Siljan between cultural traces and hiking trails

Siljan brings together hiking, water and cultural history: you can follow marked trails, paddle on the Siljanelva and discover traces from different eras. When planning your holiday, it is worth deciding first what you want to focus on. Would you like to spend most of your stay outdoors, or would you also like to include historic sites and events? This question can help you choose a suitable holiday apartment as a base for your trip.

Cultural history in Siljan

Ship drawings dated to the early 13th century can be seen at Siljan Church. Siljuhaugen, a monumental Iron Age burial ground, is also located by the church in Siljan municipality. The Siljuhaugen cultural trail was established in 2015 with new information boards around the medieval church. This provides an opportunity to view church art and an archaeological site in their cultural-historical context.

Børja hillfort is also located in Siljan municipality, on a headland in Lake Gorningen. It dates from around 550 AD. Siljan Historielag offers guided tours of the hillfort; dates depend on local arrangements. At Moholt Ironworks, south of the centre, visitors can see the remains of an old blast furnace. Kullkjelleren is also used in the municipality today for concerts and theatre performances, among other things; the programme may vary. The history of Siljanspelet dates back to 2000.

Hiking: compare distance and difficulty

Siljan has several marked hiking trails that can be used from early spring to late autumn. Two routes show why distance alone is not enough when planning: the easy hike from Brånaskottet to Prestegårdseter is 3.8 kilometres long. The route follows an old thoroughfare through lush forest and varied terrain. The starting point is at a small car park about 1.5 kilometres from the centre of Siljan. As parking conditions can change, it is a good idea to check them before setting off.

Nordkollen is shorter, at 2.1 kilometres, but is rated moderate and has an elevation gain of 320 metres. When choosing routes, therefore, consider distance and difficulty together. Trail conditions vary by season. Another way to combine nature and history is the circular trail at Fiskebekkåsen: it passes through historic terrain with ancient burial mounds and follows a historic bridle path that dates back several centuries.

Water and landscape

The Siljanelva flows through Siljan and is suitable for paddling. The municipality also has more than 80 fishing lakes. This gives the destination a range of options for spending time on and by the water, while still leaving room for hiking and culture. If paddling or fishing is important to you, these activities may influence your choice of holiday apartment; if you prefer to explore on foot, you can make the hiking trails the starting point for planning your holiday.

The wider Siljan destination features landscapes ranging from the valley, where the Siljanelva forms a chain of bodies of water, to wooded hills, farmland and cultural landscapes. In winter, it also has an extensive cross-country ski trail network, including longer tours in the mountains near Viddaseter. The annual 10-topper'n challenge covers 15 peaks, five of which are rated as suitable for children. The number of peaks and their ratings may change between editions.

Choose your holiday base according to your travel plans

When searching for a holiday apartment in Siljan, it helps to weigh up the experiences you want: an easy, longer forest hike, a shorter and more challenging route, cultural history or time on the water. The season also affects what you can focus on, as the hiking trails described are mainly usable from early spring to late autumn, while the ski trail network is part of the winter offering in the wider Siljan destination.

For the overview of the wider destination: Siljan.