Dalarna: copper, painters and Lake Siljan
Sweden in its most traditional dress: a UNESCO copper mine, the homes of Carl Larsson and Anders Zorn, red cottages and the workshops of the Dala horse.
- Distance
- 128 km (79 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 46 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Sweden
- Updated
- July 12, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 128 km (79 mi) with 8 stops, from Falun to Zorngården. About 1 h 46 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Sweden
Route description
Start at Falun, where the copper mine made Sweden a great power in the 17th century; you can look into the Great Pit and go underground on a guided tour. From Falun, it is a short drive to Sundborn and the house of Carl Larsson.
Take route 70 north-west to Lake Siljan. Tällberg is a village of old timber farmhouses on a slope above the water, and Rättvik has a 628 m wooden pier stretching into the lake and a church on a headland.
Continue round the lake to Nusnäs, where the red Dala horses are still carved and painted by hand, and on to Mora, the finish of the Vasaloppet ski race and home of painter Anders Zorn.
Midsummer is the high point of the year around Siljan, with maypoles and folk costumes in every village, so book campsites early. The roads are easy and quiet, and in winter the area becomes a centre for cross-country skiing.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Falun
Sweden - 22 km
Falun Copper Mine
HistoryFalun, SwedenThe Great Pit, a crater left by a thousand years of copper mining, on the UNESCO list. Guided tours go down into the old workings; the red paint of Swedish cottages came from here.
- 314 km
Carl Larsson-gården
HistorySundborn, SwedenThe home of painter Carl Larsson and his wife Karin, whose bright interiors shaped the idea of Swedish design. Visits are by guided tour, so book ahead in summer.
- 458 km
Tällberg
Sweden - 512 km
Rättvik
Sweden - 634 km
Nusnäs
Sweden - 79 km
Mora
Sweden - 80 km
Zorngården
HistoryMora, SwedenThe house of painter Anders Zorn in Mora, kept as he left it, with the Zorn Museum next door showing his work.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Falun → Carl Larsson-gården · 15 km · 0 h 13 minOn the way: Falun Copper Mine.Overnight nearby, for example: First Camp Lugnet Stugby (8 km); First Camp Lugnet Falun (8 km).
- Day 2: Carl Larsson-gården → Rättvik · 69 km · 0 h 57 minOn the way: Tällberg.Overnight nearby, for example: Siljanbadets Camping (< 1 km); Enåbadets Camping (< 1 km).
- Day 3: Rättvik → Zorngården · 43 km · 0 h 36 minOn the way: Nusnäs, Mora.Overnight nearby, for example: First Camp Moraparken (< 1 km); Våmåbadets Camping (13 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in November–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Sweden: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Congestion charges in Stockholm and Gothenburg; Øresund Bridge toll. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Dalarna: copper, painters and Lake Siljan?
3-day road trip of about 128 km (79 mi) with 8 stops, from Falun to Zorngården. About 1 h 46 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Dalarna: copper, painters and Lake Siljan?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 46 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Dalarna: copper, painters and Lake Siljan start and end?
It starts in Falun and ends in Zorngården.
Which countries does Dalarna: copper, painters and Lake Siljan pass through?
Sweden.
Where can you camp along Dalarna: copper, painters and Lake Siljan?
OpenStreetMap lists 34 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: First Camp Lugnet Falun, First Camp Lugnet Stugby and Siljanbadets Camping.
When is the best time for Dalarna: copper, painters and Lake Siljan?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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