Five hiking trails going past beautiful gardens dens

1. The Biosphere Trail

If you want to walk on Kinnekulle, the ‘flowering mountain’, and continue along the shore of Lake Vänern we suggest the Biosphere Trail, which stretches from Läckö Castle in the west to Mariestad in the east. There are many interesting stops along the way, not least a selection of gardens all with different characters.  

You can also walk the shorter Kinnekulle Path which passes several of the gardens on and around Kinnekulle.

Lilla Slottsträdgården at Läckö Castle

Inside Läckö’s whitewashed stone walls nestles a true oasis. For the last thirty years head gardener and landscape architect Simon Irvine, alongside his team, has developed the castle garden into something really special. Everything is grown organically and when harvested goes straight to the Hvita Hjorten restaurant, a stone’s throw away.

As well as wandering round the garden you can of course book a table at Hvita Hjorten and enjoy dishes made with the garden produce. There’s also a cafe, naturum visitor centre and accommodation – and naturally the castle itself, framing the whole visit.

Read more about Lilla Slottsträdgården

Ekebo Gård

Just south of Läckö a quite different kind of experience awaits. Ekebo Gård used to belong to the castle until the 1930s, when it was privatley purchased. Now Sara and her husband run a traditional West Swedish farm here, with 20 hectares of grain, KRAV organic production and cottage rental.

In the garden everything from roses and peonies to lavender and lilac thrive. There’s also a large apple orchard, so in autumn the old wagon shed is transformed into an apple juice mill. Do stop and say hi when you walk past, and if you want to get to know Sara better you can do it via Meet the Locals, a concept run by the West Sweden Tourist Board where tourists can get an insight into what everyday life is like for West Swedes, and see their favourite places.

Read more about Ekebo Gård

Handens hus

If you’re walking along the Pilgrim Path up on Kinnekulle then a stop at Handens Hus is a must. The old stone barn next to the red house with large mullioned windows gives a warm and welcoming impression. Have a seat under a parasol and enjoy the peace and quiet for a while.

Around the house the Rundqvist family have filled the garden with plants that suit the surroundings. In the beds you can enjoy lavender, roses, mallow, orpine and day lilies, among others. On the farm there’s also a garden shop, an antique shop, and a weaving studio.

Read more about Handens Hus

Hellekis Säteri

A bit further north, on Kinnekulle’s north west slopes, you’ll find Hellekis Säteri. The lovely park on the estate is famed for its many and unusual trees, including walnut, sweet chestnut, cucumber magnolia and two majestic gingko trees. There’s also a beautifully scented rose garden with old fashioned roses and during spring the pink poppies are in full bloom. 

Have a stroll around the garden and park, and do stay for a bite of food. The restaurant was originally the glasshouse. We recommend the wild garlic soup when it’s in season, a local classic. There’s also a garden cafe with cakes and pastries from the Café på Klostret bakery.

Read more about Hellekis Säteri

The University Park in Mariestad

At the eastern end of the Biosphere Trail you can visit the University Park and Marieholm island residence. The park and residence are on opposite sides of the river Tidan that runs through Mariestad.

In front of the main building there are some lovely beds inspired by late 19^th century flower gardens. And in the park you can find, among other things, red birch, pink flowering cherry and Japanese aster.

Read more about the University Park

2. Kuststigen

Kuststigen, The Coastal Path, is a popular hiking trail that boasts a variety of landscapes along its many sections, stretching all the way from Tjörn in the south to Oslo in the north. One section starts from Sundsby Säteri and runs between Tjörn and Orust. Hiking here offers an unbeatably beautiful coastal environment along the Sundsbyleden, with views of the Stigfjord. There are routes of varying difficulty, from easy walking paths to adventurous trails that even include a little bit of climbing.

Sundsby Säteri

Ever since the wealthy landowner Margareta Hvitfeldt (whose name was given to Hvitfeldtska High School in Gothenburg) lived on the manor in the 17th century the area has been a green paradise. The park's current character was developed towards the end of the 19th century, with large lawns, flower beds, mature trees, meadows, and cultivated gardens. Today, Sundsby Säteri is owned by Tjörn Municipality and is open to the public.

Add flavour to your hiking with something good to eat. Sundsby Säteri has a restaurant, a café, bakery, and farm shop. It’s the perfect place to eat or to buy something good for a picnic stop at some vantage point further along the trail.

Sundsby website

3. The Gotaleden

The Gotaleden is a walking trail with the added bonus of being very close to the city. It’s easy to get the train to one of the stops between Gothenburg and Alingsås and do a shorter walk from there. The trail is set in really lovely natural surroundings, with lakes, rivers and pretty valleys.

