Around Harvikadammen — Österbybruk

A Historic Inspection Path at the Walloon Foundry Dam

Harvikadammen runt is a 6 kilometer long circular trail at Österbybruk in Östhammars municipality. The path was originally used as an inspection path for the dam from the late 1600s, when Österbybruk was one of Sweden's leading walloon foundries for iron production. Today the trail is open to the public and offers a unique combination of industrial history and living nature.

Views and Nature

The trail runs partly along the dam crest, which provides fine views over the dam and the surrounding marshes and lakes. The otters that occasionally inhabit the dam area are a well-known feature — keep an eye out at the still water surfaces. The terrain is mostly easy-going, with the exception of the occasional rocky passages.

Marking and Orientation

The trail is well marked with orange markings on trees and stones along the entire loop. The path is marked in the Naturkartan app (naturkartan.se) under Uppsala county, where you will also find the map and elevation profile.

Getting There

By car: Park at Motorstadion (off road 292), from where a connecting path of 1 km leads to the main loop. By bus: Harviksdammen bus stop (line 290) provides access via a 1.5 km long connecting trail.

The Walloon Foundry Environment at Österbybruk

Österbybruk was founded in 1643 and is one of Sweden's best preserved walloon foundries. The Walloons who came from what is now Belgium and France brought with them the knowledge of forging high-quality iron — a craft that shaped Swedish iron exports during the 1700s. A visit to Harvikadammen can be nicely combined with a walk through the foundry environment.