Äventyrsgruvan

Useful Information

Location:	Krongruvvägen 50, 781 99 Idkerberget. (60.341177, 15.180175)
Open:	Vandringsturen: 3rd Sun 11. Äventyrstur: daily 9, 14. Äventyr Deluxe: after appointment only. [2022]
Fee:	Vandringsturen: Adults SEK 295, Children (-14) SEK 195. Äventyrstur: Adults SEK 995, Children (-14) SEK 595. Äventyr Deluxe: Adults SEK 1395. [2022]
Classification:	Iron Mine
Light:	LED Lighting Coloured Light
Dimension:	T=4 °C.
Guided tours:	Vandringsturen: shurefootendess required. Äventyrstur: Max=32, Weight=36-120 kg, MinSize=130 cm. Äventyr Deluxe: D=4-5 h, Weight=36-120 kg, MinSize=130 cm.
Photography:
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Äventyrsgruvan Tuna-Hästberg, Krongruvvägen 50, 781 99 Idkerberget, Tel: +46-722-12-64-00. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

late 16th century	mining started.
1930s	all operations taken over by Stora Kopparberg Bergslags AB.
1968	mine closed.
2011	Adventure mine opened.
2020	stage completed.

Geology

The ore was iron ore, magnetite, also called black ore, with a small content of manganese and phosphorus. Six superimposed ore bodies were mined, the so-called kronmalmen (crown ore) was the richest ore with up to 54% iron. The seams together reached a thickness of 75 m at some points. The seams are very steep, between 0° and 30° from the vertical. The seams were sometime rather close, so the remaining rocks were not stable and collapsed formig bigger chambers.

Description

Äventyrsgruvan (Adventure Mine) is the name of the venue, the name of the mine is Tuna-Hästberg. There are numerous mines in the area, most of them open cast mine, others underground. There are some water filled open casts, others are dry. Some were transformed into show mines, others cane be visited of self-guided walks. But this mine is different, it was transformed into a adventure sports and events location. They offer stuff like abseiling, zip line and Via Ferrata, mine exploring, disco and concerts. There are even cave diving tours in the submerged part of the mine. The also offer rooms for conferences and meetings, they even have wifi underground, but no cell phone coverage.

The mine ha a huge chamber 350 m from the entrance and 80 m below ground, which was equipped with a stage and is now used for concerts. The room is big enough for 250 visitors. The events which take place here include kickoff, theater, magicians, Kung-Fu demonstrations, fire shows and rock bands. There are dance and disco events and private functions.

The regular tour without any of the sportive stuff is the Vandringsturen (Hiking Trip). The guides lead the group down into the mine via the 110 m long stairs in the old personnel shaft. The underground walk to the Great Hall gives an insight into the mining techniques and the daily work of the miners. Highlight is coffee and cake in a heated underground room. Although this is the easiest tour, much of the trail is not exactly show mine standard, there is still rubble on the floor, poor lighting and some parts require stooping. That's obviously intended, to make it more authentic.

The Äventyrsturen (Adventure Tour) includes climbing down iron clamps in the wall, the mine's Via Ferrata system and zip line over a crystal clear lake. It ends in the Great Hall with torches and music. The Äventyr Deluxe (Adventure Deluxe) is an adaption for small groups or companies. Its more or less the same but the group has a say in what they want to do. It also includes an underground meal. These tours require trekking shoes, appropriate clothes, and gloves. Helmet, headlamp and safety equipment are provided. Physical fitness and the ability to climb ladders are required, there are restrictions on age, size and weight for this reason.

All other events are sold by the local concert and event portals and the tourist offices, also on their own website. There are yearly events in the evening to 01-MAY and on Midsommar, of course.

Its unknown when mining started at this place, the best guess is the late 16th century. The mining is actually not mentioned but at that time furnaces were built nearby. The mining went on for hundreds of years, but the mine had its heyday in the 20th century. In the mid-1930s all operations were taken over by Stora Kopparberg Bergslags AB. They needed the manganese-containing iron ore for its ironworks in Borlänge, Domnarvet. They operated the mine for about 30 years. The mine was closed because of profitability, it is estimated that at least 16 million tonnes of ore remain in the rock.