12 Summer experiences

A special atmosphere rests over Varnhem, thousands of years in the making. You can visit Kata Gård here – the ruins of a thousand-year-old farm church from the 10th century. Kata Gård also has an exhibition where you can learn all about the Christian Vikings who lived here.

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• The lake Klostersjön in Varnhem has ben restored, and we can once again look out over a calm lake, just as the monks did in their time. A short walking trail goes around the lake and offers nice views towards the beautiful monastery church.
• Round off your visit with coffee and cakes or a hot meal at Klosterkafét.
• Check out the farm shop at Klostergården's Hostel.
• Take a drive along the Skaraborg Culture Route, passing through Varnhem. It’s a brown & white signposted tourist route from Karleby to Tidan with numerous interesting sights along the way. Download the app and head out on an exciting road trip!

The Cistercian abbey at Gudhem was a convent founded in the 1160s. It enjoys a beautiful setting with views over Lake Hornborgasjön. Today you can explore the abbey ruins and Gudhem parish church. There is also a small abbey garden and museum.

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• Shop for homewares, flowers and take a coffee break at Kdesign in Östra Tunhem.
• Hike along the Pilgrimsleden Trail (Falköping to Varnhem), which passes by the abbey.
• Stay overnight at Islanna Trädhushotell, 6.5 metres up a tree.

At Mösseberg in Falköping you can enjoy a variety of wonderful nature experiences, outdoor activities and beautiful views of Falbygden. The tracks and hiking trails on the mountain vary in length and type, and are suitable for walking, running and mountain-biking. You will also find a disc golf course, play areas and a small animal park.  

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• Lunch or perhaps a spa day at Mössebergs kurort? Want to stay a little longer? They also offer overnight accommodation in a delightful spa resort setting.
• Small-town shopping in Falköping town centre, with a pleasing selection, charming cafés and first-rate service.
• A large cheese shop and delicatessen, refreshments and a cheese buffet can all be found at Falbygdens Osteria.

Did you know that...?

• Mösseberg is 327 m above sea level and forms part of Platåbergens Geopark. Västergötland boasts 15 table mountains. 

Take a trip to the beautiful Valle district. A gentle, rolling landscape dotted with lakes, like something from a fairytale. You can enjoy gorgeous flower meadows, shady deciduous forest, an abundance of small, sparkling lakes and picturesque nature reserves that follow one after another. Pack a picnic for an evening outing to Lycke lilla höjen nature reserve, where you can dine with sweeping views of nearby Kinnekulle Mountain.

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• Just a stone’s throw from Lycke lilla höjen you can visit the small farm shol Lycke Lamm. Say hello to the lambs and visit the shop that sells sheepskin, homemade honey and interior design.
• Experience echoes of the past at Höjentorp - Drottningkullen. Learn about the royal figures who once lived on the site of this scenic nature reserve and explore the ruins of the once magnificent Höjentorp Castle.
• Visit the area on a weekday and have a tasty lunch at Flämslätt kurs- och Stiftsgård. Local food is served during lunch hours mo-fri. You can also walk around the small lake Flämsjön. Why not end your walk with a swim in the lake? At Flämslätt, there is a bathing jetty, and at several spots along the trail, you can take a dip from the shore.
• Don't miss the Remningstorp Arboretum – an exciting and well-marked collection of unique trees. The trail passes through the arboretum.

The historic neighbourhoods in Skara’s picturesque town centre are home to a number of treasures. A visit to the magnificent cathedral is a must when visiting the town, and there is a strong sense of history as you stroll around the area.

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• Within the walls of the Old library you’ll find not only Bokäventyret, but also the beautiful 19th-century library with its original flooring and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
• Go on a flea market tour! Shop vintage, flea market, or second-hand items.

Enjoy thrilling rides on the new MTB trails in the beautiful forests of Billingen! Roll over logs and stones along marked MTB tracks of varying characters and difficulty levels. Challenge yourself with a tough workout or bring the whole family on the easier, shorter trail.

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• Also discover the Billingen Mountainbike Arena - an area that invites you to practice your skills with tracks, curves, jumps, and drops. There are also two pump tracks of different difficulty levels. Not far from the pump tracks, you'll find a completely different adventure at higher heights. Bring family and friends and swing between the trees in the Upzone high ropes course.
• No bike of your own? No problem. At the Billingecenter, in the heart of the area, you can rent mountain bikes for the whole family. Here, you'll also find the café and restaurant Toppen.
• Staying a bit longer? Stay overnight at Hotell Billingehus, close to outdoor activities. Enjoy a good dinner at the restaurant and relax after an active day on the mountain. If you prefer camping life, there is Billingens Stugby & Camping.

