The Kolbäck river flows through the heart of the Bergslagen area. Bergslagen is known for its mountains with iron ore and deep forests. The high-valued iron-ore was, for a few hundred years, transported downstream in the Kolbäck River. Today, the fire has died out in the ancient iron works and the blacksmith's hammer is silent. The river flows as it did long before the days of iron producing. Silent, winding and beautiful. But there are interesting historical relics left from the past, including one of Sweden's World Heritage Sites - The Ironwork in Ängelsberg.
110 km long, the Strömsholms Kanal was built at the waterfalls in the 1700s. Altogether, the canal’s stretches are 12 km long and include several lochs. These stretches are named The Strömsholms Kanal. Along the other 98 kilometers, the river follow its original course. Paddling The Strömsholms Kanal along the few hundred year old canal stretches is a thrilling and exciting experience.
From forests and hills in Bergslagen to expansive fields in the valley of Mälaren; throughout history, the canal has been a very important trade route. It was along the canal that iron ore, timber and wood carbon were transported to the ironworks, and it was along the canal that the pig iron was transported further from the ironworks and out into the wider world. A classic watercourse with plenty of history along its way. The highlight is the World Heritage Site – The Ironwork in Ängelsberg. In Ängelsberg, on the small island, Oljeön, is also the world's oldest preserved oil refinery. Crude oil was transported from Pennsylvania in America. The ancient ships came in through Stockholm and the lake Mälaren, and passed through lochs up along the canal.
The train station in Smedjebacken connects directly to Stockholm and Västerås. The port and supermarkets are both within walking distance of the railway station. Train connections: www.resplus.se See time table 55.
