Billingsfors on Lake Laxsjön: Canal, Heritage and Nature
Accommodation in Billingsfors
Billingsfors lies right on Lake Laxsjön, while the Dalsland Canal runs through the town. The lake and waterway thus shape two distinct sides of the destination. There are also historic buildings and trails in nature. If you’re looking for accommodation in Billingsfors, you can plan your stay around these interests: the locks and church showcase architectural history, the open-air theater offers culture, and the Ösan Nature Reserve has trails, a bathing area and a lakeside setting.
Church, Canal and Local History
Billingsfors Church was built of wood between 1761 and 1763. It stands on an island in Lake Laxsjön, connected to the mainland by an iron bridge. The church houses a positive organ built in the 18th century, which now stands in the chancel. Its construction period, material and island location give the building a distinctive historical and geographical character; the positive organ adds a detail about its interior furnishings.
Those interested in water engineering will find a different focus at the Dalsland Canal. The Billingsfors lock station consists of two single locks leading from Lake Laxsjön to Bengtsbrohöljen. The lower single lock is right next to the paper mill. Here, the connection between the two bodies of water and the lock system itself take center stage, while the church brings together architectural history and its island setting.
Another cultural venue is the open-air theater in Billingsfors. It was built in 1792, has 200 seats and continues to be used by local music and theater associations for concerts and performances. This brings together a historic building and its continued use by local associations. If a concert or performance is the reason for your trip, check the dates in advance.
Ösan and Trails by the Water
Ösan Nature Reserve lies east of Billingsfors on a peninsula in Lake Laxsjön. It has easy-to-walk trails and a bathing area, and the reserve is also easy to reach by canoe. Trails, a bathing area and canoeing offer different ways to explore the area without the need for a long hike to be the main focus.
To reach Ösan from Billingsfors, turn off Route 172 north of the lock in the direction of Strandvägen, then follow Strandvägen to the end. The turn north of the lock and the route to the end of Strandvägen are the key landmarks for getting there.
For a longer hike, the Brända Berget trail is a separate option: it is 9 or 11 km long and passes the Dalsland Canal and Höljerudsforsarna. If you’d rather explore a cycling route, there is a cycle path between Billingsfors and Bengtsfors that runs along the west side of Bengtsbrohöljen. The differences are clear: Brända Berget is described as a hiking trail with two distance options, while the cycle path is defined by its endpoints and route along Bengtsbrohöljen.
The Höljerudsforsarna rapids and the hillside to their east are also near Billingsfors. Together, they form a nature reserve of about 45 hectares. Lake Laxsjön is another option for nature enthusiasts: trout, pike and perch are caught there near Billingsfors. Depending on your interests, you can choose between church and canal history, hiking, cycling and the lake as a natural environment.
Discover more destinations: Bengtsfors, Gustavsfors, Ödskölt, Bäckefors, Dals Långed.
Back to the main travel overview: Bengtsfors.