The Åsle Tå heritage centre has ten preserved ‘hill cottages’ (backstugor). Wander along quaint Tågatan, step inside the cottages and experience a unique historic environment dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Café & Restaurang Åsle tå serves home-made refreshments and dishes using locally produced ingredients. 

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• Several kilometres from Åsle Tå is Wrågården, where you can view elk and bison, visit their farm shop, or enjoy refreshments or home-made pizza. If you want to extend your visit, you can stay overnight in a selection of cottages shaped like elk or bison.
• A few kilometers from Åsle tå lies the interior design store Hem till mig, offering beautiful classic décor in a country living style.

Experience the tranquillity of the lakeside meadows and enjoy views of Lake Hornborgasjön. There are numerous hiking trails of varying lengths and character close to the lake. The Hångerleden trail takes you through meadows and past attractive stone walls and old oak trees. At Utloppet there’s a short trail that’s good for spotting black-necked grebes, while the Ytterbergsleden trail runs around a peninsula with beautiful views of the lake.

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• Visit the Naturum Hornborgasjön visitor centre, which is built out over the water. It houses an exhibition about the lake and its abundant birdlife. Next door to the visitor centre you can enjoy refreshments accompanied by beautiful views of the lake at Café Doppingen.
• Discover beautiful art indoors and out at Löfwings Ateljé & Krog. They also serve home-made refreshments and lunches. And if you want to stay a little longer in the area, they offer charming B&B accommodation too.
• Other overnight accommodation options in the area include Nästegården, where you stay in a picturesque 19th-century setting with restored period buildings, and Bosgården with its charming cottages.

Attractive waterfalls plunge down the western slopes of Billingen plateau mountain at popular Silverfallet nature reserve. The water flows over limestone slabs, alum shale and sandstone, making it a picturesque spot to visit all year round. In addition to the natural beauty and majestic falls, there are also fascinating historic remains to be found. 

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• Just a stone’s throw from Silverfallet is Karlsfors Gård, offering campervan pitches, plenty of parking and toilets. It’s also home to a charming interior design store with a café and an art gallery.
• Here you will also find Café på Klostret, Karlsfors, with its own bakery where everything is baked from scratch using carefully selected ingredients.
• Feeling like going on a hiking trip? Let the Karlsforsrundan hiking trail take you through the deciduous forest of Billingen and experience a beautiful plateau mountain landscape, waterfalls, and many layers of history.

Visit a zoo, a science center, go hiking, or experience the Book Adventure. Around Lake Hornborga in Falköping, Skara, and Skövde, there are plenty of fun experiences for the whole family!

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• Experience a guided beaver safari at Herrtorps Qvarn, where you have a great chance of seeing beavers up close. You can also rent a canoe for daytime paddling.
• Follow Birger Uggla through the history of books in the exhibition's various play stations at the Book Adventure.
• Travel back in time and discover how people and animals lived in ancient times. Try paddling a log boat, shooting with a bow and arrow, or take a guided tour at Ekehagen's Prehistoric Village.
• Water play and delightful swims in pools can be enjoyed, among other places, at Skara Sommarland's water park or at the adventure pool Arena Skövde.

Outside Floby lies one of Sweden's largest tree collections - the park Alphems Arboretum. The park was established and shaped by the rural mail carrier Frans Johan Gegerfeldt, who spent 50 years building up the garden with rare trees from around the world. In Valle outside Skara, you'll find the next gem: Remningstorp Arboretum. Here, you'll also find many different types of trees with various origins. The park was built up during the years 1936 - 1938.

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• Don't miss the Dahlia Bed in Varnhem. It's the planting of the Swedish Dahlia Society displayed at the entrance to the attraction Varnhem. Here, you can see around 60 different varieties of dahlias.
• Wardin's ecological garden in Jäla is filled with cultivation of vegetables, herbs, berries, and fruits. Visit the farm shop or pick your own vegetables.
  
  

On a lush hill lies the Amundtorp stone ship surrounded by several Iron Age graves. From the site, one can enjoy an expansive view towards Lake Hornborga and in the evenings, as the sun sets over the landscape, the place is bathed in a magical glow.

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• Combine with delicious galettes or coffee at the nearby Mellomgården Café & Farm Shop.
• Enjoy coffee or shop for local products at Alekärr Organic Farm.

For opening times and prebooking (if required), please check individual websites.