THE IRON PATH

A guided historic and active tour from the mines in Norberg to the smithy forges in Färna

Rent of canoes, kayaks 

Rent of bicycles

Beaver safari 

Moose safari

Canoe, bicycle tours

Day 1) Check in at Klackbergsgården in Norberg. 07:00 PM we meet for dinner in the restaurant 

Dag 2) Klackbergsgården lies at the feet of the 1300-century well-known Mons Ferri (Järnberget). A guided hike takes us through the old mine field and up on the mountain. In Klackbergs mine field we let to know the ghost story about the mine lady and other thrilling legends. With bicycles we cycle to Lapphyttan which is Europe's oldest evidences on ironwork producing. New Lapphyttan is a reconstruction of the ironwork from the Middle-Age (from 1100 century) A guided  tour let you imagine the heat from melted iron ore, the sound of the hammer and the hissings from the bellows. The first ironworks were founded in direct connection with the ore mines. Later the iron ore were placed on train carriages. The iron ore were transported south along lakes and rivers. Our tour follow the historical transport trail to ironworks and smithies. We follow the Iron Path with bicycles along the curly road to Broarna. Further with canoes along the lake Snytens beautiful and narrow watercourse. At Annelund we get ashore to visit the place where August Ålund (founder of Ängelsbergs oil refinery) did his oil refinery experiments. The ironwork in Ängelsberg has ancestry from the Middle-Age and is one of UNESCO's word inherited sites. A guided tour take us around in the historical site. We have our dinner at the good rank restaurant Nya Serveringen. The word inherited village has an unique and exciting architecture. The architecture of the two castles have inspired the architects who built the villas of the turn of the century. Some villas have a variation of small towers. One of these villas is the pension hostel Tallbacka were we stay for the night

Day 3) The breakfast bid on stunning views. In canoes we paddle out on the lake Åmänningens blue water. We get ashore on the island Oljeön on which the world's oldest preserved oil refinery is located. A guided tour take us around the island and we let to know the thrilling history and funny stories behind the site. Next time we get ashore is on the Dunshammar peninsula. Here one of the earliest iron producing spots is located. The old evidence consist of stone ovens from the Iron-Age. We paddle further in an archipelago with open water and plenty of big and small islands. This is The Strömsholm’s Channels broadest point (on its 110 kilometres course). From Djupnäs we start our hike along Bruksleden. We “climb” Landsberget, which is one of the province Västmanland's highest mountains. Here a high watch tower is located and at clear weather We get a good view on the surrounding lakes and mountains. In the ironwork in Trummelsberg the iron ore were processed to pig iron. A guided tour take us around in the former ironwork which today is an interesting “ghost town”. On a flourishing meadow next to small lake we stay overnight in teepees/tents. A small dock invites to swimming and relaxation. In the light of a bonfire we eat a delicious wilderness dinner

  Day 4) The pig iron was loaded on barges which were transported along Gunnilboåns winding course. We paddle along the drawn-out big Kedjen and later over the little smaller The Small Kedjen. In order for the barges to get between the lakes a channel was dug. We paddle down stream in the iron's keel water. The clear water murmurs in the deep pine forest. The only sounds to hear are from the forest itself. We are on beaver rich land and if we are lucky we might get a chance to see the small rodents. To the evening we reach the village Färna. This is were the barges stopped. The pig iron was unloaded and carried in to the smithy forges. Here a various amount of tools were produced. Our acing paddle, hike and bike muscles get a well deserved relaxation in the pool and sauna at the spa in Färna. The spa is located in the garden of Färna manor-house. We finish our tour with a delicious dinner in the restaurant  

The second night we spend on a hill with good views over the river 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Type of paddling/landscape description: The shores are covered by pine forest. The paddling is easy flat water paddling whiteout current water. We follow the rivers downstream

Equipment: Paddling in canoes with kayaks as option. The canoes are founded in the strong hard plastic material polyethylene and are in very good shape. The kayaks are stable sea kayaks with broad waist constructed to manage big waves and strong wind in sea conditions. The bikes are substantial Yosemite Cruisers with broad tires. More information about the equipment (link)

Personal equipment: Equipment that are not needed during the day will be transported overland to each nights accommodation

Evening dress: Jeans and sport clothes are recommended

Information: At the starting point we provide information about the tour, the canoes, safety and paddle technique. At each dinner detailed information about the next days program is provided