The Iron Trail, Kristinehamn
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The Iron Trail, Kristinehamn A hiking trail in the path of the iron Bergsjötorpet - Niklasdamm Medium 5 km, 1.5-2 hrs A nature trail full ov diversity and history To begin with you walk mostly through old forest. After some kilometres you arrive at Ljustjärnen, a picnic spot off ering a lovely view. Here there is a campfi re site, a windbreak and a place to set up some tents and a dry toilet a few hundred meters from the picnic spot. The Hagdahl Photo: Richard trail goes on over Bromossen and the 200-meter long footbridge and continues across a large clearing with an avenue of high tree stumps. At Eskilstorp you will fi nd a well-preserved Go for a walk on land of historical importan- was decided at Kristinehamn’s Fastingsmarknad, charcoal kiln and the remains of an old charcoal ce, where Duke Karl established a trail along the market that was held every Lent (the time of hut where charcoal was made for use in the which iron was transported. The eastern fasting). From the end of the 18th century and local factory. There is also a bench here where Värmland and Bergslagen areas have played for the whole century that followed, it was from you can rest your legs before you continue an important role in Sweden’s development: Kristinehamn that the iron mined in Bergslagen to Niklasdamm. After a short walk along a it was here that iron ore was mined, refi ned was exported. country road the trail swings off into the woods and transported to Lake Vänern to be sent along by a stone wall, past a little dam which out into the world. The political reason functions as a water reservoir and through the behind this was to break the German trading remains of a former English Park with terraces monopoly of the time. Today, the trail is an Nature The hiking trail is 30 km long and passes th- and stone steps. Once at the manor house and authorized Värmland trail that off ers hikers a rough a landscape of historical interest. Taking the large pond nearby, there is a headland with safe, challenging and informative walk. The you through varied countryside the trail passes a comfortable rest area. In the area you can see Iron Trail is selected to be one of Sweden’s small ponds and lakes, crosses marshland, wo- traces of the iron works, saw mill and a pond ten best walking trails. Photo: Bengt Salander odland and fi elds, and joins up with a country that supplied the mill with water. Please respect lane. The trees in the surrounding forests are the fact that the manor house itself is a private of varying ages; they are mostly coniferous but residence. On the café wall is a water tap where History are interspersed with deciduous trees. On your you can fi ll up your water fl ask. In a special glass The background of the hiking trail is the historic journey you pass several historic sites, ancient geranium greenhouse there is a geranium mu- importance of iron to Kristinehamn: it was the remains and places of interest. You may en- seum with over 400 species of geranium. Stop route taken by the iron that resulted in a town counter animals, birds, butterfl ies, deer and elk; a while and taste geranium cake at Niklasdam’s being formed just here. The Iron Trial follows in the autumn, you can pick all the berries and café. the paths and tracks that were used, maybe mushrooms you like. The fl ora is both rich and Pelargonmuseum as far back as at the end of the 15th century, beautiful along the roadside on the stretches Niklasdamm – Älvbron (Älv Bridge) when the iron was transported southwards that pass by open farmland, for example just Medium 4 km, 1.5-2 hrs from Värmland’s mining district down to the north of Niklasdam. You begin the walk on a tractor road, which coast of Lake Vänern and the settlement of doubles as a bridle path, passing agricultural Bro, which became Kristinehamn when it was countryside and a ruined cottage at Bråne, granted its municipal charter in 1642. King continue about 1 km before you swing off into Gustav Vasa realized the strategic importance Stages the forest and follow the Varnan river. The forest Hytte - Bergsjötorpet of the mining district and ordered a transport is mature here and a little dark, yet it is still an Medium 5 km, 1.5-2 hrs route to be created but it was his son, Duke Karl, enjoyable experience to follow the river. Take An easy stretch on dirt and forest tracks. The who actually constructed it. The trail stretches a seat on the bench placed right in the middle challenge is the hill at Varrvikshöjden, which