Klarälvsbanan / Klarälvsleden

Klarälvsbanan and Klarälvsleden together form an approximately 220 km long cycle path that stretches from the shores of Lake Vänern on Hammarö in the south to Sysslebäck in northern Värmland. The entire trail follows the mighty Klarälven river and takes you through a landscape of lakes, valleys, farms, meadows, deep forests and villages.

From Mörudden on Hammarö there is a 10 km connection. Then Klarälvsbanan takes over - a 90 km long, paved and car-free cycle path that runs on an old railway embankment through a flat landscape. From Uddeholm, the cycling continues on the Klarälvsleden, about 120 km along smaller country roads that wind north to Sysslebäck. Here nature becomes more wild with large forests and high mountains, in the heart of the landscape of the great storytellers.

Child-friendly cycling: The Klarälvsbanan is particularly popular with families with children thanks to the fact that it is completely car-free, paved and without major climbs. If you don't want to cycle the whole route, you can choose a shorter family-friendly stage, such as Karlstad-Deje or Uddeholm-Munkfors, where you can stay overnight for a pleasant round trip. Note that some busy roads cross the track.

Here's how you can plan 4 days along the car-free Klarälvsbanan

Here you will find suggestions for how you can plan your cycling holiday along the Klarälvsbanan, completely without car traffic.

Day 1: Martha - Karlstad, about 10 km

Cycling can start at the shores of Lake Vänern via the river towards Karlstad and the entrance to the Klarälv line. The 10 km stage is simple and is undertaken without any major ascent. You notice that the city is built on a delta and the Klarälven river is often reminded. In addition to several nice, designated rest areas along the river bank, there is a beautiful city center with many nice shops.

Excursion tips along the way
Mariebergsskogen is Karlstad's city park. Here you can meet the animals in Lillskogen, explore the unique Lekträdgården and feel the history of the history of the cultural buildings and let Naturum Värmland be the start of your excursions in the warm nature of Värmland. Take a break with food, glasses or coffee. Lars Lerin is considered to be the Nordic region's foremost watercolor artist and on Sandgrund there is his permanent exhibition. With the popular boat buses you can experience Kalstad from the water. Join us on a time travel of brigade Museum where you get to know, listen, read and see how the cold war affected Sweden 1945-1991.

Suggestions for overnight stay
First Hotel River C Karlstad, phone 054-22 22 20
Elite Stadshotellet Karlstad, phone 054-29 30 00

Day 2: Karlstad - Deje, about 28 km

The starting point for the Klarälvsbanan is at Kroppkärrssjön. With its rich bird life and its famous carp (carp over 20 kilos are caught annually in the lake), there is the entrance sign and the Klarälvsbanan begins. The car-free track passes Fröding's homelands at Alsterdalen and nature changes in appearance. When you reach Edsgatan, there are deciduous forests that are classified as key biotopes with oak and hazel, almond blossoms, small bluebells and meadowsweet. You pass Lake Alstern on the right before the journey continues past Ulvsby and Åsmossen on the way to Forshaga. Before reaching Deje and the hostel, a mandatory stop at the art gallery Gamla Kraftstationen is included to enjoy art and organic food or coffee.

Excursion tips along the way
Alster mansion, Gustaf Fröding's memorial, is an 18th-century manor in a beautiful natural environment overlooking Lake Vänern. The manor is located eight kilometers east of Karlstad. Salmon fishing in Forshagaforsen is one of the best in the Nordic countries. You can buy a fishing license and book a knowledgeable guide at the fishing center. At the Klarälven beach, next to the mighty Dejeforsen Old Power Station. Here you will find a spectacular industrial building from the early 1900s which is now a cultural meeting place for theater, art, music or just a snack in a different environment. Art and industrial romance in a rare nice combination!

Suggestions for overnight stay
Kvarntorps Herrgård, phone 0704-962 743
Deje hostel, phone 070-530 48 18
Dämle Herrgård Spa & Resort, phone 0552-417 50

Day 3: Deje - Munkfors, about 28 km

From Deje you cycle further north towards Munkfors. The Klarälvsbanan has many nice rest areas, but the one in Edeby is definitely worth a stop. Here you will find information about the river and the nature of the surroundings. Just Edeby rest area is located at the old ferry terminal and the ferry was in use as late as 1981, the same year the bridge over the river was completed. Nearby is the Edeby nature reserve, which was formed to preserve an area with flood-affected deciduous forest next to the Klarälven river. A variety of bird species thrive here. A nice resting place along the road is Karls Kabyss, a memorial to the railway that once served as the guard Karl Andersson's rest cabin. Inside the small cottage there is a guest book and you can buy with nails from the old railway tracks.

Excursion tips along the way
monk rapids is Klarälven's highest natural waterfall in Bruksparken, Munkfors. There are museums and
the nature reserve Hästskoholmen with swimming area. Museum Erlandergården consists of two buildings, the schoolhouse and the memorial. Here, Tage Erlander was born in 1901. Ransäters hometown is one of Sweden's largest homesteads with a dozen or so museums and many events such as "Bälgspel vid landsvägkanten" - one of the world's largest accordion gatherings. In the area there is a cottage village, campsite, inn, trade stall and cafe.

Suggestions for overnight stay
Ransäters Hembygdsgård, telephone 076-308 1957
Munkfors Förenings och Konferenscenter, telephone 0563-501 30
Priestmyrens hostel, phone 070-394 49 83

Day 4: Munkfors - Uddeholm - Hagfors, about 30 km

The final stage runs both along the Klarälven river and along the shores of Lake Rådasjön. There are several nice rest areas along the road and you can sit down in peace and enjoy the peace for a while. Nature varies between forest and open landscapes. Klarälven-Sunnemodalen has an entire lake system connected by running watercourses. The Årosälven river flows through a ravine that has cut deep into the sediment. On the east side of the course in the north / south direction, care trees grow, which are also called giant trees. Before you reach the hotel in Uddeholm, large beach pastures open up and spread down towards the shores of Lake Rådasjön. Once in Uddeholm, the finish line is adjacent to the hotel. The Uddeholm-Hagfors section takes you onto the Klarälvsleden, and there you can choose to continue your cycling adventure north.

Excursion tips along the way
Brattfallet in Ekshärad is a 10 meter high waterfall with a deep canyon. At high water flows, the fall is powerful. In the summer, when the water level is low, you can climb in the fall and three hiking trails start from here. The beautiful stone bridge is from 1923 when the road was built by hand over the mountains in previously roadless land. Monica Z - Hagfors Memorial Museum with an exhibition about the world artist Monica Zetterlund's life and Hagfors history. There are many fine nature reserves in the area. In the middle of central Hagfors there is nature reserve Mana-Örbäcken, an unspoilt oasis with ancient magical natural forest that has managed itself for centuries. The adventure begins behind Hagfors town hall.

Suggestions for overnight stay
Rådastrands Camping, phone 0563-605 60
Björnbyn holiday village, phone 0563-600 62
Geiijersholms Herrgård, phone 079-079 14 24