Wilderness and Outdoor Activities in Kilsbergen

The Kilsbergen mountain range is a ridge approximately 50 kilometers long and 10–15 kilometers wide that stretches from Svartå in the southeast to Nora in the northeast. The area is vast—and perfect for anyone who wants to experience nature in one way or another.  

A place for activities and experiences 

In Kilsbergen (or the Blue Mountains, as the ridge is also known), there are plenty of hiking trails and several mountain bike trails for both long and shorter trips. But that’s not all. Here you can fish, paddle, enjoy a sauna, and go swimming. Explore ancient ruins and take in sweeping views. Have a picnic, grill at one of the many picnic areas, or enjoy a meal at a restaurant. Kilsbergen has it all—and then some. 

In winter, hundreds of kilometers of ski trails await, and, of course, Ånnaboda’s wonderful sledding hill. And don’t be fooled by Örebro’s reputation for having little snow—it snows here much more often.  

A paradise for nature lovers 

Kilsbergen offers breathtaking views and fantastic nature experiences. The area is home to a national park and some fifty nature reserves. You can explore over a hundred lakes and rest your legs at numerous rest areas and shelters. There are also many miles of trails and paths to follow—on foot, by mountain bike, or on skis.  

One of several unique and exciting places in the Kilsbergen mountains is Skärmarbodabergen. Here you’ll find dramatic scenery in hilly terrain and numerous caves. The surrounding forest is truly ancient and home to many rare animals and plants.  

Eating and Drinking in Kilsbergen 

In addition to bringing your own picnic—and perhaps even fish you’ve caught yourself—you can, of course, choose to sit down at a set table. Bistro First Camp in Ånnaboda is a cozy restaurant with a beautiful view of Lake Ånnabosjön and the dense Kilsberg Forest. Here, the fire crackles on cold winter evenings, and in the summer, the outdoor seating area awaits. The menu features homemade food with a bistro vibe. For those who’d rather eat in their cabin or at the campground, it’s perfectly fine to order takeout from the restaurant.   

Accommodations in Kilsbergen 

Would you like to stay in a cabin, relax in a hotel bed, or go camping? Spend the night in a shelter or under the stars? No problem—Kilsbergen offers all these options.  

Hotels, campgrounds, and cabins in Ånnaboda 

First Camp Ånnaboda offers hotel rooms, campsites, and self-catering cabins. If you stay at the hotel, breakfast, a sauna, and fun outdoor activities are included. The cabins feature their own kitchen and bathroom—and nature right on your doorstep. Here, you’re close to all the activities and adventures Ånnaboda has to offer. The campground has sites for trailers, RVs, and tents, and is just a stone’s throw from Lake Södra Ånnabosjön and the popular swimming spot.

Hotels and motels along the E18 

Lanna Lodge Resort is located along the E18 in southern Kilsbergen. It offers hotel rooms, campsites for RVs and trailers, a restaurant, a relaxation area, a gym, and several package deals for active vacationers. 

Lakelodge is a nearby motel, located right off the E18, offering comfortable rooms with quick self-check-in. It also features a seasonal restaurant and beautiful views of Lake Våtsjön. 

Cottages with simple charm 

Throughout the Kilsbergen area, there are small cabins available for rent from the City of Örebro. Here, you can enjoy a simple stay close to nature. With an outhouse, water you bring yourself, and flashlights, a night in the cabin becomes both a cozy and exciting adventure.  

Many windbreaks 

Kilsbergen has a large number of wind shelters where you can take a break or spend the night. They are often located along hiking, biking, or skiing trails and have outdoor toilets, fire pits, and water sources nearby. Be careful when building a fire or using a grill—and remember to take your food scraps and trash home with you.

Things to do in Kilsbergen 

On foot, by canoe, by bike, on horseback, or on a SUP board? There are many ways to explore Kilsbergen. 

Hiking in the Kilsbergen Mountains 

The Bergslagsleden is a 280-kilometer hiking trail that winds its way through the entire Kilsbergen region and beyond—from Kloten in the north to Tiveden in the south. The trail is divided into 17 stages ranging from 7 to 23 kilometers in length. The orange markings guide you through enchanted forests, across marshes, up to ancient hill forts, and around forest lakes. And when your legs need a rest, wind shelters and rest areas await at many spots along the trail. 

Cycling in Kilsbergen 

Ruskiga Rusan, Långis, and Genvägen – the bike trails in Kilsbergen offer beautiful views, refreshing forest lakes, and challenging sections. Most of the trails here are demanding MTB trails with significant elevation gain and loss. But there are easier and more family-friendly trails, especially around Ånnaboda and Pershyttan. Gravel cyclists enjoy tackling the scenic 19-km Grusrally loop, which starts in Ånnaboda. For more tips—and bike rental options—visit Bergslagen Cycling.  

