Wira Bruk is a small village with an interesting role in Swedish history. It’s located just off road 276 between Åkersberga and Norrtälje and a perfect stop if you’re in the area.
It’s really small so you’ll be able to see everything within a few hours.
It feels like a step back in time with red wooden houses by the water and a small stream running through the village, surrounded by green trees and bushes. The place has kept the atmosphere of how the Swedish countryside looked back in the day.
I was visiting Wira Bruk in the early summer and that’s the time it’s most beautiful to visit in my opinion. A few hours is enough to walk around, have a fika and see the smithy.
Back in the 1600s Wira was Sweden’s main weapons forge. From 1630 the blacksmiths here had royal permission to make swords and sabres for the army.
It’s kind of crazy to think that for over a hundred years this small village was a key part of Sweden’s military power.
That time is obviously long gone, but the original blacksmith’s building is still there and it’s interesting to see how they were working inside. It must have been so hot during the summers.
Next to the café you’ll find Wägerths Konstsmide, which is a small workshop where two blacksmiths keep the craft alive with a mix of old techniques and modern design. It’s really nice to visit if you’re into handmade things.
The Café
The highlight of the visit is to sit down for lunch or a fika at the café. It’s perfect for a break whether you’re cycling the backroads or hiking along Roslagsleden.
The menu is simple but tasty with smörrebröd, fresh salads and a solid fika lineup of pies and pastries. I had smörrebröd with Skagen, pickled red onion and trout roe. It was really well-made with tons of shrimp in the Skagenröra.
A stop along Roslagsleden
Roslagsleden is a popular long-distance trail from Stockholm to Grisslehamn and passes through Wira Bruk. Stage 6 starts here and heads inland through forests and open fields before reaching Penningby.
It’s one of the longer sections on the route, with a mix of gravel roads and rocky pine forests.
Getting to Wira Bruk from Stockholm
The drive from Stockholm to Wira Bruk is about an hour. I usually just take the E18 towards Norrtälje and then turn off for Åkersberga. From there you follow road 276. Just before Roslagskulla you turn left onto Rialavägen and you’re there.
If you have the chance, go by bike or motorcycle instead. The small inland roads between Åkersberga and Bergshamra are so much nicer than the straight stretch of 276. On two wheels it feels like the kind of stop that makes the ride worth it. Quiet, a bit hidden and a good place to take a break before heading north.
