The Falun - Röros Expedition

The greatest cultural historical expedition in Sweden 2003

The Falun to Røros Expedition
A Historic Journey with horse and sled

The Book: Falun-Röros - från världsarv till världsarv
Now with an english companion. A summary of the
book material and a translation of all the picture captions.

For thousands of years they trudged through the winter landscape, steam rising off the horses broad backs, fur klad men urging them on as they pulled the heavily loaded sleighs along the winter trail. Like todays truckdrivers hauling goods across the country, these traildrivers transported goods from Dalarna in Sweden to the ice free port of Trondheim, Norway and back again. There were no roads, no railways, but with sleighs that glided through the snowy woods and across the frozen lakes, the valuable but heavy loads of iron and iron goods could be shipped to Trondheim and from there out into the world.

Many of the farmers from Dalarna were traildrivers during the winter, a much needed supplement to the family economy. A warm winter, when the land was bare, and the lakes didn't freeze, was a catastrophe that could lead to starvation, sickness and death in all of Dalarna. The wintertrail, which has been traveled since the time of the vikings, was in use, at least in part, until the 1920's when the railroads and highways finally took over transportation.

The wintertrails formed a network all over Dalarna, linking the iron and copper mines to the ironworks, and the ironworks to the main road that led to Norway and the world. The horses could pull loads of iron ore weighing up to 1½ tons to the ironworks, where the iron was made into nails or scythes. Thousands of scythes made in Dalarna were transported, via the winter highway, to ships headed for America. Well unloaded in Norway the sleighs would be reloaded with herring, whisky and other goods for the return trip to Dalarna.

The traildrivers brought more with them than just goods. They travelled in groups, convoys if you will, from village to village, stopping at farms along the way to rest, bringing news of friends and relatives, stories from the cities, and strange new things that had come from distant countries. With them they had musicians who would entertain the entire village in return for their hospitality. Freindships and marriages were formed all along the trail uniting people from Trondheim to Falun. The lifestyle and culture of these traildrivers runs through history, much like the wintertrail runs through the landscape, changing and forming the people and culture along the way. Much of the culture of Sweden and Norway that we enjoy today, has been influenced, if not created, by the traildrivers that once traveled along the wintertrail.

In the spring of 1999, nineteen enthusiastic men and women formed the Dalarna Femund Forkörarförening (Traildrivers club). A diverse group with diverse backgrounds, careers, and interests, and ages that span the generations. Their common ground is a passion for horses and an interest in history and culture. While there are several other groups that drive the horses and sleighs along parts of the wintertrail offering thrills and adventure to tourists, this group focuses on authenticity.

Their sleds, clothes and tools are either antique or carefully reproduced to be as authentic as possible. Even the food they eat along the trail is the same type of food that their ancestors once ate. And instead of hauling tourists along the trail they haul iron goods, coal, skins and handiwork. For many years the dream had been to travel the entire wintertrail from Falun, in Dalarna, to Röros in Norway, a distance of 430 km.

Every year in February a huge outdoor market is held in the beautiful city of Röros, located in the mountains of Norway. The 150th market was to be held in 2003 and that seemed like a good year to attempt the great expedition. It had been 100 years since any group of traildrivers had left Falun on their way to Norway. The trail had been overgrown and forgotten or replaced by asphalt highways. And the mild winters we have experienced during the last decade did not look hopeful. But after careful research and a prayer to God for a cold winter, the plans were made.

On February 2, 2003 a group of 30 men and women and 20 horses with sleighs, drove along the historical streets of Falun and out into the forest. The lakes had been frozen for weeks and for two days the rain had turned to snow, covering the ground enough to give the sleigh glide. Eighteen days later, after a few very cold days, some snow, sleet, fogg and rain, visiting churches, villages, and historic farms and one night around the fire in the woods, some tears and quarrels but mostly laughter, music and good fun, a group of tired but happy traildrivers arrived in Röros, welcomed by thousands of happy marketgoers.

Filmmaker, Stefan Quinth, and his team were along on the trip taking pictures and filming the entire expedition.

Available Now!

English Version of the Film: The Falun - Röros Expedition

The Book: Falun-Röros - från världsarv till världsarv
Now with an english companion. A summary of the
book material and a translation of all the picture captions.