Holiday apartment in Västerlanda: Churches, pilgrimage trails and woodland nature

The unusually well-preserved and distinctive parish centre of Västerlanda combines ecclesiastical history with trails through the woodland nature of western Sweden. Västerlanda kyrka is described as a church with a 1,000-year history. Its visibly preserved medieval longitudinal walls extend from the chancel to the gallery; the church and its baptismal font date from the 13th century.

Culture

The church is located on County Road 625. Directly beside it stands the Sockenmagasinet, which was used to store grain until 1914. The historic surroundings also include Bohusstugan, considered one of the first local heritage museums in the Göta Älv Valley. Its collection has been expanded since its establishment through donated objects from the surrounding area. In 1926, patron Eskil Larsson from Thorskog donated Bohusstugan to the Västerlanda parish. Previously, the cottage stood in the park at Thorskog; it was subsequently moved to its present location on the Kyrkeby property.

Since 1988, Västerlanda has held a summer church every year. It includes church tours, refreshments and the sale of handicrafts in the parish hall. The area's older settlement history is also visible within the municipality: Most of the Bronze Age and Iron Age ancient monuments in Lilla Edet Municipality are concentrated on the western mountain plateaus of the river valley in Hjärtum and Västerlanda.

Hiking

The 11-kilometre Pilgrim Västerlanda runs between Sankt Olofs källa in Källseröd near Torskogs slott and Västerlanda kyrka. After 3.5 kilometres, the route offers an optional 5-kilometre extension, bringing the total length to 16 kilometres. Pilgrim Västerlanda was completed in 2008. A letter from 1987 reported the existence of a medieval baptismal spring in Torskog.

Two of the Bohusleden's 27 stages also pass through Västerlanda: they run from Hjärtum in the north through Västerlanda to Svartedalen in the south. The Bohusleden is a wilderness trail through a beautiful, lake-rich woodland landscape. Along the trail there are equipped shelters and barbecue areas.

Nature

The purpose of managing and administering the Svartedalen nature reserve is to preserve a largely untouched area representative of the woodland nature of western Sweden. The area has viewpoints, bathing spots and canoeing waters, as well as good opportunities for catching game fish. Sport fishing is also possible there. Svartedalen has a diverse bird and animal life, including several owl species, wolves, hazel dormice and smooth snakes.

Bottenstugan at Ålevatten in Svartedalen is a starting point for several hiking trails. There is a car park, an information board, a toilet and three shelters with barbecue areas. When approaching from Ström or from Lilla Edet via Västergård, Svartedalen nature reserve has a car park and an information board. Along the route through Svartedalen there are two shelters for overnight stays; at Bottenstugan there are also two shelters, a barbecue area with firewood and a dry toilet.

To the main travel overview: Västra Götaland.

More destinations

More places in the same destination:

Vänersborg, Bollebygd, Dals-Ed, Istorp, Gråbo, Åmål, Borås.