Tempelbackaleden
Skara

City adjacent walking trail

The Tempelbacka Trail, stretching between Götala and Stenum, winds past fascinating and beautiful sites in centuries‑old cultural terrain. At Tempelbacken you’ll find very ancient archaeological remains—and, according to legend, this is where “All the Geats’ Assembly” once convened. Perhaps a sacred cult site stood here long before Skara became a town and its cathedral was built…?

A beautiful oak landscape

Oak is the dominant tree species along the trail, and you can even see Skara’s oldest oak—around 350 years old. Picnic tables and benches invite you to pause and rest, and in spring the forest floor is carpeted with wood anemones. The path follows woodland trails and boardwalks, with a short section on a lightly trafficked road.

Götala Manor

Götala has a rich history. In the 13th century the estate belonged to the Bishop of Skara, and before that it likely served as a royal farm. The elegant main house dates from the late 1800s and is well worth a 500‑metre detour from the trail.

Once a pagan cult centre and marketplace stood here—three of the region’s main thoroughfares converged at Götala, making it a key site in the emergence of Skara.

A family‑friendly, city‑adjacent trail

The trailhead is just 1 km from the Vilans recreation area, where there’s ample parking and a pleasant walk to the start at Skara Animal Cemetery. Its short length and proximity to town make it ideal for families, though it’s not suited to strollers, wheelchairs, or walkers.

Along the route you’ll find information boards explaining the local flora and trees.

Fact about the trail

2 km

If you start by Vilans fritidsområde and walk from there, it comes to a total of 4,85 km

45 min

Blue marking with an oak leaf and the text TEMPELBACKALEDEN

Moderate

The trail is a circuit.

A small parking lot is located on the left of the gravel road leading toward Skara Brukshundsklubb.

A larger parking lot is available at Götala Herrgård around 600 meters from Tempelbacken and the Tempelbacka walking trail.

If you want to start in Skara you can park at Vilans Fritidsområde, around 1 km from the trail start.

On Foot

Follow Axevallagatan beneath the E20 toward Brunsbo. Turn right at the sign for Stenum. The trailhead is about 100 meters in from Axevallagatan.

By Bus

The nearest stop is Marie kyrkogård östra, served intermittently by bus 211. Check current schedules here: vasttrafik.se

By Car

Parking is available at Götala Manor (600 m from the trailhead), at the small parking lot next to0 the gravel road leading toward Skara Brukshundsklubb and at the Vilans Recreation Area (approx. 1 km from the trailhead).