Falun

Falun is the administrative center of the Dalarna province in Sweden. It's the most populous town in the area with over 55,000 inhabitants, slightly more than its close neighbor Borlänge.

Falun is located in the Bergslagen district, and the mining area of the Great Copper Mountain in Falun has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stora Kopparberg (Great Copper Mountain), which also was the name of the mining company of Falun, is today a part of Stora Enso.

The main activity today in the mining area is tourism. Actually it has been an internationally wellknown tourist attraction for more than 300 years. It is possible to reach 600 m below ground. Tourists cannot go that far down but are taken on long walks through the moist and cool tunnels. There are also buildings and various remnants above ground.

The Lugnet sports area in the north-eastern part of town offers many possibilities for sports, including in- and outdoor swimming pools, hiking and cross-country skiing. There is also a sports museum on the premises. The National Ski Stadium is in Lugnet. Its ski jumping hills can be seen from far away and have become a symbol of Falun. The hills area offers a café, a nice view of town, and a hint of just how insane you need to be to become a ski jumper. To get to the hills, keep going straight ahead after the Lugnet roundabout and follow the "Hopptorn" signs.