Degerfors: Nature, Trails and Industrial Heritage

Discover Degerfors through its diverse nature and cultural experiences: landscapes shaped by the Ice Age, bogs and forests sit alongside traces of ironworking and opportunities for active days out. Geology, birdwatching, marked trails and local traditions offer a range of starting points for planning your trip.

Glacial formations, forests and bogs

Sveafallen Nature Reserve is geologically significant and characterised by potholes and glacial erratics. More than 200 potholes have been found there so far, and more are discovered every year. Striking glacial formations are also a key feature of the municipal Degernäs-Ramshöjden Nature Reserve. At about 70 metres high, Ramshöjden is part of the Lokaåsen esker; there are also forest trails. The two areas highlight different aspects of the landscape shaped by the Ice Age.

In Lidetorpsmon lies Djupa hålet, a kettle hole that is 46 metres deep and completely dry. A marked, two-kilometre trail leads around the large hollow. The area also includes an old forest with trees of different ages, as well as decaying and dead wood. The striking geological feature thus goes hand in hand with an insight into the diversity of the forest.

Vargavidderna has a different character, bringing together extensive bogs, boulder-rich natural forests and nutrient-poor Lake Gryten. There is a birdwatching tower among the bogs. If you are particularly interested in landforms, Sveafallen and Lidetorpsmon offer specific geological features; Vargavidderna, by contrast, brings bog, forest and lake together in one natural area.

Trails for different outings

A marked 3.5-kilometre trail runs through Jätteberget Nature Reserve. There is also a separate marked 500-metre trail from the car park to Jätteberget, where there is a picnic and barbecue area. In Rönningshyttan, a 1.6-kilometre walking loop follows the old furnace dam and the stream. The longest of the three trails is the 3.5-kilometre marked trail through the nature reserve; the marked trail from the car park to Jätteberget, where there is a picnic and barbecue area, is 500 metres long, while the loop along the old furnace dam and the stream in Rönningshyttan is 1.6 kilometres long.

In Duvedalsängarna, a 1.2-kilometre walking trail passes through an area known for its rich variety of flora and fauna. A flat, accessible walking trail runs along the shore around Lusthusudden. The trail situation at Östra Sälsjömossen is also clear: there is a car park and an information board, but no marked trails.

Birdwatching and nature experiences

Östra Sälsjömossen offers a special opportunity to observe nature: from the woodland along the shore, you can watch black grouse displaying on the bog. In spring and early summer, you can also hear the call of the cuckoo there. This seasonal difference may help with planning if you are specifically hoping to see birds or hear the cuckoo’s call.

At Vargavidderna, the birdwatching tower among the bogs invites you to observe birds. Another natural highlight can be found at Gäddtjärn, where the rare red water lily grows. If you prefer fishing, consider the Karlskoga-Degerfors tourist fishing licence: it is valid for fishing in 45 lakes over a period of ten days. Birdwatching, plant life and fishing thus offer different ways to enjoy nature.

Industrial heritage and local traditions

At Rönningshyttan, remains of a dam wall, a blast furnace ruin, slag heaps and a stone lining along the stream have been preserved. The walking loop along the old furnace dam and the stream passes through an area where the historic remains offer a tangible impression of ironworking. If you are interested in industrial history, you can weigh up this destination alongside the region’s geological and nature-focused attractions when planning your trip.

The traditional Åtorpsmarken market takes place on the last Saturday in September and fills the whole of Åtorp. Nysunds Church is a wooden church built in 1638. Both destinations complement the nature and industrial experiences with local tradition and architectural history, without requiring any particular itinerary.

A draisine ride

The Trelänsbanan draisine ride starts at Ängebäck station, two kilometres from Degerfors centre. One suitable trip is from there to the Håkanbol rest stop. The route is 7.5 kilometres long; two to three hours are set aside for the round trip. This time estimate is a useful point of reference if you would like to include a draisine trip in your day’s plans.

Discover more destinations: Åtorp, Svartå, Askersund, Nora, Lekeberg, Vintrosa, Örebro, Lindesberg.

Go to the main travel overview: Örebro.