Holiday apartment in Härryda: Nature, lakes and culture

Härryda is a landscape where nature, waterways and cultural-historical sites lie closely alongside one another. Around half of the municipality is covered by forest and wilderness. As a result, the range extends from protected moorland and lakeshore landscapes, lakes and hiking trails to churches, old transport routes and traces of small-scale farming history.

Nature

The Hårssjön-Rambo mosse nature reserve comprises broadleaf forest, shore and swamp forests, as well as a mosaic landscape of moors. The Bohusleden trail runs through the northwestern part of the area; local paths connect it in the southeast with Lahall and a trail around Finnsjön. Hårssjön is important for numerous breeding and resting bird species. The Härskogen nature reserve contains the lakes Lilla Härsjön and Stora Härsjön, where, among others, black-necked grebes and red-throated divers breed. The area also has a clearly defined network of trails: several hiking trails and two illuminated routes begin at the central car park; there are also shelters, fireplaces and a toilet at the car park. In the area, you can hike, swim, camp, ice skate and ski.

The Rådasjön nature reserve includes the lake and the surrounding land areas, with broadleaf forests, shore forests and open grazing land. Rådasjön is also important as a wintering site for, among others, ducks and whooper swans. Swimming, sport and recreational fishing, rowing and sailing are possible there. Extensive oak forests, alder swamp forest, rocky pine forest and a meadow characterize the Gallhålan nature reserve. Several bird species live at Agntjärn, including mallards, tufted ducks, goosanders and pochards. Trails and circular paths, three barbecue areas and an almost four-metre-high waterfall near Agntjärn are also part of this area.

The Storån valley is of national interest both for nature conservation and for the preservation of the cultural environment. Storån provides a habitat for Lygnern trout, freshwater pearl mussels, eels and brook lampreys.

Trails and activities

In the Bråtaskogen nature reserve, trails pass small waterfalls and the remains of old mills along Bråtabäcken and Hålsjöbäcken. A blue-marked trail, approximately 2 kilometres long, passes a barbecue area. A red-marked trail, 4 kilometres long, leads to a rest area in the forest east of the meadow. For longer distances, there is the Vildmarksleden: the 42-kilometre hiking trail runs between Hindås railway station and the Skatås motionscentral in Gothenburg, passing several lakes along the way.

Cycling routes also cross Härryda. The approximately 19-kilometre section of Västgötaleden passes through Rävlanda and Hindås. The approximately 12-kilometre section of Turiststråket runs via Råda towards the Delsjön nature reserve. At Vargkullen mountain bike park, the facilities include a pump track, a jump area, a drop area, several trail loops, and a balance and skills area.

From the Hindås kanothus on Västra Nedsjön, a relatively easy paddling tour of approximately ten kilometres leads around the lake, with several attractive rest areas along the way. In Mölnlycke lies Wendelsberg, an approximately 60-hectare natural, cultural and recreational area offering opportunities for walking, exercising, playing disc golf and barbecuing.

Culture and history

Råda Säteri was declared a listed building in 1969 and is subject to special protection regulations. The present main building was constructed in 1772. Another aspect of regional history is represented by the ski jumps at Hindås. They have existed since the beginning of the 20th century, are classified as a listed building because of their particularly high cultural-historical value, and form part of the sporting history of Härryda and Gothenburg.

Danseredsbron in Härryda is a stone arch bridge leading to Danseredsliden. This old road section illustrates the route and construction of roads before the age of the automobile. In the Risbohult nature reserve, a mill ruin, remains of dams and a stone wall have been preserved; the wall may have been part of an old cattle track.

The isolated farmstead of Håltet preserves a small-scale farming landscape from the forest region dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visible strips of farmland, fences, old paths, clearance cairns and house foundations are among its preserved features. The cholera cemetery at Heden in Rävlanda was established in connection with the cholera epidemic of the 1830s; 27 rectangular depressions mark the graves.

Landvetters kyrka has largely preserved nave walls dating from the 14th century, a pulpit with original parts from 1685 and a soapstone baptismal font from the late 13th century. Råda kyrka in Mölnlycke is a well-preserved wooden church from the 18th century. It was built in 1712 and has preserved ceiling paintings.

Holiday apartment in Härryda

Other places

For direct location selection, you can choose Hindås, Hällingsjö, Härryda, Mölnlycke, Rävlanda and Landvetter. Other destinations in the same broader region are Vårgårda and Munkedal.

To the broader travel overview: Västra Götaland.