Ski hotel in Älvdalen – porphyry history and winter activities

The summit of Hykjeberget is 594 metres above sea level; below the summit, the mountain drops away in an almost vertical, 100-metre-high rock face. For a winter perspective, the town’s ice rink is also worth mentioning, where the public can go ice skating from September to March.

Culture and history

The oldest parts of Älvdalen’s present-day church date from the 1580s. At that time, the first stone church was built on this site. Another historical trace leads to Rots Skans, a fortification built in 1677 during the reign of Charles XI. Within the ramparts is an open-air museum with around 20 buildings. The museum grounds showcase settlements, forms of housing and crafts from the late Middle Ages to around 1900. Guided tours of Rots Skans can be booked in advance.

Porphyry processing is closely connected with the region’s history. Nya Porfyrverket was founded in 1897 by Frost Anders Andersson in Västäng and is considered one of Dalarna’s most important industrial monuments. The interior and machinery have remained practically unchanged since around 1900. Guided tours are offered there in summer, but porphyry is no longer produced at Nya Porfyrverket today. The Porphyry and Hagström Museum has a permanent exhibition on porphyry production, as well as another exhibition on the accordions, guitars and amplifiers of AB Albin Hagström.

The quarries at Blyberget are also part of this historical context. The old quarry was used from the beginning of the porphyry era in 1788 until the early 1940s. The new quarry opened in 1939 and was used until the 1960s. The surroundings of the porphyry quarries at Blyberget are of great cultural and historical importance; a small exhibition provides insights into the arduous extraction of stone.

Nature and trails

The Blyberget Nature Reserve has a hiking trail, a rest or shelter hut and a picnic area. The section of the Österdalälven below the Åsen power station as far as Storbrott has not been altered by the development of hydropower plants. Another notable trail connection is the Vasaloppsspåret nature reserve: the classic route runs for 90 kilometres from Sälen through Älvdalen Municipality to the finish in Mora.

Historical connections also accompany the circular trail to Mimmikulle. Mimmikulle is considered the place where the first executions of people accused of witchcraft in Älvdalen are said to have taken place. The historical circular trail ends with a coffee break on the banks of the Österdalälven. The Romboleden section is well marked; at intervals of a few kilometres, there are shelters with associated toilets. The Romboleden starts at the Älvdalen Älvdalsskolan bus stop, with the church just a one-minute walk away.

Waterways and activities

Älvdalens Fiskevårdsområde covers fishing waters in rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. The flowing waters are mainly home to trout and grayling. Most of the fishing waters in Älvdalens Fiskevårdsområde can be reached from roads. Fishing is possible at Porfyrdammen in both summer and winter. There is also a shelter on a promontory there.

Älvdalens Cykelklubb organises MTB activities for all age groups and offers group training sessions and courses. The recreational area at Älvdalen’s shooting range can be used outside military exercises, but only during the permitted times signposted in accordance with the Protection Act.

For further destinations, you can continue directly from here to Idre, Borlänge or Malung-Sälen.

To the higher-level travel overview: Dalarna County.