from Hytte on Hyttsjön lake to the centre of of the forest, enjoy the peace and listen to the requires a little more eff ort. You follow parts of Illustration: Kjell Sjundberg Kristinehamn. Illustrations by the local artist murmuring water of the Varnen. Perhaps you Norsbäckens kanal, the old transport canal that Kjell Sundberg, posted on several information will see some wildlife passing by the river. If was opened at the end of the 1630s. It was used boards, bring the history of the trail alive. When there is a lot of rain this stretch can be quite Christina Skan, Mats Öhman, John Persson, Pernilla Andersson Pernilla Christina Skan, Mats Öhman, John Persson, to take the iron to Sjöändan at the southern end the Norsbäcken canal was built at the end of the wet and then you can continue on the rough of the Bergsjön lake, which you can also see. 1630s the iron was taken by water all the way tack to the Älvbron instead of swinging into Just before you reach the homestead Bergsjö- to Sjöändan, on the Bergsjön lake, and the Iron the forest and following the river. South of the torpet, you pass by many magnifi cent oak trees. Trail lost its function as a transport route. In the bridge (Älvbron) you can see the remains of an ironworks. There is a picnic spot here with tables Photos frontpage frontpage Photos period 1689-1850 the world market price of iron barges, which at one time transported iron Varnumsviken along the Bergslag’s Canal waterway system. You can also choose to start from Niklasdams Garden Centre – where there is a café, market garden and a geranium museum. You can get here in your own car. Much of the history of iron has been preserved here too and on a headland Photo: Mats Öhman you will find probably the finest picnic spot on Photo: Lars-Peter Jansson Photo: Lars-Peter the trail. Other possible starting points are Kristinehamn’s guest harbour, Fornborgen (ancient castle) and Älvbron, which you can get to by bus and a short walk. Service Along the trail there are a number of rest areas, WCs and dry toilets. At the Ljustjärnen pond there is a wind break and a campfire and benches. through Kristinehamn’s harbour area and past a site. The facilities at each place are all marked modern multi-modal transport terminal, which on the map. Drinking water is available at Älvbron - Gustafsvik handles goods from parts of Sweden and the Nässundet’s station, Niklasdam’s garden centre Medium (The section up to the hill fort: dif- rest of the world. Once at Kristinehamn’s guest and Kristinehamn’s guest harbour. ficult) 9 km, 3-4 hrs. harbour and camper stand you will encounter The stretch between Älvbron and the Fornbor- the sailing ship Christine af Bro, a Boeier yacht. gen hill fort is a wonderful woodland walk. It passes a modern stone quarry and a disused This type of vessel transported pig-iron and Accessibility Photo: Bernt Magnusson one; there is a dry toilet here. The path then bar-iron to Gothenburg, where it was shipped The Iron Trail is well marked and can be fol- leads up a hill, at the top of which are the out into the rest of the world. The boeier makes lowed without a map. A map is, however, useful remains of an Iron Age hill fort. Take a seat regular trips on Lake Vänern. as it contains information and ideas that can on the bench here for a well-deserved rest. A help you plan your hike. There are around 800 cattle tunnel takes you under the E18 highway In the guest harbour there is a hard stand for marked wooden posts, arrows and signposts, and past a “tea spring”, where it is claimed that campers, shower, toilet, simple café, Thai restau- several wooden walkways and bridges, a num- Georg Adlersparre found water that was good rant and an adventure mini golf course. ber of wooden picnic tables and seats as well as enough for making his tea with! A short detour information boards with historical information. from the trail takes you to the grounds of the The posts and trees along the trail are marked old manor where Georg Adlersparre once lived. Many Alternatives with orange paint; in Kristinehamn, it is marked You are free to choose your starting point for with orange plastic bands tied around lamp Gustafsvik – Kristinehamn’s Guest Harbour the walk even though the official and historic posts, with blue/white arrows showing the way. Easy 7 km, 2-3 hrs start is at Hytte. Many walkers choose to take Be observant at road crossings, and make sure An easy-going stage with walks/cycle-path and the bus or in summer the train to Nässundet’s you don’t lose sight of the trail markings! town tour.