Sävar: River Landscape and History

The Sävarån flows through Sävar, dividing the village from north to south. It is a thread running through the landscape and history: the lower reaches are home to distinctive natural environments, while historical traces point to the area’s former uses. If you are considering Sävar as a travel destination, you can make river nature, routes by water and land, and historical connections different focal points of your trip.

River Landscape and Activities

The Sävarån has been designated an area of national interest because of its distinctive natural features. Its lower reaches include special habitats such as wet meadows and deciduous forest swamps. At Nedre Sävarån, the unregulated river and a mosaic of deciduous forests, wetlands, coniferous forests, and sea inlets form a diverse natural landscape.

The lower reaches of the Sävarån, from the E4 to its mouth at Skeppsvik, are a canoe route. A paddling trip starts at the E4 bridge near Sävar. Sävarkanot offers canoe and kayak trips from Sävar to Skeppsvik along the Sävarån. Check that the route is available before your trip.

A hiking trail starts in nearby Pålböle, a short distance upstream from Sävar, and continues along the river. The two routes differ in activity and in the section they cover: the canoe route follows the lower reaches to Skeppsvik, while the hiking trail starts upstream in Pålböle. You can then choose whether to experience the river by canoe or along a hiking trail.

Sävar’s ski trails start at Skogsvallen IP on Aspvägen, where parking is also available. If you plan to drive to this starting point, check the parking situation before setting out. For trip planning, the ski trails add a winter option to the river-based activities; unlike paddling and hiking, they focus on snow.

History of the Area

Archaeological finds show that Sävar has been partly inhabited for around 4,000 years. Its later industrial history includes a sawmill built on the Sävarån in 1787 and the Sävar ironworks, which operated from 1804 to 1865. The sawmill preceded the ironworks’ period of operation. On Bruksbacken, the plateau along the west side of the Sävarån, the historical connection between Sävar and the ironworks can still be traced. The area’s early settlement and industrial history thus represent different chapters in its past.

The Battle of Sävar was fought between Sweden and Russia in 1808–1809. It began on August 19 at Krutbrånet. Sävar Church was inaugurated in 1934, after the previous church burned down. It is open on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; check the opening hours before your visit.

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