Hiking Trails

Discover the scenic Valle area on foot – Hike in Valle

Valle Camping is located in the heart of the beautiful Valle area – a place where nature offers grand experiences. The rolling landscape, shaped by the inland ice, is rich in lakes and varied terrain. When the ice receded along Mount Billingen, it created this unique area – perfect for those wanting to enjoy nature up close.

With six nature reserves and sixty kilometers of marked trails, the Valle area is a fantastic place for hiking. You’ll encounter everything from deep forests and winding eskers to blooming meadows, grazing pastures, and mirror-like lakes. On your hike through the area, you may also discover fascinating natural phenomena such as kettle holes – landscape formations created by melting ice blocks during the Ice Age.

If you want to hike here, we have gathered all the information you need on a dedicated page about hiking in Valle – click here to read more!

On this page, you’ll also find several other hiking trails in the area, perfect for day trips and nature experiences in the beautiful landscape of Skaraborg.

Welcome to discover our unique nature!

Hiking in Varnhem

The Rosen Trail in Varnhem

The Rosen (rose) Trail is a scenic hiking path of about 2 kilometers that winds through historic grounds around the Abbey Church and the monastic ruins. Here you walk through centuries of history – from Iron Age burial sites and Bronze Age cairns to medieval monastic settings and 17th–18th century farms.

Along the trail, you’ll pass remnants of old buildings and lands once belonging to Skara Hospital, with its garden still surviving in the church park. You follow the Bille River past Gustafsberg Mill from the 1800s with its beautiful arch bridge and the old pilgrim path that led to the monastery. The trail continues along Ulundabäcken down to Ulunda Mill, built in the 1880s, where parts of the old water supply can still be seen in the ground.

The trail then takes you past Ulunda’s oldest limestone quarry and into Hammaren and Hammarsbacken, once home to Hammars Mill. You also pass the site of Klosters Mill before finally reaching Kata Gård, one of Sweden’s oldest church sites, finishing your walk among the atmospheric monastery ruins.

The Rosen Trail is more than a beautiful walk – it’s a journey through the layers of time, with each step carrying traces of a bygone era.

Pilgrimage Trail

The Pilgrimage Trail passes through Skara and offers a walk full of history and scenic experiences. For those wishing to explore the charm of pilgrimage hiking, there are 500 kilometers of trails to discover.

Along the trail you’ll encounter beautiful churches rich in cultural history, such as the impressive Skara Cathedral and the historic monastery church in Varnhem. Starting in Skara, you can choose to walk towards Varnhem and on to Gudhem, or follow the trail towards Husaby on scenic Kinnekulle.

Whichever direction you take, the Pilgrimage Trail offers an experience where nature, culture, and history blend along the way.

Hiking at Lake Hornborga (Hornborgasjön)

Through shore meadows and cultural landscape

At Lake Hornborga there are several shorter hiking trails that take you through the unique landscape around the lake. Many of the trails start from Hornborga Naturum and wind through the shore meadows and beautiful cultural landscape.

From April to September, guided walks are also offered where you can learn more about the area’s rich nature and history. Whether you prefer a peaceful walk or joining an organized tour, Lake Hornborga offers scenic and rewarding hikes in one of Sweden’s most fascinating bird habitats.

Broddetorp

Hike through shore meadows and cultural landscape. At Lake Hornborga, there are several shorter trails. In the area around Hornborga Naturum, several trails start and lead through shore meadows and cultural landscapes. From April to September, guided walks for the public are also arranged.

Here you can download the map for the area.

Bolumsleden (3.5 km) – cultural and historical hike

This trail takes you through the old cultural landscape on the eastern side of the lake. The path starts at the parking lot by Hornborga Naturum and passes several historical sites, including ancient remains and traces of early agriculture. The terrain is hilly and offers beautiful views of the lake.

Note that the trail passes through grazing fields where animals are often present.

Want to experience even more history? Continue along the trail to Heljesgården, a living museum farm operated by the Västergötland Museum.

Hångerleden (3 km) – beautiful oaks and bird tower

Hångerleden takes you to Hångers udde in the southern part of the lake. Here, you’ll encounter varied environments with ancient oaks, swamp forest, and shoreline meadows. From the bird tower, you can spot the lake’s characteristic bird species, and in spring and autumn, there are good chances of seeing cranes up close.

Along the trail, you also pass Hånger’s deserted cemetery, where it is said that King Inge the Elder was buried in the 12th century.

Ytterbergsleden (5 km one way) – panoramic views over the lake

This trail follows the shore southwards from Hornborga Naturum to Ytterbergs udde. During the hike, you can enjoy beautiful views over the lake and bird-rich shoreline meadows.

At Vässtorp, you’ll find unique flora, and along the path there’s a traditional hay barn – a perfect spot for a coffee break. At the very tip of the headland, there’s also a wind shelter where you can sit down and watch waterfowl.

Almeöleden – hiking through open landscape

This trail takes you through Hornborgamaden to the tower at Almeö, one of the lake’s best birdwatching spots. The path runs through open terrain, offering fantastic views over the lake.

Note that this trail often requires boots or hiking shoes, especially during high water, when parts of the path may be submerged.

