Mark between forests, lakes and culture

Mark is characterised by deep forests, glistening lakes and winding gravel roads. In the Ramsholmen cultural reserve, hiking trails lead through a varied cultural landscape with oak pastures and grazing land, offering views of Öresjön along the way. From the summit of Hyltenäs kulle, you can enjoy far-reaching views over the surrounding landscape.

Other place names that may help with orientation include Istorp, Björketorp, Horred, Hyssna, Kinna, Sätila, Öxabäck, Fritsla, Tostared, Skephult, Torestorp, Älekulla, Hajom and Fotskäl.

Nature

A three-kilometre hiking trail begins at Hyltenäs kulle and runs along Öresjön through a leafy mixed forest. Along the way, there are wind shelters and an opportunity to swim. Hyltenäs kulle is signposted from Road 41 at Sundholmen and can be reached from Kinna or Skene via Örby and Torestorp.

The Ramhultafallet nature reserve extends for just over 1.2 kilometres along the north-western shore of Lake Lygnern. The Ramhultafallet waterfall is over 50 metres high and is considered one of Sweden’s highest waterfalls. Gravel paths run by the waterfall to platforms near Ramhultafallet; there is also an accessible viewing point.

From Sätila, drive approximately four kilometres towards Fjärås and then follow the signs from Fjäråsvägen. In the lower area, there is also a car park for people with disabilities and families with prams. Rydal has a natural area with several hiking trails and opportunities for swimming, fishing and canoeing.

The hiking trail around Mjögasjön in Rydal is eight kilometres long and leads around the lake. Along the trail, there is soft moss, views of the lake and sturdy tree trunks.

Culture

The Rydal Museum is located in Sweden’s best-preserved spinning mill complex and offers exhibitions in a historic industrial setting. Rydal also has a 750-metre signposted historical walking tour about the history of the people and buildings in the area; the route is partially adapted for accessibility.

Rydal’s industrial character is considered to be of national interest. Workers’ housing, the schoolhouse, the director’s residence, the power station and the spinning mill have been preserved, with some buildings also protected as listed buildings. The permanent TEXTIL MARK exhibition at the Rydal Museum conveys the history of Rydal and the textile district in Mark through projections, animation, sound and lighting design, as well as interactive elements.

Around twenty information boards along the Ekleden provide information about the nature, culture, people and history of the area. The Viskastigen partly follows a medieval road that led from Halland through Västergötland onwards to the capital.

Hiking

Hittaut in Mark is a free outdoor activity in which you search for checkpoints using a paper map or the app. It can be done on foot, running, by bicycle or in a wheelchair and is open around the clock.

Hyssnaleden is a 40-kilometre hiking trail through Mark Municipality in southern West Sweden. It passes through beech forests in the Stomsås nature reserve. Kurirleden is 50 kilometres long and runs from Örestens fästning fortress outside Örby to Kinnahus in Östra Frölunda.

The name Kurirleden derives from a route that may have existed 600 to 700 years ago, along which couriers rode with mail between the two fortresses. The Flohult hiking trail is 6.6 kilometres long, suitable for prams and begins at the Lygnevi sports field.

Viskastigen is an 18-kilometre hiking trail between Agnbäck in the south and Öresten just before Skene in the north.

Cycling

Förläggargårdsturen is a cultural and historical cycling tour through the textile cultural landscape of Sjuhärad. Hyssnaturen is an approximately 38-kilometre cycle path through a varied landscape of open plains and deep forests around Kinna, Rydal and Hyssna.

A 41-kilometre cycling loop leads through Torestorp, Älekulla and Öxabäck, offering beautiful views, peaceful landscapes and a rich cultural history along the way.

Regional products

Farm shops in Mark offer regional products such as eggs, honey, meat, potatoes, mushrooms and seasonal vegetables. Bakeries in Mark sell fresh sourdough bread and freshly baked cinnamon buns.

To the higher-level travel overview: Västra Götaland.