Schisshyttan Hiking Trail

The scientist Sven Rinman lived in Schisshyttan and established one of Bergslagen’s leading scientific centers here. At that time, Schisshyttan’s iron production was also among the very best in the entire country.
 

As early as the 16th century, there was a blast furnace in Schisshyttan owned by Gustav Vasa and his sons. Over the years, both iron and silver smelters have operated here.
Blast furnaces have been built, used, and demolished in cycles as technology and time progressed.
 

The 18th century brought new ideas and new times. The decade became an era of inventions. Since the administrative center was located in nearby Väster Silfberg, many inventors and technicians worked in Bergslagen, developing new innovations in the mining industry. It was also in Bergslagen that the most iron was produced. In fact, all of Sweden had a great need for Bergslagen.
 

In the mid-18th century, iron production became an established industry in Schisshyttan. Sweden’s first appointed Chief Master of the Blast Furnaces, Sven Rinman, together with his assistant Bengt Andersson Qvist, Chief Master of the Blast Furnaces in Nora and Linde Bergslag, and mineralogist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt, founded the society *Confraternitas Schisshyttiana*. The society dedicated all its spare time to scientific research, experiments, and discussions on metallurgy.
Sven Rinman, known as “the father of Swedish metallurgy,” established a laboratory and a test blast furnace where he conducted research and developed metallurgy and iron production techniques.
Rinman, who was also a well-established mechanic, had as his main task to improve the quality of iron/steel from Västerbergslagen, which at the time did not meet the required standards. After a series of experiments, Rinman succeeded in his mission, and thanks to him, Schisshyttan became one of Sweden’s most renowned ironworks, producing some of the best-quality iron in the country.
 

Steel production in Schisshyttan continued until 1874, and the last blast furnace was shut down in 1922. Today, only ruins remain from this early industrial era. However, there are still fascinating and interesting remnants of forges, small steelworks, worker housing, dams, and blast furnaces.
 

By Lake Schissen lies Schisshyttan Manor, a well-preserved mansion dating back to the 18th century. Beneath its white-plastered facades are walls made of slag stone. Today, the manor is owned by a company and is used for representation and conferences.
 

The Schisshyttan hiking trail, which is four kilometers long, showcases remnants of iron production dating back to the 17th century. The trail also passes by the manor and a modern mine.
 

Facts
Near Schisshyttan, there is a 4 km hiking trail through the forest, following the course of the Schisshyttebäcken stream and showcasing remnants of iron production from the mid-1600s, when the first blast furnace was built, up until 1922, when the last smelter was closed.
The hike also includes a visit to a modern mine, Lustigkulla, which has a preserved steel-frame headframe. The mine is spectacularly located, offering a beautiful view from the headframe’s landing platform.
Self-guided visit. Feel free to bring the hiking brochure, available at the link below.
 

Smedjebacken Municipality 0240 – 66 00 00