Bengtsfors in Dalsland - locks, museums and canal boats

Bengtsfors is located along the Dalsland Canal, and we came here by motorhome after our visits to the aqueduct in Håverud and Dals Långed. Here we experienced charming locks, fantastic nature and a nice open-air museum.

Bengtsfors in Dalsland

A charming way to get to Bengtsfors is to take a canal boat from Håverud, and then perhaps return by rail bus. Or you can do as we did, and come here by motorhome.

Bengsfors is located on Lake Lelång in Dalsland, about 35 kilometres southwest of Åmål.

Billingsfors lock station

On the way to Bengtsfors we first stopped at Billingsfors lock station. This station consists of two single locks (number 16 and 17 in the Dalsland canal) and leads from the lake Laxsjön to Bengtsbrohöljen. The station is located next to a paper mill, but right by the locks it's still really cosy.

Höljerudsforsarna

We wondered if we should drive straight towards Bengtsfors or if we should make a small detour past the locks that have numbers 18-20. We decided to take the small detour, and we didn't regret it. We stopped the motorhome in a car park at the Höljerudsforsarna nature reserve and walked towards the first lock. Wow, it's so beautiful!

We passed over Höljerudsforsarna, and here we hung out for a while. The water roared around us and we saw lots of fish swimming just below the surface.

18th lock

After the visit to Höljerudsforsarna, we soon came to the 18th lock, which is located just north of Billingsfors. The place is apparently one of the most photographed lock stations along the road and it is no wonder. Here it is really fantastic idyllic!

19th and 20th locks

From the 18th lock you can walk to the 19th and 20th and then make a round trip to get back to the starting point, i.e. where we parked the motorhome. It was muddy in some places, but otherwise it was a nice walk along both quiet canal and roaring rapids.

Bengtsfors

We then got into the motorhome and drove on to Bengtsfors. We put the camper on a parking space in the centre and explored the town with the electric bikes. Among other things, we checked out the Bengtsfors lock station, which was really charming. The centre of Bengtsfors was perhaps not so exciting, but it is nice by the water.

Gammelgårdens open-air museum

We then cycled to Gammelgården's open-air museum, which is located on Majberget in Bengtsfors. We were glad we had electric bikes, because oh what a steep uphill! Once you get up, you are rewarded with a fantastic view of the whole city.

Gammelgården is western Sweden's largest open-air museum, with a large number of cottages moved here from different parts of Dalsland. Here you can see how people in Dalsland lived and worked in the past. Really nice to walk around here and look at the cute little cottages with grass roofs!

The House of Straw

Also at Gammelgården on Majberget is Halmens hus, the only straw museum in the Nordic countries. The museum was surprisingly nice and here you can learn both about how straw has been used in history and look at fascinating crafts made from straw. However, the current exhibition is being replaced by a brand new one, so you might see something newer and even more interesting if you come here.

Motorhome parks in Bengtsfors

There are (as far as we know) two caravan sites in Bengtsfors. One parking space is at Gammelgården. All places were free when we cycled past.

The second site is down by the water. It's a good spot, although not particularly charming. There is electricity and toilets and showers. We must say that we were quite surprised by the messy entrance to the toilets, but it worked. The location is excellent and the price is 15o SEK/day.

More to do in Bengtsfors

In addition to what we managed to do, there is of course more to experience and do in Bengtsfors. Above all, there is the possibility of many fine nature experiences and there are several nature reserves such as Höljerudsforsarna nature reserve, Kölviken nature reserve, Steneby nature reserve and Ösan nature reserve. You can, for example:

• Hiking - There are many different hiking trails in the area. Here you will find for example Torrskogsleden and Pilgrimsleden Dalsland.
• Cycling - There are plenty of nature trails and you can also try your hand at cycling dressage.
• Paddling: Paddling in the mirror-like lakes is popular. There are plenty of campsites where you can stay.
• Fishing: There are plenty of trout and other fish in the waters, for example at Höljerudsforsarna.
• Travelling by canal boat: The canal boat trips with M/S Dalslandia run between Bengtsfors - Långbron - Håverud or vice versa. The return journey is by DVVJ railbus. The journey takes 3-5 hours depending on which tour you choose.
• Adventurous activities: Dalslands Aktiviteter at Steneby farm outside Dals Långed is an experience centre with activities such as a high-altitude course, zipline and horseback riding.

See more in the neighbourhood

Near Bengtsfors you can visit cosy Dals Långed. It is also not too far to the the very interesting aqueduct in Håverud.. You can of course also continue along the Dalsland canal to Lennartsfors and Töcksfors but we chose, partly because the holiday was coming to an end, to return home to Stockholm after the visit to Bengtsfors.

Have you been to Bengtsfors?

Do you have any other tips for things to see and do in the area?

Facts about Bengtsfors

• Municipality: Bengtsfors municipality
• County: Västra Götaland County
• Landscape: Dalsland
• Population: About 9750 (2019)
• Localities in the municipality: Bengtsfors agglomeration, Bäckefors, Billingsfors, Dals Långed, Gustavsfors, Skåpafors
• Read more: You can find more information at Western Sweden

Facts about Billingsfors lock station

• Location: From Lake Laxsjön to Bengtsbrohöljen. 
• Number of lock chambers: 2
• Level difference: 6,1 m
• Time consumption: 30 min

Facts about the 18th lock

• Location: From Kvarnhöljen to Bengtsbrohöljen.
• Number of lock chambers: 1
• Level difference: 2,4 m
• Time taken without waiting time: 10 min

Facts about the 19th and 20th locks

• Location: From the lake Nedre Höljen to Bengtsbrohöljen. 
• Number of lock chambers: 2
• Level difference: 6,1 m
• Time taken without waiting time: 30 min

Facts about Bengtsfors lock station

• Location: Double lock leading from Lake Bengtsbrohöljen into Lake Lelången.
• Number of lock chambers: 2
• Level difference: 3,5 m
• Time consumption: 25 min

travel to Bengtsfors

• Car: Take road 172 from the north or south. If you are coming from the east, you can take road 164.
• Bus: Bus tickets can be purchased via Västtrafik. For longer journeys, Flixbuss is an option.
• Trains: The nearest railway stations are in Åmål and Dals Ed. In summer there is also a rail bus between Bengtsfors and Mellerud.
• Flight: Airports (domestic) are located in Karlstad and Trollhättan. For international flights, the closest are Gardemoen in Oslo and Landvetter in Gothenburg.

History of Bengtsfors

• 1895: Elektrokemiska aktiebolaget (EKA) was founded by Rudolf Lilljeqvist with the help of various financiers, including Alfred Nobel. The company became an important industry in the area.
• 1901-1964: The sulphate factory was an important industry during this period.
• 1924: EKA moved to Bohus.
• 1926: Bengtsfors köping was formed as a spin-off from Ärtemark's rural municipality.
• 1965: Finance Minister Gunnar Sträng had Volvo's seat production moved to Bengtsfors,
• 1999: The Volvo factory in Bengtsfors was closed and moved closer to the production of passenger cars in Gothenburg. As the factory, with its 800 employees, was the largest employer in the area, the town was hit hard.