Day 1: Southern European Impressions with a Värmland Touch in Kristinehamn

Kristinehamn is the archipelago municipality ready to color your visit with a palette that spans the entire scale. The 15-meter high Picasso sculpture – indeed designed by THE Picasso, is as incredible a story as the artwork is beautifully located on a cape next to Lake Vänern. Thanks to the Kristinehamn artist Bengt Olson’s meeting with team Picasso in 1963, the improbable became a reality. Now it stands there at Valösundet, watching with its “eyes” as you walk along the shoreline. But it’s not just a Spanish creator’s work that stands out. In the city center, you can be inspired by the joy of décor at Lev Vackert and exquisitely turned pots and lovely home-baked goods at Krukmakeriet. A taste of Southern Europe also awaits on the lunch plate at the acclaimed Oliveriet – the Italian restaurant that tempts with Sardinian authenticity and pasta dishes of the highest class. The owner Andrea has the motto “I do not eat to live but live to eat” and the food delivers big. Then swap carbohydrates for fun hiking on Järnleden, one of Värmland’s particularly distinguished signature trails. The 30-kilometer trail has its origins in Gustav Vasa’s idea of an established route for the iron through Bergslagen. And you do not need to walk the entire trail. Give it your all on the partial section that starts at the guest harbor or at Niklasdamm for a couple of hours’ tour. With a worked-up appetite, it’s time for the day’s last stop: Ölme Prästgård Gästgiveri, a good ten kilometers west of Kristinehamn. Here, dinner awaits in recognized White Guide class and personally decorated rooms with style. Thank you and goodnight!

Day 2: Playful Explosions in Karlskoga and Fine Dining in Filipstad

With a fully charged car (charging post available) and person (peaceful breakfast), today’s first attraction demands attention. Travel east to Degerfors municipality, which not only boasts a great football team but also spectacular hiking on Jätteberget. Here are caves and passages around 80 meters deep! It’s a hike that appeals to children and undoubtedly the next adventure too. In Karlskoga awaits Bodaborg, a true oasis for competitive instinct and team cooperation. How many challenges can your team handle? While you’re in Karlskoga, you can hardly overlook the city’s perhaps biggest profile. Alfred Nobel lived parts of his life in Karlskoga and at the Nobel Museum located on his manor home Björkborn, you can get a thrilling insight into Nobel’s lab from the time when gunpowder was made. Also, do not miss the science center Clever House where all senses are satisfied. And while we’re on Nobel-related topics: set your sights for lunch at the historic Bofors hotel where linen tablecloths are ready. Why not opt for a slightly more luxurious diplomatic lunch with a main course and dessert? Leave one explosive place for another and head north to Filipstad. Spend an afternoon hiking in the Brattforsheden nature reserve and share a park bench with the Nils Ferlin statue in the center. The gourmet in you will also have reason to smile this day. For Saxå Bruk is nothing less than a buttery sauce for the soul. And no wonder. Behind the restaurant and manor stands the connoisseur Carl Jan Granqvist. Here, culinary craftsmanship is top-notch and the menu is as fresh as the locally sourced ingredients.

Day 3: Top-notch Lunch at Big Hill Lodge and Canal Viewing in Storfors

After a quality meal, it’s time to head towards new goals. With exercise on the agenda. If you are a golfer of the traditional kind, Saxå Golf Club is a treat you should consider. Are you a disc golfer? Well, then the naturally cozy activity center Kalhyttan is your place. Regardless of golf profile, the exercise demands its energy replenishment. Wind your way up the hill at Storhöjden and take action at Big Hill Lodge once at the top. The restaurant’s lunch service, according to its own description, starts from the kingdom of the forest. Here is something for both those who appreciate vegetarian and wild and who value organic. The food at “Höjda” is top-notch. So is the view. Climb to the top of the lookout tower, which at 28 meters offers tremendous views. If the steps up do not exhaust you, it’s a fine Filipstad finale to check out the crispbread museum and shop at Wasa. Since 1931, the large manufacturer has put Filipstad on the map. Browse through history and curiosities and buy some breadstuff. The journey’s hours are now running out. But you have time for one more stop. Traveling south? Make a stop in Storfors! Åsjöhyttan, where iron ore was mined about 350 years ago, is an exciting hiking attraction. For more water-close impressions, it’s lovely to follow the Bergslag Canal – the only Swedish canal that does not lead to a larger body of water. And surely, it is fitting to let a unique canal conclude the journey in Eastern Värmland. For the program offerings around here are truly something special. Whether it’s about Picasso statues or Värmland culinary art.