Hofors – Trails, Lakes and Industrial History

The Hälsans Stig circular trail begins in the centre of Hofors, passes Hofors Church, goes around Hammardammen and then returns to the centre.

Nature and Exercise

The southern section of the Gästrikeleden begins centrally in Hofors behind the ice rink at the Stålringen sports grounds. In the Hofors area, this section is an 8- to 10-kilometre forest hike there and back. The Hofors exercise trails begin between Hoforshallen and Stålringen; there is an outdoor fitness area at the starting point. Two loops are 2.5 and 5 kilometres long respectively and are illuminated.

The Storflyslingan is 4.2 kilometres long and has a barbecue area and two wind shelters. A 2.8-kilometre walking and exercise loop runs around Lake Hammardammen. Beside it stands a wind shelter by the lake with benches, picnic tables, a barbecue area and a wood store. Two marked trails, 5.5 and 11 kilometres long respectively, also branch off from the Hofors exercise trails; they are marked blue and pink respectively. Different trail lengths and markings make comparison easier when planning the day.

Culture and History

Hofors Church was built in 1962 and has both modern and traditional interior features. Inside are communion vessels made by Jakob Ängman. Kornskruven, a former granary, now houses an industrial museum with collections on the local history of mining and iron processing.

Hofors Hembygdsgård is located in a wooden workers’ residence from the 1870s belonging to the ironworks. Three residential periods are presented there through a single-room dwelling from the 1880s, an apartment from the 1920s and an apartment from the 1950s. There is also a permanent exhibition about Kerstin Hesselgren.

Hofors Herrgård was built by the industrial Petre family between 1799 and 1803. Its façade is characterised by restrained Neoclassicism; the preserved interior displays both Rococo and Neoclassical features. Stollgången is a 265-metre-long mine tunnel that opened at the end of the 18th century. The recreational area around Stollgången, popularly known as “Stollen”, is also accessible outside visiting hours.

Gammelstilla Bruk has origins dating back to the 1650s and a long history of iron processing. At Gammelstilla Café, operated by Kanalkiosken, food and fika are served in summer in a historic ironworks setting. Gammelstilla Whisky offers tastings of the whiskies “Isak Mackey” and “Jern”; booking is required for these tastings. More than 200 varieties can be seen at the Pelargon Museum.

Lakes and Golf

Lake Lissjön, about three kilometres from the centre of Hofors, is a put-and-take lake for rainbow trout fishing. At Lissjön there are five wind shelters, two toilets, pitches for caravans or motorhomes and ten jetties, one of which is accessible to wheelchair users.

At the Hubo-Långsjön put-and-take lake, 20 tonnes of rainbow trout are released annually. There are 35 jetties and ten wind shelters, as well as an accessible fishing area with a jetty, wind shelter and toilet.

Hofors Golfklubb has an 18-hole course by Lake Storgösken, set in woodland and parkland. Hofors Golfklubb also offers golf lessons, a driving range and a practice area.

Geographical Location

Hofors is located in the western part of Gästrikland, near the province of Dalarna. Nearby destinations include Hofors and Torsåker.

For the overarching travel overview: Gävleborg.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Ljusdal, Nordanstig, Sandviken, Gävle, Trönödal, Bollnäs.