The Fors Trail: Beautiful countryside and historical villages

Biking in beautiful country on tarmac cycle tracks and gravel roads. The ride totals 29 km, starting and ending at Avesta Library. It leads eastwards on gravel country roads, passing small farms and villages such as the church hamlet of Grytnäs on the way to Fors and Åsgarn. The trail then turns back towards central Avesta along a quiet tarmac road in lovely forested surroundings. Along the trail there is a general store in Fors as well as a café and homely restaurant by Kolarbo Farm at Muddus Hjortron. Accommodation is available there and at Dalagård. At the start and goal in central Avesta there are more restaurants, cafés, shops and accommodation.

The trail: The Fors Trail Length: 29 km Difficulty: Easy biking on good gravel and tarmac roads through villages and pleasant forests. There is an ascent on the stretch from Liljansberg to Västanberg. Time: 2-4 hours Starting point: Avesta Library Finishing point: Avesta Library Parking: Large parking area at the adjacent shopping centre (Avesta Galleria). Worth a break: Avesta Library central Avesta Starting point in central Avesta. Here you can find bus connections. Accommodation: Hotel and youth hostel. Food: Cafés, restaurants and food shops alore in central Avesta. Avesta Galleria shopping centre offers a range of other shops. Gamla Byn (the Old Village) Visit: The oldest part of Avesta, Gamla Byn, is a vibrant, well-preserved factory environment by Dalälven river, with buildings dating from the 1630s onwards when the copper mill (Avesta Kopparbruk) was established here. Avesta Coin Museum exhibits the numismatic history of Sweden from Viking times until the present day. It also houses the world’s largest coin, the 10 daler piece. Food: Café at the old mill (Verket) and restaurant Koppardalen at Verket. Additional: Swimming in Gamla Byn at the river. Grytnäs church hamlet with open air museum and church Visit: Grytnäs open air museum is also called Målare farm after its first owner, Anders Erson Målare, born on the farm in 1657. Målare farm and storehouse were built here in the 17th century, and various buildings have been moved here from other parts of the parish. The establishment comprises a cottage and other log buildings, all in their original positions, a loft storehouse moved from Skräddarbo, a converted grain store from Kyrkbyn and an early fire station from Stusshyttan. Grytnäs church is one of the finest medieval churches in Dalarna with incredibly beautiful mural painting, whitewashed in in the 18th century but restored in 1938 and 1960. Grytnäs parish is the site of early settlements. Archeologists have discovered indications of their existence in Vanan, Österbyn, Ingvallsbo, Hyttan, Norr Nävde etc. There is scientific basis for a claim that there was civilisation here at least 5-10000 years ago. From this perspective it is evident that there was a sacrificial site here long before Christianity arrived. Östanbyn Visit: The famous accordionist Carl Jularbo grew up with his parents and nine siblings in a croft in Östanbyn. Hyttbäcken Anna Jansdotter, mother of Nobel laureate, bard and poet Erik Axel Karlfeldt came from Träslottet, the exquisite old mine owner’s mansion in Hyttbäcken. Book in advance to visit this beautifully preserved home. Muddus, Kolarbo Gård Muddus Hjortron is a business producing jams, marmalade, mulled wine and chocolates at a lovely farm in Kolarbo, between Fors and Åsgarn. The site offers Bed & Breakfast, a farm shop, café and restaurant. Food and accommodation: Kolarbo gård. Dalagård Accommodation: Dalagård is a newly but traditionally built facility with a sauna, swimming place, boat and jetty. Available for a family or conference group with catering or self-catering.