Kinnekulle
Kinnekulle

Kinnekulle – The Blooming Mountain

Kinnekulle is one of the few places in Sweden where an unusually diverse range of habitats can be found in one area. Lush deciduous forests, whispering spruce woods, groves, meadows, pastures, and limestone pavements all coexist here. Cherry trees, hedge, and wild apple trees bloom alongside the rare wild garlic, which in many places forms a large, strongly scented carpets. Meadows glow with cowslips, and the rare lady’s slipper orchid has its own favorite spots.  

Gardens on Kinnekulle

At Hellekis Manor, you’ll find a wonderfully lush perennial garden blooming from May through September. There’s also a delightful rose garden, as beautiful and peaceful as something from a fairytale. A short distance away in The Munch Meadows, birdsong echoes from the tall deciduous trees, and wild garlic spreads across the ground in late May and early June. A local harvest market is held every year during Höstrundan Kinnekulle event, where local growers sell their produce at the market in Husaby on the first weekend in September. At Ubsola Garden which is open occasionally or by appointment, organic vegetables are grown using traditional methods. Don’t miss the delicious lacto-fermented white cabbage! At Handens Hus in Medelplana, you’ll find local handicrafts focusing on textile works, a café, and a lovely garden to enjoy.

Food and Accommodation on Kinnekulle  

There are several options for those who wish to enjoy good food and stay overnight on Kinnekulle. At Hellekis Garden Café & Restaurant, you can enjoy lunch and fika in the beautiful garden or inside the orangery. The food is seasonal, and in early summer, wild garlic soup often features on the menu. At Café på Klostret, delicious buns and pastries are baked. Kinnekullegården offers a wonderful view of Billingen and serves both lunches and buffets. Handens Hus combines crafts, a café, and a lovely garden.  

Don’t miss Forshem’s Gästgivaregård, with a history spanning several centuries. Here, food is prepared following the slow food concept using local ingredients, and wild garlic appears again, in both pesto and flake salt.

In Lundsbrunn, you’ll find Lundsbrunn Resort & Spa, a fully renovated establishment offering everything you could wish for in a comfortable and luxurious experience. There are also several bed & breakfasts and hostels on Kinnekulle.

Remarkable Geology

Kinnekulle consists of five rock types layered on top of the bedrock. From these layers, one can read the story of our Earth, possibly dating back 540 million years. That was when the first primitive animals appeared in the seas, many of which were preserved as fossils in the sandstone. Much younger and more complex are the creatures you can see as trilobites and orthoceratites in the limestone layer. 

Medieval Churches and Historic Stone Industry  

On Kinnekulle, you’ll see many walls, barns, and storehouses built from hewn limestone. These are reminders of the mountain’s stone industry, which was extensive from the 12th century until the mid-20th century. Today, only Råbäcks Mechanical Stonemasonry remains, brought back to life each summer, allowing you to see and hear how limestone was once shaped into various practical and decorative objects.  

Also visit some of Kinnekulle’s many churches, most dating back to the 12th century. It was at Husaby Church and spring that Sweden is said to have been Christianized with the baptism of Olof Skötkonung in the year 1008.

Manors and Estates

Kinnekulle is a region steeped in history, rich in ancient monuments, and alive with fascinating legends. The area is also home to several renowned estates, including Råbäck, Hellekis, Hönsäter, Blomberg, Hjelmsäter, and Trolmen.