Tips for spring excursions Falköping

1. Lake Hornborgasjön

This is one of Europe’s most important bird lakes. Thousands of cranes gather here every spring to rest on their migration to their breeding sites. To view these fascinating birds, you can visit the Trandansen site at the southern end of the lake from late March to mid April. All about the crane season you will find here!

Lake Hornborga also has a visitor centre (naturum) up on pillars out over the lake at Fågeludden on its eastern shore. It houses an exhibition about local birdlife and the lake, and there is also an observation tower. Close to the visitor centre is Café Doppingen, offering home-made cakes, tasty sandwiches and lunches.

Tips!

• The area around the Trandansen site is at its most beautiful in the mornings, with the cranes flying through the often magical dawn light. There are usually also fewer people around, so you have plenty of space for enjoying the spectacle. You can read all about this year’s crane season here!
• There are many beautiful hiking trails by the lake.

2. Cheese traditions at Falbygdens Osteria

Falbygdens Osteria is now run by the fifth generation of the same family and is known for its cheeses and other delicatessen products. It features a 25-metre-long cheese counter displaying the osteria’s cheeses, imported delicatessen cheeses and cheeses from small local producers. You can enjoy the cheese buffet in their restaurant or purchase items from the shop. 

3. Beautiful art and delicious food at Löfwings Ateljé & Krog

As a visitor to Löfwings Ateljé & Krog, you will have chance to experience nature-inspired works by Göran Löfwing. Göran has also created an outdoor exhibition, featuring a selection of his pictures in the wonderful park. Meanwhile, Linda serves up a variety of home-cooked and home-baked delights in the restaurant and café. 

Tips!

• Combine your early-morning ‘Trandansen’ visit with a locally produced breakfast at Löfwings Ateljé & Krog. Open daily 25 March to 21 April 08.00-10.00. Why not book a table?
• If you want to stay for longer, there is a charming B&B on site. 
• Other accommodation options in the area include Nästegården, where you stay in a picturesque 19th-century setting with restored period buildings, and Bosgården with its charming cottages.
• Skaraborg Culture Route passes by Lake Hornborgasjön and Löfwings. This is a brown/white-signposted tourist trail between Karleby and Tidan. It takes in numerous fascinating visitor attractions and plenty of picturesque scenery. Download the app Kulturväg Skaraborg for your local guide!

4. Exciting experiments at Dalénium Science Center

Discover exciting experiments, tricky problems to solve and magical shows at Dalénium Science Center. In our experiment hall you can try out a multitude of activities. Why not test your audio memory or try making your way through the laser course without disrupting the beams?

5. Gudhem Cistercian abbey

At Gudhem you can explore the ruins of the Cistercian abbey that was founded here in the 1160s. Gudhem parish church is also sited here and a small abbey garden.

Tip!

• Go for a hike along the Pilgrimsleden Trail from Falköping to Varnhem, which runs past the abbey.
• Not far away is interior design store Kdesign, with an attractive assortment of pots, garden ornaments, flowers and lamps. It also has a café serving coffee and cakes, sandwiches and salads.

6. Sweden’s largest collection of ‘hill cottages’

Åsle Tå heritage centre has Sweden’s largest collection of preserved ‘hill cottages’. Wander along picturesque Tågatan, step inside the cottages and experience a unique historic environment dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. At Café & Restaurang Åsle Tå you can enjoy lovingly prepared dishes made with seasonal local and Swedish ingredients, home-made refreshments and ice cream.

Tip!

• A few kilometres from Åsle is interior design store Hem till mig, selling beautiful and classic interior design items with a country-living feel.

7. Mösseberg and Ålleberg plateau mountains

The large recreation area at Mösseberg affords scenic views over Falköping and Falbygden. You can hike, have fun on the playgrounds, play disc golf, visit the animal park or go mountain-biking when the snow is melted.

Ålleberg is Västra Götaland’s highest plateau mountain, and is largely nature reserve. You will find three hiking trails of varying lengths and levels of difficulty, naturally accompanied by picturesque views. 

Tip!

• Ålleberg and Mösseberg form part of Platåbergens Geopark, which is Sweden’s first UNESCO global geopark. 

8. Elk, bison and fallow deer at Wrågården

Wrågården has become known for its spectacular accommodation, where families can stay overnight in the heart of their elk and deer park in a cottage shaped like an elk. However, there are plenty of other activities aside from their overnight accommodation. Join a safari among the bison, view the majestic residents of their elk park, or why not have a go at padel tennis.

9. Ancient times in Falbygden at Falbygdens Museum

Falbygdens Museum explores unique local history, going back to prehistoric times. Come and discover the fascinating exhibition “Ancient times in Falbygden” with melting ice, Scandinavia’s oldest domestic dog, the young Raspberry Girl sacrificed in a bog and the story of the gold collar from Ålleberg.

Tip!

• Falbygden/Falköping area is home to around 260 passage graves, which is unparalleled in Sweden. The museum has an information map and a suggested tour route.

 

More excursion tips and further information

We recommend checking the venues’ own websites for further information on opening times before planning a visit, as these may vary during the season!

More to do!