MATTSSONS UTSIKTSTORN - THE HIDDEN TOWER IN THE FOREST

Forest Junkie
Sep 7
2 min read

Updated: Sep 25

Where: Väggberget near Sala

When: All year round

What: Mattssons Utsikttorn

Today we went on a small adventure outside Sala to visit something really cool: Mattssons Utsiktstorn, a 20-meter-high lookout tower hidden deep in the forest.

You can park your car nearby, and from there it’s only about a one-kilometer walk to the tower. Don’t let the short distance fool you, though. Both the road you drive to get there and the trail itself are beautiful. Forest, big rocks covered in all kinds of moss, and the quiet atmosphere make it all part of the adventure. And then, suddenly, you see the tower rising above the trees.

CLIMBING THE TOWER

The tower was actually constructed in 1981 by radio amateur Nils “Nisse” Mattsson (1929 - 1998) together with a group of friends. They used it to connect with people all over the world. The site is on Väggberget, on land owned by Mattsson himself. For about 40 years, the tower stood quietly here in the forest, known only to locals.

Now, visitors are welcome to climb it – at their own risk though. The steps are quite an adventure in themselves: steep, more like ladders than stairs. Once you make it to the top, you’ll forget all about the climb... until you have to climb down again haha.

THE VIEW

The view is breathtaking. From up there you can see as far as Sala, Västerås, Norberg, and Krylbo. On clear days, people say you can even spot the Skrapan in Västerås and the silo in Sala. The feeling of standing above the treetops, with miles of Swedish forest and fields stretching out around you, is unforgettable.

We stayed up there for a while, enjoying the silence, just soaking up the moment.

HIKING AND EXPLORING

Mattssons Torn is also part of the Svartådalsleden trail, a longer hiking route that stretches between Västerfärnebo and the tower. So if you feel like a bigger adventure, you can turn your visit into a full-day hike.

But even if you only come for the short walk to the tower, it’s absolutely worth it. A mix of beautiful nature, history, a bit of adventure, and a view that makes you feel on top of the world – this is a real hidden gem in the Sala area.