Utloppsleden – a peaceful walk at the lake’s outflow

From the parking lot between Trestena and Stenum, follow a levee north along the west side of Lake Hornborga. The trail takes you to the lake’s outflow into the Flian River, where a birdwatching tower offers fantastic views of the landscape.

The tower is especially popular in winter and early spring, when the flowing water remains open even as the rest of the lake is frozen. Ducks and swans often gather here, and in spring, you have a good chance of seeing and hearing the red-necked grebe display.

Orebacksleden (3.5 km) – beautiful views and rich birdlife

This trail winds along the western shore of the lake, just north of Dagsnäs Castle. You walk along an esker, providing a fine view over Lake Hornborga.

The trail passes through deciduous forest with rich flora, especially beautiful in spring when flowers and birds bring the area to life. Since the lake is overgrown in this part, many birds thrive among the reeds and bushes. In the afternoons and evenings, you avoid backlight, making it ideal for birdwatching.

Ore Nabb (1.5 km) – a short walk to a scenic viewpoint

Ore Nabb is a small but worthwhile destination for those who enjoy both forest and lake scenery. The walk to the birdwatching tower is about 1.5 kilometers and takes you through varied terrain.

The path follows an esker through deciduous forest and pastures, with contrasting landscapes on either side – poor marshland to the left and the rich lake to the right. At the tower, you can sit down and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and view over the lake.

Whether you want to experience the lake’s rich birdlife, enjoy beautiful walks, or simply take a quiet moment in nature, these trails offer fantastic experiences all year round.

Hiking Trails in Skara

Skara – a hiker’s paradise. In Skara, we love hiking. You’ll notice this in the variety of trails in the area. Here you’ll find a string of walking paths through scenic surroundings. In the Valle region and by Lake Hornborga, there are marked trails through beautiful nature reserves. If you want to experience the joy of pilgrimage hiking, there are 500 marvellous kilometres to explore. Below we also list a few hiking gems that are lesser-known in and around Skara.

Tempelbackastigen

Take a walk on the newly renovated Tempelbackastigen between Götala and Stenum, passing interesting and beautiful places. The length of the loop is just over 1.8 km. There are old cultural settlements here. On Tempelbacka there are really old ancient monuments and according to the legend “Alla Götars Ting” was held here. Perhaps there was a place of worship here long before Skara became a town and the cathedral was built. Götalabäcken, which is now just a dug ditch, used to be a waterway that formed a small lake next to Tempelbacka. The fact that there was plenty of water then is shown by the name “Vadet” on the farm east of Götala.

Götala has a very interesting history. In the 13th century the property was owned by the Bishop of Skara, before that it was probably a royal estate. The farm is now owned by Hushållningssällskapet Skaraborg. The manor house from the late 19th century has now been subdivided and houses a restaurant.

The oak is the dominant tree species and along the path you should be able to see Skara’s oldest oak, about 350 years old. Tables and benches allow you to sit down and take a break along the path. In spring there are plenty of white flowers in the area.

A suitable starting point is near the pet cemetery, located a bit along the road toward Stenum, or alternatively at Götala Manor.

Flianleden

The trail starts at the Petersburg Light Trail and is 15 km long in total. Shorter distances can be chosen.

Walking Path – Skara’s Health Trail

A signposted walking route within the urban area. Cycle, walk or run. The choice is yours. Particularly suitable for those who have more difficulty walking. Paved, sofas are available in several places.

Important to keep in mind

It cannot be repeated too many times, respect the right of public access! With the right of public access come responsibilities and obligations. For example, it is not allowed to break twigs, to make a fire in case of danger of forest fire or to walk on another person’s property. It is forbidden by law to walk in a field in a growing crop, to drive a motor vehicle off-road or to take birds’ nests or eggs.

Other rules also apply to nature reserves. For example, you are not allowed to pick flowers and you can only burn on built fireplaces. Signs show the special rules that apply in different reserves.

The following rules apply to Ökull-Borregården:

It is NOT permitted to:

picking or digging up plants, fungi, mosses and lichens. However, it is allowed to pick berries and mushrooms
Collect, destroy, or damage dead trees, large branches, and windfalls.
Bring unleashed dogs.
drive a motor vehicle. However, the owners of the summer cottages enclosed by the nature reserve have the right to drive motor vehicles on the gravel road that runs along the eastern side of Ökulla Lake in the nature reserve
Park, camp, or set up caravans or motorhomes.
Cycle, except on the gravel road along the east side of Lake Ökulla.
Light fires.
Organize military exercises.
Put up signs, posters, or other disruptive items.

Without permission from the County Administrative Board, it is forbidden to:

collect invertebrates. This does not apply to the collection of crayfish and tambin, the organisation of major sports competitions, camps, similar activities or large gatherings.

Valle Camping is located on private land outside the nature reserves, and our camping rules apply here.

Problems along the trail?

Please note that although one of the “Hiking in the Valley” trails starts from the campsite, it is not the campsite that maintains the trail. If you see something that does not work, or have suggestions for improvements and additions, please contact Skara Municipality, contact centre, telephone 0511-320 00 or report an error via the website skara.se/felanmalan.

Accommodation in the Valle area (Valleområdet)

Book your accommodation for hiking in Valle here.

Great resources A highly useful page with planning tools and detailed information about several trails.

https://westswedentrails.se/