Bengtsfors
Bengtsfors community is characterized by streaming water and longstretched, clear lakes. The fact is, that Bengtsfors is the very heart of the wonderful, scenic province called Dalsland. Here You will also find thick forests, mountains and a great variety of flora and fauna.
Furthermore, the community is criss-crossed by parts of Dalsland’s Canal, which consists of 250 kilometers of locks, lakes and manmade canals.
Water is not the only thing that streams constantly in the community of Bengtsfors. A swift flow of ideas, initiatives and activities provide the community with the essential forces needed to thrive. The community of Bengtsfors is industrially based and the wheels are rolling.
Culture, arts and crafts are equally rich and varied as the Dalsland nature itself. The old manufacturing processes still exist.
Exhibitions, cultural events and other arrangements succeed each other. Stenebyskolan, a nationwide unique vocational school for arts and crafts also strongly contributes to the vast variety of craftsmen who live and find an outcome in the community.
Find Your Way!
Canoeing is one of the great experiences in Dalsland. There are several canoe rental businesses. All of them arrange combination packages and camp schools.
Photo: Inge Rylander
Fishing
In the community of Bengtsfors there are 399 lakes that are larger than 2,5 acres, in total 30.000 acres of water. About 25.000 acres can be used by fishermen through the purchase of fishing cards. A community fishing card which covers most of the lakes is available.
Try Your luck!
For more information – Read through the "fishing guide". You will find the booklet at the tourist information center.
Guest Harbours
The Dalsland Canal lake system is 250 kilometers long and is suitable for any kind of boating tourism. The guest harbours are situated evenly throughout the area and generally provide high standard service within walking distance.
Bathing Places
During hot summer days it really feels good to cool down in a lake. There are many fine places to choose between.
Passenger Boats
A large part of Dalsland´s Canal runs through Bengtsfors Community. One way to enjoy the spectacular scenery with locks, lakes and short stretches of manmade canal - is to go by passenger boat.
Photo: Inge Rylander
There is a rich tradition of handicraft manufacturing in the surroundings, and there are also numerous places where you can see and buy samples of arts and crafts.
Sights
Högsbyns rock-carvings - Nature reserve. Situated about 6 km south east of Dals Långed towards Tisselskog. The rock-carvings in Högsbyn, Tisselskog, are among the greatest and most remarkable ancient finds in Dalsland. In the immediate surroundings there is a café, beautifully situated on the shore of lake Råvarpen. Guided tours.
Skarsdalen - Nature reserve. Steep and deep ravine with untouched forest scenery in the slope leading down towards lake Lelång (110 acres). About 6 km north of Bengtsfors, along road 172.
Steneby - Nature reserve. The giant´s kettles in the canyon formed by the Steneby Stream during the glacial period.
Egersknatten - A point from which there is a view of lake Lelång. You walk througt the forest, past small forest lakes, upwards, about 2,5 km. On the top you will have a magnificent view. About 6 km north of Bengtsfors, along road 172.
Ekebolsgrottan - Situated 3 km north of Dals Långed in the northern stretch of "Tomteboberget". This manmade cave was formed in the 1830´s, when Anders Kallin built the bridge in Långbron, at the southern end of Lake Laxsjön.
Baldersnäs, Photo: Inge Rylander
Baldersnäs Herrgård - Situated about 3 km north of Dals Långed. "Friendly guest, this peninsula smiling nicely towards you, bids your sorrows farewell". These words greet you when arriving at Baldersnäs. There you will find a large, English influenced, romantic park with a mansion. The entire establishment is situated on a peninsula in lake Laxsjön. The area is a Nature reserve. At the tip of the peninsula is "the end of the world", with a campsite. Guided tours.
Billingsfors open air theatre - About 7 km south of Bengtsfors, along road 172. Situated at lake Laxsjön, in the small town of Billingsfors. The beautifully placed theatre, which was built in 1792, offers a varied programme during the summer period.
Museums - Churches
Gammelgården - Open air museum. Central location in Bengtsfors. The greatest outdoor museum in West Sweden, with a magnificent view. Here you will find about 20 buildings. Guided tours are arranged daily during June - Aug. For other times prebooking is requested.
Halmens Hus - The only museum in Sweden which specializes in straw. It is situated at Gammelgården in the town of Bengtsfors. The permanent exhibition shows the historical and financial importance of the straw industry. Craftsmen at work. Courses. Temporary exhibits. Handicraft sales
Bäckefors gamla Bruk - Has a cultural and historical interest. The site which most effectively preserves the remembrance of the old ironworks in Dalsland is Bäckefors bruk (mill). Along the Mill Street you will also find the old factory office and the previous old store. Along the stream the ruins of the forges can be found, as well as the mill, the saw and the coal house. The Bäckefors old homestead museum is fitted into the old school building dating from 1829. The collections mainly consist of peasants´ goods, carpenters´ tools etc. On the second floor there is a school hall decorated with things from the 1800´s, the history of the mill and a flat.
The churches in Bengtsfors Community are beautiful examples of the craftsmanship of our skilled ancestors. The oldest churches date as far back as the 13th century. As an example it can be worthwhile mentioning, that Ödskölt has the oldest still working church bell in Sweden. Many of the churches are unusually beautifully situated, such as Ärtemark's church at lake Ärtingen, Torrskog's church at lake Lelång and Vårvik's church at lake Västra Silen.
For more information please use the local tourist information centre.
Photo: Inge Rylander
Nature is our greatest asset and we wish to share it with You. Nature is also extremely vulnerable, why the utmost consideration is demanded by anyone wanting to enjoy the outdoor life. In order to make things easier for canoeists as well as landowners, a number of campsites hav been prepared. Furthermore, there are superintendants (rangers) whose tasks are to inform and assist anyone enjoying a canoeing vacation. In order to finance this extra service all canoeists must buy a Nature conservation card ("Naturvårdskort"), for SEK 20 per day and person.
The money is mainly used to refund landowners for the use of campsites, as well as for repairs, maintenance, development and supervision. Thank You for assisting us in preserving our nature. Beware of the fire risk!
The card can be bought at: Bengtsfors Tourist information center, canoe rental businesses and from the rangers.
