Värmland
Why Värmland? That might be a question one asks, but Värmland has something special—packed into a relatively small area.
To the south, Vänern, Sweden’s largest lake, stretches out. To the east, the iron-rich lands tell the story of a long industrial history. To the west, the borderland between Sweden and Norway, known as Finnskogen, was once home to Finnish settlers. In the north, the highest mountains offer breathtaking, far-reaching views. A fascinating valley runs through the entire region, split by the unique Klarälven River.
Facts and History
Värmland likely got its name from Lake Värmeln and the Värmla River (now called Borgviksälven), which flows into Lake Vänern near Grums. Water is abundant in Värmland, with over 10,000 lakes and numerous rivers, covering nearly 20% of the region’s surface.
Värmland is perhaps best known for its stunning natural landscapes, but it has also been home to world-renowned authors, inventors, musicians, and artists, both past and present.
The region has a population of just under 300,000 people, with an average population density of fewer than 18 inhabitants per square kilometer (compared to 520 per km² in the Netherlands). However, the population is unevenly distributed. Karlstad municipality accounts for about a third of the inhabitants, while the northern municipalities, such as Torsby and Hagfors, have seen a steady decline over the years. This depopulation was one of the reasons Vildmark i Värmland was founded in 1980—to attract more people to the area through nature tourism and wilderness experiences. (See the history of Vildmark i Värmland).
A historically significant group in Värmland was the Forest Finns. In the late 1500s and early 1600s, many Finns, particularly from Savolax, migrated westward. A large number settled in northwestern Värmland, where their cultural heritage remains visible today. This can be seen in Finnish place and family names, as well as in traditional Finnish architecture and farm environments.
Tradition and Culture
In Värmland, tradition has always played an important role. This is evident in the many local heritage sites/homestead museums (hembygdsgårdar) that serve as a bridge between the past and the present. These sites help preserve and pass on the region’s cultural heritage and history through various activities. In the summer, some of these heritage sites also offer a taste of Värmland’s traditional dish, nävgröt—a porridge made from roasted and ground oats. This dish was introduced by the Forest Finns, and the oat flour (skrädmjöl) used in it remains a key ingredient in many Värmland recipes today.
Culture has also been a fundamental part of life in Värmland. Alongside numerous galleries, museums, theaters, and studios, several well-known figures have connections to the region. Selma Lagerlöf, from Mårbacka near Sunne, was the first woman and the first Swede to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909. The poet and writer Gustaf Fröding, whose many poems have been set to music, is another beloved literary figure. In the same field, Värmland has also been home to poet Nils Ferlin and writer, poet, and composer Erik Gustaf Geijer.
The region has also produced famous artists in other fields. Singer Monica Zetterlund, writer Göran Tunström, singer and actress Zarah Leander, and artist and author Lars Lerin all have roots in Värmland—just a few examples of the rich cultural legacy that continues to thrive here.
Building, Living, and Thriving in Värmland
To build and live in a place, we must also be able to make a living. Tourism, a relatively new industry in Värmland, has grown significantly from the late 20th century to today. Both winter and summer tourism are well established here, and the number of registered overnight stays per resident has consistently been above the national average for many years. Värmland attracts visitors from all over Sweden as well as from other countries.
However, most jobs in Värmland are still found in industries such as manufacturing, trade, construction, education, healthcare, and social services. Several major industrial companies operate here, including:
- Uddeholm in Hagfors, which produces tool steel for industrial use
- Valmet in Karlstad, specializing in equipment for pulp production
- Outokumpu in Degerfors, a stainless steel manufacturer
- Wasa Knäckebröd in Filipstad, home to the company’s largest production facility
- Billerud in Grums, a leading producer of packaging materials
- Löfbergs in Karlstad, a well-known coffee producer
- Stora Enso, which manufactures wood-based products such as paper and cardboard on Hammarö
- Tetra Pak in Sunne, which produces food packaging
When Tetra Pak’s management was considering where to establish their operations, they toured Värmland. The Vice President is said to have remarked, “Look out over Lake Fryken, and you’ll understand why Sunne is the perfect place for us.”
Nature is one of Värmland’s greatest assets—across all industries. Let’s take care of it so that future generations can also enjoy its vackerheta (a local word for “beautifulness”).
Värmland, as always, has a unique charm that few can resist!
Explore Värmland
The flower “Skogsstjärna”, Chickweed Wintergreen (Trientalis europaea) is Värmland’s official flower, and no plant could be more fitting given its name. An impressive 83% of Värmland’s land area is covered by forests (compared to 68% for Sweden as a whole).
The region is also home to 238 nature reserves, each offering unique and diverse nature experiences.
A vast network of countless kilometers of cycling trails, hiking paths, and ski tracks stretches across the entire region. In winter, you can hit the slopes at Branäsberget and Hovfjället, while those eager to ski in the middle of summer can visit the ski tunnel in Torsby. From Granberget, Värmland’s highest peak (700.5 meters above sea level), you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views over the landscape.
One rapid remains in the Klarälven River—Strängsforsen—though no organized activities take place there anymore. In addition to traditional camping sites and outdoor experiences, Värmland offers hidden gems like Vildmarksbyn Eden, Naturbyn, or the unforgettable experience of rafting down Klarälven on a timber raft.
Information sourced from: Länsstyrelsen Värmland, Region Värmland, Statistics Sweden (SCB), Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR), Tidsresan Karlstad, and Wikipedia.