Holiday apartment in Falköping – Hiking, Culture and UNESCO Geopark

Falköping shows its special side at Mösseberg: Mösseberg is a table mountain with numerous nature and leisure activities in Falköping. The mountain has an MTB skills course with a pump track, jumps, flow track, children’s loop and balance obstacles. For winter sports, Mössebergsbacken has four ski slopes and the same number of lifts.

Nature and Trails

One hiking trail on Mösseberg is 4.5 kilometres long; alternatively, a shorter 3.3-kilometre route can be chosen. Hälsoslingan is a central hiking trail in Falköping, with options of 4, 6 or 8 kilometres. Another hiking trail starts at the former Motionscentralen opposite the campsite’s main car park.

From Burmastigen, a short boardwalk leads to a birdwatching tower with views over the reserve. Falekvarna is a special natural and cultural environment with lush deciduous forests, rushing streams, as well as meadows and grazing areas. The hiking trails in the Falekvarna nature area have been restored; there is also a summer café and opportunities for barbecuing.

The Mösseberg area can be reached by an on-demand bus service; the journey must be booked by telephone at least one hour before departure. Odenbadet at the Oden Sports Centre can also be reached by car, bus, train or bicycle. In Falköping and its neighbouring municipalities, there are selected cycling routes through open agricultural landscapes, along smaller country roads and into the challenging table mountains.

Culture and History

Ekehagen is the only prehistoric village in Sweden in which all the major prehistoric periods are represented. The passage grave Kyrkerör is located in Plantis Park, opposite Biograf Cosmorama. Plantis was laid out in 1885 as one of the green spaces of the town of Falköping. The park has a restaurant, mini-golf and a children’s playground.

The oldest parts of S:t Olofs kyrka on the Falköping–Varnhem pilgrimage route were built from limestone no later than the beginning of the 12th century. Gökhems kyrka dates from the 12th century, has largely retained its original appearance and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval churches in Västergötland. The oldest parts of Åsle kyrka also date from the 12th century.

Platåbergens Geopark became Sweden’s first UNESCO Global Geopark in spring 2022. It is a collaboration between nine municipalities: Grästorp, Trollhättan, Vänersborg, Lidköping, Götene, Mariestad, Skara, Skövde and Falköping.

Falbygdens museum is located in the heart of Falköping and is dedicated to the history of Falbygden. Exhibits include Sveriges äldsta hund, Hallonflickan, replicas of powerful gold neck collars and bronze objects. In the case of Hallonflickan, it is suggested that she may have been sacrificed to the gods.

Leisure and Recreation

The animal park on Mösseberg, near the viewing tower, is free of charge and is home to, among other animals, alpacas, goats, rabbits, pigs, fallow deer, Shetland ponies, peacocks and chickens. A footpath and cycle path leads from the nearest car park to the animal park on Mösseberg. Mösseberg also has 9-hole and 18-hole disc golf courses; both start at the entrance to Mössebergs Camping & Stugby.

Odenbadet has a family area with a whirlpool, water cannon, bubbling benches, slide and paddling pool. The quiet area at Odenbadet includes a hot tub, cold bath, steam bath, regular sauna and relaxation room.

Food and Regional Places

Falbygdens Osteria offers a cheese school, cheese tastings and guided tours of the cheese cellar. There is also a cheese and delicatessen buffet with cheese from Falbygden, as well as other cheeses from the surrounding area and further afield.

More local pages: Falköping, Floby, Kättilstorp, Sandhem, Åsarp, Stenstorp, Vartofta, Slutarp, Broddetorp.

For the broader travel overview: Västra Götaland.