Holiday accommodation in Vårgårda – cycling paths, nature and culture

Vårgårda combines well-preserved agricultural landscapes with impressive stone walls, prehistoric fields and other historical traces of land use. The municipality has six nature reserves of varying sizes.

Nature

Among the distinctive landscapes are the oak pastures near Mängsholm in the parish of Siene. They are considered among the largest and most beautiful in the county. The Säveån River flows through Mängsholm Nature Reserve. In Ljungås Nature Reserve, a nineteenth-century forestry worker’s homestead has been preserved. The Ljungåsrummet visitor room is also located there and is open to visitors at all times.

Yxnås Nature Reserve preserves the character of an intensively used historical smallholder landscape through cultivation, mowing and grazing. At its centre is an old soldier’s cottage, which guests can enter and where they can sign the guestbook.

Culture and history

Vårgårda Museum presents the history of Vårgårda from 8000 BC to the present day. It is housed in the former elementary school in Tumberg. Another historical trace leads to Södra Härene: the first church there is believed to have been built in the thirteenth century. The church in Södra Härene was looted and burned down in 1612 by Danish soldiers fighting for Christian IV in the Kalmar War.

Jättakullen in Södra Härene is home to the Södra Härene stone cist, considered the largest stone cist in the Nordic region. It is believed to be up to 4,000 years old. Hols gärde and Hols hed form the largest and most significant prehistoric monument area in the Säveån valley. The archaeological area also has a hiking trail of approximately 4 km.

The Nårungabygden Mission History Museum tells the story of the revival movement and its influence on the region. Advance booking is required for a visit. The exhibition about the four Fåglum cycling brothers focuses on the four brothers who conquered the cycling world.

Paths and cycling routes

The “Nature and Cultural Trail” circular route presents Vårgårda’s natural and cultural history. Along the route there are picnic areas, benches and information boards, including at Tumberg, Flaskeberget and Kyllingsån. The route thus connects the landscape and historical themes visible at various locations throughout the municipality.

The regional cycling route Ljungleden runs through Vårgårda municipality. Ljungleden is 170 km long and runs from Gothenburg to Falköping. Västtåget stops at several locations along Ljungleden; bicycles may be taken on board subject to available space. Kesberget Bike Park offers around ten different downhill runs.

Another perspective is offered by the “Roadtrip i Utvandrarnas spår” route. It is approximately 60 km long and can be travelled by bicycle or car. Along the route, visitors can see several filming locations from the latest 2021 Utvandrar film.

Practical information

There is also a specific stop-related detail for the connection to a bathing spot: the nearest bus stop to a bathing spot is 100 m away and is served by buses 582 and 584. In addition, the direct link to Vårgårda provides further information about the locality.

Further destinations: Bengtsfors, Hålta, Tvärred, Partille, Töreboda, Månstad, Härryda

For the higher-level travel overview: Västra Götaland.