Trollstigen
Skövde

The blue trail – 12.4 km 

This 12.4 kilometre loop is the perfect day trip for anyone wanting to experience the whole of the Trollstigen. It’s a hike that’s close to town but where you still find yourself in the middle of Billingen’s forests. You’ll walk through the picturesque Rhododendron valley, in an almost jungle like setting below the edge of the table mountain. On the way you’ll pass through farmland and see traces of where people used to wash laundry on the banks of a babbling brook.

After several kilometres walking you’ll get to the Billingen’s eastern flank where you can explore the majestic diabase pillars and enjoy the magnificent view from the Ryds caves. There’s also a barbecue area here, perfect for a stop to rest tired legs and feet while enjoying a nice packed lunch with a view of the Skaraborg plain.

Sated and rested you can continue the hike down Billingen’s slopes. Deciduous woodland is dominant here and you can explore the fantastic ravines where layers of rock are exposed. You can even see traces of the old sunken lane which once used to lead up the mountain. On the way back you’ll pass through the Billinge Troll’s forest. The Trollstigen hiking trail is a great way to experience Billingen’s beautiful and varied nature while also discovering its history.

The pink trail – 8.1 km

The 8.1 kilometre pink loop follows the same route as the blue one up to the Skanska quarry. It then turns off to the left, taking you up Billingen’s dramatic slopes to the Ryds caves, where you can enjoy the view and see the striking diabase columns which have broken off from the mountainside. Shortly after the path re-joins the blue route and takes you along lovely forest tracks and paths back to the Billingen recreation area.  

Top tip! Don’t miss the opportunity to make a little detour just after the Skanska quarry – in the forest a pretty little waterfall gushes down the mountainside. A perfect place to stop before you head up the steep path to the Ryds caves!

The yellow trail – 2.6 km

This is a short 2.6 km loop through the magical forests on the slopes of Billingen table mountain. You’ll hike through the gorgeous Rhododendron valley in an almost jungle like setting, along the same route as the blue and pink to start off with, before turning off and following the little stream up the hillside.

Children’s adventure trail

Along the yellow trail there are fun activities and games for all children who love adventures while out walking. You’ll find a series of little stations along the way with a box – open the lid and find a task to carry out! At some of the stations you’ll also be able to stamp a card with mysterious letters. You can pick up a card to stamp in the letterbox by the entrance to the Billingetrollet forest.

Follow the yellow waymarks, they’ll take you round and lead you from task to task through the Billingetrollet forest. The trail finishes in Trollgrottan, where anyone who manages to solve the code to the treasure chest using the letters stamped on the card gets a little prize. Good luck! 

Accommodation, food and swimming

Trollstigen starts and finishes at the viewpoint up on Billingen. In the area you’ll find both the Billingetrollet forest and other exciting activities like cycling, climbing, ski tracks, a playground and outdoor swimming area, with a 50 metre pool with a fantastic view of Skövde. There’s also a sun deck and paddling pools for small children and babies, all with a fantastic panoramic view of the surroundings. Next to the pools is the newly renovated Billingehus, with hotel, restaurant, bar, spa and meeting room. Just a stone’s throw from where the Trollstigen starts is more accommodation. You’ll find cabins and a campsite in Billingens Stugby & Camping. Restaurang Mori, in Billingecenter, is a restaurant and cafe where adventure meets relaxation, and Swedish flavours meet Asian.

You can find tips for more scenic trails in Skaraborg suitable for day trips on vandraiskaraborg.se

Length:

The Trollstigen is a circular trail which can be walked in three different lengths.

Blue trail: 12.4 kilometres
Pink trail: 8.1 kilometres
Yellow trail with children’s adventure trail: 2.6 kilometres

Approximate timing:

Blue trail – 3.5 hours
Pink trail – 2.5 hours
Yellow trail with children’s adventure trail – 1.5 hours

Waymarking:

The blue, pink and yellow trails are signposted with a black silhouette of a troll.

Difficulty:

The trail is classified as moderate because the terrain is relatively easy but in some places gets quite steep, with more difficult sections. Surfaces vary from woodland paths and fields to gravelled roads. A shorter section also is along asphalted roads through a housing estate. Because of the large differences in gradient the trail is not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or rollators.

Start and finish:

The trail is a circular route which starts and finishes by the viewing area on Billingen table mountain. If you are arriving by car it’s better to park in the car park right by Billingebadet swimming pool. You can also get the number 8 or 9 bus from the travel centre to Billingen. If you want you can walk two shorter versions of the Trollstigen. One of 2.6 km and one of 8.1 km. Both loops start and finish in the same place.

How to get there:

Skövde is in West Sweden, in between Lakes Vänern and Vättern.

By bus

Buses nos. 8 and 9 go from Skövde Rececentrum up to the Billingen recreation area. Read more on  www.vasttrafik.se 

By train

Skövde is on a frequently trafficked main line and you can easily get there by train from both Gothenburg and Stockholm.

By car

Follow the signs to Billingen’s ’fritidsområde’ (recreation area). When you’re on the mountain, go straight ahead at the first roundabout, go past the hotel and keep going before turning left into the car park right by the Billingebadet swimming pool, above the ice rink.