A healing spring with a history dating back to 1948, a local history museum in a former spa restaurant, and several named hiking trails give Dals Rostock two distinct perspectives: local history and landscape. At the museum, exhibits cover topics ranging from the spring and slate quarrying to the cultivation of medicinal plants; outdoors, options range from a 2.7-kilometre loop to longer routes. You can therefore plan your stay around whether you prefer to focus more on historic sites or hiking.

Cultural history at specific sites

Next to Örtagården is a geological section featuring minerals and rocks from Dalsland. The station house in Dals Rostock is a reconstruction of the former railway station at a scale of 1:2. It includes a waiting room, an office and the stationmaster’s residence. These two different sites showcase the region’s geological diversity and the layout of a reconstructed railway station.

The local history museum in Brunnsparken is housed in the former spa restaurant, which dates back to the 18th century. Its local collections and exhibitions cover the healing spring, slate quarrying and the cultivation of medicinal plants. Upstairs is a pharmacy dispensary, furnished in the style of pharmacies from the early 20th century. The collection topics and historic furnishings offer visitors different ways to explore local history.

The healing spring was in operation for about 200 years, from the mid-18th century until 1948. Kroppefjäll Sanatorium was built as a hospital for people with pulmonary tuberculosis and operated from 1911 to 1960. These represent two distinct chapters in the area’s history: the long period of the healing spring and the history of the sanatorium. On the eve of Midsummer, dancing and celebrations around the Midsummer pole are usually held in Brunnsparken. If you would like to include this seasonal event in your travel plans, check the specific dates.

Hiking and scenery on Kroppefjäll

Nearby Kroppefjäll is a high-altitude wilderness area with varied geology, small lakes and ponds, and diverse plant and animal life. Dr Saedéns runda is a 2.7-kilometre hiking trail on Kroppefjäll. Around twenty monuments, including temples, fire basins and rock inscriptions, give the loop a cultural focus. The route’s scenery also includes distinctive rock formations, ravines and steep slopes.

At 15 kilometres, Karl XII:s väg is a considerably longer route. The hiking trail runs across Kroppefjäll, connecting Dals Rostock in the east with Järbo in the west. The two routes therefore differ both in length and in their described character: one focuses on monuments and striking natural features, while the other connects two places. The route lengths offer an initial guide for your planning. Check the trail conditions on Karl XII:s väg before setting out, as they may change.

Another landscape can be found along the 21-kilometre Källan–Dals Rostock section of Kroppefjällsleden. It passes through lush mixed forest and across bogs, streams and ponds. This section is still being developed, so take its status into account when planning your trip. West of Dals Rostock is also the Kroppefjälls Fiskevårdsområde, with eleven smaller lakes offering varied fishing opportunities.

For an overnight trip, Karoliner-stugan rest cabin at Hästskotjärn offers overnight accommodation. It is about 10 kilometres from the route’s starting point at OK-stugan in Dals Rostock. This gives you a specific reference point when planning an overnight stay on a longer trip. To reach Högfjällskyrkan, drive from Dals Rostock and take the turnoff for Kroppefjäll B&B. You can park at the hotel; from there, it is about a 300-metre walk to the church.

For the general travel overview: Dals Rostock.