Trädgårdsföreningen – The Garden Society of Gothenburg

The Gotaleden starts in central Gothenburg, in fact right by Kungsportsplatsen, a few hundred metres from the Trädgårdsföreningen. This oasis was founded in 1842 and is today one of Europe’s best preserved 19^th century parks. It’s perhaps most well known for the Rosarium, which during summer is filled with thousands of colourful and scented roses. At the centre of the park is the Palmhuset, an elegant and grandiose glass house filled with lots of tropical plants.

If you want a fika you can do that at Rosencaféet or Café Grindstugan.

Read more about Trädgårdsföreningen

Jonsereds Gardens

This award winning stately home garden in Jonsered really has something for all tastes, with a formal garden, a rose garden, kitchen garden and show garden.

There’s always a lot going on at Jonsereds Gardens. Summer theatre, varying exhibitions, sales of plants and crafts all take place here, and there’s a café open during summer. 

Read more about Jonsereds Gardens

Växtrum i Lerum

Växtrum means ‘plant rooms’ in Swedish, so the name Växtrum i Lerum tells you everything you need to know about this project. Around Lerum you’ll find ten separate “rooms” which have been designed by different garden designers, with the help of a team of local volunteers. Each place is unique, and their names reflect something about them, like the round garden Solens öga, Eye of the Sun.

The garden rooms are all in the small town centre of Lerum with a walking trail leading to each one.  Definitely worth a visit!

Read more about Växtrum

Nolhaga Park

Nolhaga castle park in Alingsås is a popular destination for the whole family. In the centre of the park is the castle itself, a grand white residence in Italian neo-renaissance style, surrounded by green areas with ponds and flower beds. There are several pretty bridges and sculptures to admire, and even a swamp woodland area if you want to experience the feeling of a Swedish rain forest.

Inside the castle you’ll find a little café and art exhibitions. There’s also a farm in the park with animals to pet, a disc golf course and a large playground.  

Read more about Nolhaga Park

4. Bohusleden Trail

One of the most classic long distance trails in West Sweden is the Bohusleden, which stretches all the way from Lindome, south of Gothenburg, up to Strömstad in northern Bohuslän. If you want to walk to gardens stages 1, 5 or 27 are the ones to head to.

Gunnebo House & Gardens

When the sun comes out and Gothenburgers want to escape city noise for the day there are many who head to Gunnebo House & Gardens, and it’s not hard to understand why. A calm oasis greets you, with a beautiful stately home surrounded by resplendant gardens, stroll-friendly grounds, lakes and woodland.

The garden itself is split into three parts; the formal garden, the English landscape park and the kitchen garden. There’s also a glazed orangery which has been reconstructed using the original drawings. Stunning!

Have a wander around all the greenery and then have lunch or fika in the lovely estate cafe.

Read more about Gunnebo

Jonsereds Gardens

You’ll pass Jonsereds Gardens and its pretty garden café along both the Bohusleden and Gotaleden. You can read more about the gardens further up this page, in the section about the Gotaleden.

Strömsdalen

The northermost stage of the Bohusleden goes past Strömsdalen in the middle of Strömstad, a green space with a luxuriant flora. Bordering the paths in the park are hundreds of azaleas, rhododendron and magnolias.  There are also lots of other trees, everything from exotic species to Swedish classics like maple, alder and birch.

A little stream runs through the park, flowing into a pretty pond.

Read more about Strömsdalen

Hint! While you are in Strömstad why not take the boat out to the Alaska Garden on one of the nearby islands. The whole place has a fascinating history and in the garden you’ll find, among other things, hundred year old pelargoniums, peonies and rock garden plants.

5. Pilgrim Path Göta Älv

There are many pilgrim paths in West Sweden, and one of them follows the Göta älv river from Gothenburg to Vänersborg. Along the way you’ll come across many old churches, lookout points, lovely valleys and a couple of gardens. If you’ve never walked the Pilgrim Path Göta Älv before then it’s definitely time to do it now.

Trädgårdsföreningen – The Garden Society of Gothenburg

The Pilgrim Path starts by Masthugget Church in Gothenburg and before you leave the city centre behind you’ll pass Trädgårdsförening  with its rosarium and palm house. You can read more about Trädgårdsföreningen further up this page under the section about the Gotaleden.

Örtagården Herb Garden next to Lödöse Museum

Since ancient times, people have been interested in the healing properties of plants. At Lödöse Museum, a herb garden inspired by existing knowledge about medieval herb gardens has been created. You’ll be greeted by gravel paths, floral splendor, the hum of bees and a well with gurgling water. Sit down in the garden and enjoy the peace for a while.

Take the opportunity to visit the museum and explore all the archaeological finds from Lödöse, one of medieval Sweden's very first towns.

Read more about the Örtagården Herb Garden

More gardens to explore