Running in Kilsbergen 

The Bergslagsleden trail is just as suitable for running shoes as it is for hiking boots, and the many trail-friendly paths in the Kilsbergen mountains are popular throughout much of the year. 

Swimming in Kilsbergen 

There are hundreds of lakes scattered throughout the Kilsbergen region. Södra Ånnabosjön is one of them. It features a popular swimming area with a sandy beach, docks, restrooms, and a large grassy area. And if you feel like taking a dip even in the middle of the coldest winter, there’s usually an ice hole open at the swimming area. Södra Ånnabosjön also has a dog swimming area a few hundred meters from the main swimming area (read more about dog-friendly spots in Örebro). You’ll find more swimming areas at Ramshyttan, Falkasjön, Gårdsjötorp, Möckeln, Sixtorp, and Stenbäcken.

Paddling in Kilsbergen 

The Svartån canoe route begins at one of the forest lakes in Kilsbergen and passes several lakes on its way south. The river then flows along the edge of Kilsbergen before turning east toward the flat Närke plain. The Svartån is easy to paddle and ideal for beginners. 

Stand-up paddleboarding is another wonderful way to explore Kilsbergen. Whether standing or sitting on the board, you can glide across the water in complete silence and tranquility. Would you like to rent a SUP—and perhaps book a guided tour? Basecamp Kilsbergen would be happy to help.  

Horseback riding in Kilsbergen 

Exploring Kilsbergen on horseback is definitely an extraordinary experience. If you don’t have your own horse, you can (provided you’re a group of at least four people) book a guided ride on Friesian horses at Ramshyttan Horse Farm. 

Basta in Kilsbergen 

On a headland in Södra Ånnabosjön, there is a wood-fired sauna available for rent. There is also a barbecue area, a dock, and an outhouse. You can book a sauna session through the City of Örebro, conveniently pick up the key from a locker, and light the wood-fired sauna yourself.

Tiveden – a magnificent national park south of Kilsbergen 

Tiveden is located south of Kilsbergen and just under an hour’s drive from Örebro. Here, you’ll find yourself not only in a national park with enchanting forests and majestic cliffs, but also in the vast natural area known as Sweden’s southernmost wilderness. Several trails connect Kilsbergen and Tiveden, making it easy to move between the different nature areas.  

Cultural History in Kilsbergen 

Several hundred years ago, Kilsbergen was equally divided between mining districts and farming communities. Here, fertile farmland met vast forests and hydropower, creating the ideal conditions for harnessing nature’s resources. The area known as Bergslagen since the early 1500s eventually became the world’s largest producer of iron ore. Traces of the past are evident in these parts. There are black remnants of charcoal kilns, old mine shafts, and a number of place names ending in -hyttan.  

A well-preserved example from the heyday of iron ore mining is the mining village of Gamla Pershyttan, just outside Nora. Here, ore mining and iron production have been an integral part of life for hundreds of years. Today, the village is a cultural heritage site that is open year-round. The smelter, mine, waterwheel, conveyor belt, and coal shed are all well preserved.  

Take a stroll and enjoy the beautiful historic setting. And be sure to get an extra dose of history on a guided tour. You can join a walking tour of the mining village or head 40 meters down into the Lockgruvan mine.  

Important information about the shooting range in Kilsbergen 

A large area in Kilsbergen, near Karlskoga, consists of firing ranges used by the defense industry and the Swedish Armed Forces. It is important to pay attention to barriers, signs, and warning notices in this area.  

The Saab Bofors Test Center and the P4 Skaraborg Regiment provide information on the affected area and any cancellations at the Bofors and Villingsberg firing ranges.  

Directions to Kilsbergen 

The entrances to the area are located in Ånnaboda, Pershyttan, and Lekhyttan, all about a 30-minute drive from downtown Örebro.

• The easiest way to get to Ånnaboda is by car via Route T 733 or the E18. If you choose to take the bus, Länstrafiken Örebro’s Regional Bus 590 goes to Ånnaboda. 
• You can reach Lekhyttan by car via the E18. By bus, take Länstrafiken Örebro’s Express Bus 500 from Örebro Resecentrum toward Karlskoga.
• If you’d like to use the entrance at Pershyttan, you can choose to drive via Route 50 or take the Länstrafiken Örebro bus from Örebro Resecentrum via Nora and then Gyttorp.