Scan Magazine | Special Theme | An Autumn in Sweden
Laxholmen, Munkfors, is another must for anyone interested in arts and culture.
The waterfall Brattfallet is one of the must-sees along the way.
Klarälvsbanan, the stretch from Karlstad to Uddeholm, goes along an old car-free railway bank.
Explore Sweden in miniature One of the best ways to explore the shifting scenery of the Swedish region Värmland is to follow the biking and hiking trails Klarälvsbanan and Klarälvsleden, stretching 220 kilometres from Karlstad to Sysslebäck.
the trail can be used in spring, summer and autumn. Exploring the area in early autumn has great benefits.
By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Per Eriksson
“It is easier to find accommodation and the weather has been really nice in September over the past few years. You can also pick mushrooms and berries then too,” says Andersson.
“I usually describe Värmland as a Sweden in miniature. We have coast along Sweden’s largest lake Vänern, forests towards Norway, mountains in the north and a flatter landscape in the east. We also have our big city, Karlstad, so we have a little bit of everything,” says Madelene Andersson, head of tourism at Hagfors Municipality.
old railway bank and are car-free. The second part, Klarälvsleden, going to Sysslebäck in the north, is not completely free of cars but runs along small roads suitable for biking and hiking.
Life by the river
Klarälvsbanan and Klarälvsleden stretch a total of 220 kilometres along the river Klarälven from south to north. It is slightly uphill going north, but otherwise quite flat and suitable for anyone from professional cyclists to families with children.
Deep forests, waterfalls and the river Klarälven – running through the entire region from the mountains to lake Vänern – are all part of the experience. Go kayaking, paddling or fishing – or simply soak up the beautiful sights from your bike. If you are more interested in arts and culture, make sure to visit places such as Deje Kraftstation or Laxholmen in Munkfors.
Start the first ten kilometres of your journey at Hammarö by lake Vänern and connect to Klarälvsbanan at Kroppkärrsjön in Karlstad. The following 90 kilometres to Uddeholm go along an
Tour operators are at hand to help with luggage transportation, bike rental or transport if you want to go just one way or part of the stretch. Accommodation of all kinds is available along the way and
TOP PICKS 1. Salmon fishing in Forshaga and Sysslebäck. 2. The railway museum in Hagfors with trolley rides. 3. Sandgrund Lars Lerin and Värmlands Museum, Karlstad. 4. Arts and culture at the old power station Deje Kraftstation. 5. Local and/or organic food in Höje and Torfolk Gård. 6. The canyon and waterfall Brattfallet.
68 | Issue 91 | August 2016
For more information, please visit: www.klaralvsbanan.se/en