Gullspång between Lake Vänern, Nature and History

The Gullspångsälven River flows through Gullspång and connects Lakes Skagern and Vänern. The direct location selection includes Hova, Otterbäcken, Gårdsjö, Gullspång, Skagersvik and Södra Torp.

Nature

The Gullspångsälven Nature Reserve around Åråsviken is home to a diverse bird population. The wild Gullspång salmon and trout depend on spawning grounds in the Stora and Lilla Åråsforsarna rapids. The distance between the car park by Gullmovallen in Gullspång and the car park at the marina by Amneholm is 4.5 kilometres.

The Högsåsen Nature Reserve has marked hiking trails ranging from 1.2 to 10 kilometres in length. Högsåseberg reaches 216 metres above sea level and, in clear weather, offers views of Billingen and Kinnekulle. The Folkeberg Nature Reserve has a marked 1.6-kilometre hiking loop through a forest with very old trees. It is also home to a well-preserved Bronze Age burial mound or stone cairn grave.

Water

The salmon ladder in Gullspång can be visited year-round; the best opportunities for observation are usually during the salmon and trout spawning season in October and November. There is an information board as well as tables and benches for a picnic by the salmon ladder.

Lake Vänern offers year-round fishing for several fish species using various sport-fishing methods. Vänern Outdoor offers kayak rentals, courses, and guided and self-guided tours in Gullspång Municipality.

Culture and History

Hova Knight Week has been an annual summer tradition since 1990. The historic Battle of Hova in 1275 is the centrepiece of the event. During Hova Knight Week, Hova hosts, among other things, jousting tournaments; the event also includes a knight’s village with craft sales. The food on offer includes cabbage soup and “galen galt” at Ladulås lada.

The reconstructed Södra Råda timber church represents one of Sweden’s best-preserved medieval wooden churches, as well as magnificent wall paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries. Guided tours are offered there on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer. The old churchyard site and the permanent open-air exhibitions are accessible independently year-round.

The Frans G Bengtsson Memorial Library displays books from the author’s private collection, his rustic desk, as well as original letters and working notes.

Trails and Activities

Kvarnfallet is a picnic area and starting point for hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels. The hiking trails at Kvarnfallet pass remnants of the charcoal-burning tradition, including a charcoal-burning site and a charcoal burner’s hut. Ribbingsfors Golf Course is situated in an estate landscape by Lake Skagern and has nine holes.

Getryggens Activity Park has a 12-hole disc golf course and an easier six-hole course. The park also offers a bike park with downhill and technical courses, pump tracks and MTB trails.

Trelänsbanan is a 38-kilometre railbike route running from Gullspång via Konsterud in southern Kristinehamn to Degerfors. The railbike station in Gullspång is approximately a 200-metre walk from Gullspång bus station.

Hälsans stig is a three-kilometre, low-barrier or accessible hiking loop in the town of Gullspång. The loop begins and ends in Dressinparken; Gullspång bus station is on the opposite side of the street.

Visitor Information

The InfoPoints in Gullspång Municipality provide inspiration for exploring the area and offer visitors local tips.

For the higher-level travel overview: Västra Götaland.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Götene, Grästorp.