älvdalen.

For the overview of the wider area: Dalarna County.