Artikeln nedan är skriven på engelska, men berättelsen om vårt landskap är universell. Visste du att Näsets Marcusgård ligger mitt i en av världens mest spännande geologiska platser? För 380 miljoner år sedan slog en enorm meteorit ner här och skapade det vi idag kallar Siljansringen. I denna guide tar vi dig med på en resa i meteoritends spår – från det dramatiska vattenfallet i Styggforsen till vikingatidens Sollerön och Anders Zorns Mora. Siljan Geopark är en plats där naturkraft möter kulturhistoria, och allt börjar precis utanför din dörr hos oss. Boka din vistelse i hjärtat av Geoparken →
Whether you are staying with us at the Supermåne, the Oddis Öga, the Fähus or the Hölada, and your overnight stay is not just an overnight stay but an overnight experience! Or perhaps you have found a fantastic host somewhere else in Furudal or Rättvik, it doesn’t matter. You are staying in a unique environment created 380 million years ago after a 4-kilometre meteorite crashed into Earth in what is now known as Siljan Ring. Special enough to be declared a Siljan Geopark in 2019.
In the Siljan Geopark, there is a unique force that lives on through us. The geopark includes unique geological phenomena and natural values at several locations in the area. A large-scale landscape was created by a meteorite impact, shaped by nature and developed by humans. The geopark’s cultural and natural environments have a rich industrial and cultural history and a wide range of outdoor activities to enjoy it. Places and experiences in the meteorite’s trail, life stories, 380 million years of history.
On the trail of the meteorite, we give you some tips with activities and sights that can fill a day, a few days or even a week.
Styggforsen (Boda Kyrkby)
Sculpted by the power of water – Styggforsen is a strange and mythical place where the Enån river plunges through a dramatic canyon. A 36-metre drop through millions of years of geological history! On one side, the granites of the primaeval rock are exposed. On the other side, younger layered rocks formed at the bottom of a tropical sea can be seen.
The layered rocks were overturned when the large meteorite crashed into the Earth’s surface in what is now Dalarna 380 million years ago. The other side of the stream consists of bedrock granite between 1 600 and 1 900 million years old. The bedrock was pushed up like a dome in the crater’s centre.
The hiker on constructed paths and stairs encounter a damp old forest with rare mosses, lichens and orchids like purple knotweed and spider flowers.
You can visit Styggforsen on your own; the marked route is about a kilometre. The marking starts at the car park. Or you can be guided by Lotta from Green Owl Travel: during the summer, there are guided waffle hikes at Styggforsen on Tuesdays and Sundays. (booking required).
Långbryggan (the long pier) in Rättvik
Walk 628 metres straight out into the lake! – långgeop in Rättvik was built in 1895 as a tourist attraction and a steamboat pier. It is so long because of the meteorite! And the ice age! Easy to do on your own (excellent eaterie nearby: Siljans konditori
Tällberg
Tällberg is a little village between Leksand and Rättvik with a spectacular view overlooking Lake Siljan. The unique characteristic of the village is that all houses and buildings are made of wood, such as timber or logs. The village has about 200 permanent residents, and 400 people have summer houses or cottages here. There are eight hotels in the village, and it has developed from a farmer´s village at the beginning of the 1900s to one of the most well-known and visited tourist areas in Sweden, with a stunning view of Lake Siljan, which would not be there without the meteorite.
Naturum Dalarna (Siljansnäs)
Discover the wonders of Siljansnäs, naturum Dalarna and explore the stunning natural beauty of Dalarna. Marvel at the new spectacular lookout tower – built in modern wooden construction – for a breathtaking view of the area. Visitors can participate in exhibitions on various topics, such as the local forest, predators, geology, etc. Plus, learn about the meteorite impact that created Siljan and check out the rocks unique to the region. Listen to the predators and read about the summer pasture life that makes this Swedish wilderness unique. Protecting the natural environment is essential, so come to Naturum Dalarna to discover why.
Siljansnäs hotel
End your day trip in style with a visit to Siljansnäs Hotel’s restaurant, where you can dine with a stunning view of Lake Siljan. The menu features a unique combination of Northern Swedish and Asian cuisine, and you can order dishes to share for a truly unique flavour experience. After dinner, why not stay the night and enjoy an unforgettable stay in the heart of the Geopark?
Sollerön
Experience the archaeological wonders of Sollerön as you take the 3.2 km cultural trail. Handicapped accessible for 2.5 km, each of its 15 stops features a sign detailing its historical background. Strategically located on the northeastern part of Lake Siljan, Sollerön has long attracted travellers due to its favourable climate and calcareous soil. The various Iron Age graves, cairns, stone walls, and small fields on terraces evidence this. The large grave fields, the most prominent of these discoveries, are the best preserved in Dalarna and offer breathtaking views. The Viking Age artefacts demonstrate that Sollerön was a prosperous destination during this period. Kulturstigen Sollerön
Zorn Museum and Zorn House, Mora
For travellers looking to experience Swedish culture, the Zorn Museum and Zorn House in Mora – the famed hometown of the artist Anders Zorn – has something special to offer. The museum displays the world’s largest collection of Zorn’s works, from watercolours, oil paintings, sculptures, drawings and etchings, and parts of his vast art collections. With the museum regularly producing temporary exhibitions and the adjacent Zorn House, designed and furnished by the artist himself with items from both his native and abroad, the experience offers something genuinely unique.
Zorn devoted himself increasingly to a third subject area, the depiction of folk life in Dalarna, and his representations of everyday people from the region remain today. With a tranquil, gentle approach to his work, Zorn’s home is a rustic yet refined union of English and Viking-era architecture, with luxury features such as refrigeration, central heating, and even a vacuum cleaner. You can explore the property via guided tours, making it a must-visit for travellers.
Orsa
Discover the natural beauty of Fryksås, from the mountainous forests and stunning Lake Orsa to nature reserves and tranquil forest landscapes. Get the whole experience with a guided tour on foot or bike offered by Njutiorsanaturen.
Orsa is renowned for its sandstone, which has been used for grinding from as far back as Viking times. Visit the Orsa Slipsten Museum and uncover the magical mining area with 30 mines/open pits.
Positioned on the slopes of the Siljan Ring, Skattungbyn offers stunning views of the vast forests, Lake Skattungen, and the river Oreälven.
The village is part of the rich cultural and natural heritage of the Siljanbygden region, where geology and history intersect. Here you will find a small cafe with a stunning view. We are sure you will appreciate these views even more after this tour.
Enjoy your adventure! We recommend staying more than one night. And if it is very hot, don’t forget to take an occasional dip at one of the many beaches in the area. We have described the most beautiful bathing beaches near us in a little blog