Vårgårda between cultural landscapes and cycle paths

Vårgårda has six nature reserves of varying sizes. In addition, there are well-preserved agricultural landscapes with impressive stone walls, prehistoric fields and other historic traces of land use.

Nature and cultural landscape

The oak pastures at Mängsholm in the parish of Siene are among the largest and most beautiful in the county. The Säveån River flows through Mängsholm Nature Reserve.

Yxnås Nature Reserve preserves the character of an intensively used historic smallholder landscape through cultivation, mowing and grazing. At its centre stands an old soldiers’ cottage, which visitors may enter and whose guestbook they can use to make an entry.

Ljungås Nature Reserve includes a 19th-century forestry worker’s farmstead. The Ljungåsrummet is also located there and is open to visitors at all times.

Culture and history

Vårgårda Museum presents the history of Vårgårda from 8,000 BC to the present day. It is housed in the former elementary school in Tumberg.

The first church in Södra Härene is believed to have been built in the 13th century. In 1612, the church was looted and burned down by Danish soldiers fighting for Christian IV in the Kalmar War.

The Södra Härene stone cist lies on Jättakullen. It is considered the largest stone cist in the Nordic region and 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. A hiking trail approximately 4 km long runs through the archaeological area.

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. An exhibition about the four Fåglum cycling brothers focuses on the four brothers who conquered the cycling world.

Cycle paths and circular routes

The regional Ljungleden cycle path passes through Vårgårda Municipality. Ljungleden is 170 km long and runs from Gothenburg to Falköping.

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.

Kesberget Bikepark offers around ten different downhill runs. The “Roadtrip i Utvandrarnas spår” route is approximately 60 km long and can be travelled by bicycle or car. Along this route, visitors can see several filming locations from the latest Utvandrar film, released in 2021.

Exploring the surrounding area

Västtåget stops at several points along Ljungleden. Bicycles may be taken on board subject to available space.

The nearest bus stop to a bathing area is 100 m away and is served by buses 582 and 584.

When choosing a hotel in Vårgårda, the travel period, room category and cancellation conditions may be of varying importance. Those who view offers based on their own travel dates can compare these details side by side and tailor their choice of accommodation to the personal framework of their trip. This keeps the decision based on the specific terms stated for each offer.

The local overview Vårgårda is linked as a separate starting point.

To the higher-level travel overview: Västra Götaland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Tanum, Västerlanda, Götene, Hjo, Härryda, Grästorp, Alingsås.