Rosenstigen walking trail
Varnhem
The Rosenstigen Trail is a beautiful hiking path of approximately 2 km, winding in a wide arc around the Monastery Church with its monastery ruins and its predecessor, Kata Gård - the ruins of a christian church from the 900's. Along the river, you pass small limestone steps and a picturesque stone bridge. Parts of the Arn movies were filmed here.
A historic hike in beautiful nature
The walk takes you through a cultural landscape that tells the story of how people have lived here for two thousand years. The Rosenstigen Trail is named after Alba rosa minette, a rose found in the monastic environment of Gudhem, which now also grows near the monastery museum in Varnhem. In the app Kulturväg Skaraborg you can listen to stories along the walk (the stories are available in english).
Sights of interests along the way
In the area, you can follow traces of Iron Age burial practices, Bronze Age cairns with their groves in the fields, the monastery surroundings with an exciting history from the 12th to the 16th century, and the locations of 17th- and 18th-century farms, with remnants of buildings such as today’s Sörgården. The trail also passes parts of the former lands of Skara Hospital, including a garden in the church park and mills at Bille, followed by Gustafsberg Mill from the 19th century with its beautiful arched bridge.
The path continues along the Ulunda Stream, leading you on a scenic walk back to the historic monastery area with its monastery church and ruins. Along the way, you will enjoy beautiful views of Klostersjön before the hike concludes just past Kata Gård, the ruins of a Christian estate church from the 10th century.
Photographer: Lukasz Larsson Warzecha - LWimages Studio
Lighter lunch and Swedish "Fika"
Along the trail you will find the café Varnhems Klosterkafé that serves lighter lunches and Swedeish "fika" with pastries and coffee. The opening hours varies throughout the season.
Accommodation and interior design shop
You will also find Klostergårdens Vandrarhem & Gårdsbutik here—a cozy little hostel and a charming shop with home decor. During the summer months, simple refreshments are also available for purchase.
Discover more
Visit our webpage to discover more gems and places do explore in the area.
Photographer: Mårten Bergkvist
Fact about the trail
Length:
Approximately 2 kilometers (2000 meters)
Approximate times:
Between 0,5-1 hour depending on pace.
Area:
Rosenstigen winds around the Monastery Church with its monastery ruins and Kata Gård in Varnhem. We pass small limestone steps and a picturesque stone bridge. Parts of the Arn movies were filmed here.
Marking:
Yellow plaque with white rose.
Level of difficulty:
Medium.
Start and end:
The trail is a circuit and starts at the monastery area in Varnhem.
How to get here:
By bus
There are good communications with public transport. Take bus 1 or 200 from Skövde or Skara.
Search departure at vasttrafik.se
By bike
There is a seperate bicucle route from both Skara and Skövde leading to Varnhem.
By car
Varnhem is located between Skara and Skövde along road 49. Parking is available by Varnhem monastery church.
Facts about the trail
Length: 2,2 km
Timing: 0,5 - 1 h
Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: forest paths, asphalt road with light trafic and gravel roads. Parts of the trail go through pastures with grazing animals.
