Bengtsfors: 399 Lakes, the Dalsland Canal and Culture
The municipality of Bengtsfors has 399 lakes. The Dalsland Canal is 253 kilometres long; a large part of its route runs through the municipality. Other places at this level are Bengtsfors, Billingsfors, Bäckefors, Dals Långed, Ödskölt and Gustavsfors.
Waterways and Waterfronts
The Bengtsfors waterfront promenade runs along the shores of Lelång, Bengtsbrohöljen and the Dalsland Canal. Along the promenade, there are opportunities for swimming, boat traffic, attractive lock surroundings, green spaces and parks. Bengtsfors Lock is a double lock at the entrance to the Dalsland Canal, at the northern tip of Bengtsbrohöljen.
In Bengtsfors, nearly 400 bodies of water invite you to go canoeing or kayaking, either with a rented boat or your own. Dalslands Camping & Kanotcentral rents canoes and canoeing equipment, as well as bicycles for exploring along the canal. DANO provides organised tent sites along the waterway; there, you can paddle between islands and camp with consideration for the environment.
Angling is possible on hundreds of lakes and in several fisheries management areas. Höljerudsforsarna is part of the Höljerudsforsarna nature reserve and is known for trout and white-throated dippers; the area also offers good berry- and mushroom-picking grounds.
Culture and History
At Majberget in Bengtsfors, Halmens Hus presents a permanent exhibition about the importance of straw in Dalsland. There are also temporary exhibitions and courses, mainly focusing on straw, but also on birch bark, willow and reeds.
The open-air museum Gammelgården is also located on Majberget. Visitors are free to move among the historic buildings. The museum comprises more than 20 historic buildings, including the home of a prosperous farmer, a crofter's cottage, a soldier's cottage, a miller's room, as well as various workshops and farm buildings.
EKA-Miljörum, also known as EKA-Parken, is located by Lake Bengtsbrohöljen in central Bengtsfors. It is regarded as Sweden's first environmental area. The exhibitions focus on the industrial history of the EKA area and the remediation project that transformed the contaminated site into today's park. Children can enjoy a stone labyrinth, a water play area and a stream garden with stepping stones.
Central Bengtsfors is also home to a graffiti wall created by Carolina Falkholt.
Hiking and Cycling
Bengtsfors has hiking trails and walking areas with short walks of about an hour as well as longer tours lasting several days. The Brända Berget hiking trail is 9 or 11 kilometres long and starts at Vandrarhemmet Gammelgården in Bengtsfors.
The signposted Vänerleden tourist cycle route is part of Bengtsfors's tourism offering. Unionsleden is 350 kilometres long and stretches from Moss in Norway to Karlstad in Sweden. On the DVVJ draisine route, a 50-kilometre stretch connects Bengtsfors with Kyrkerud near Årjäng.
Activities Around Dals LÃ¥nged
Dalslands Aktiviteter at Steneby gård outside Dals Långed is an experience centre with more than 50 activities. The offerings include a high ropes course, zip lines and pole vaulting. Horse-riding excursions are also available; along the Stenebyälven, there is a jetty accessible to wheelchair users and people with prams.
Routes Through the Canal Area
Cultural Route No. 5 runs through the northern parts of the Dalsland Canal. It detours to Lakes Östra Silen and Västra Silen, which are considered side branches of the canal, and continues to Bengtsfors.
On the DVVJ line, you can travel by train between Bengtsfors and Mellerud. Y1 railcars from the 1980s are used.
For the higher-level travel overview: Västra Götaland.
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