Färgelanda: Hiking, Waterways and Culture

Färgelanda offers a variety of highlights for your trip: hiking trails on Kroppefjäll, paddling routes, historically significant paths and cultural venues. When choosing a hotel for your stay, you can consider which of these interests will shape your plans. The places and activities below provide some specific points of reference.

Hiking on Kroppefjäll

The Kroppefjäll nature area covers 23,000 hectares of forests and lakes, as well as twelve nature reserves. More than 100 kilometres of hiking trails provide access to the area. The Kroppefjällsleden is 54 kilometres long and divided into two stages. Karl XII:s väg offers a different scale: this 15-kilometre historic trail crosses Kroppefjäll. The distances and the stated division into stages help you compare the two routes according to the scope of your hiking plans, without presupposing their difficulty or walking time.

Karolinerstugan lies along Karl XII:s väg and is open to the public year-round. If you are planning to visit and stay overnight, check the conditions on site. This lets you keep the hike at the centre of your plans while taking the specific note about the cabin into account.

Waterways and cycling

You can paddle the Flottarleden from Ellenösjön or Östersjön, through Färgelanda towards Bohuslän and Kaserna. There are overnight stops and barbecue facilities along the route. This offers a different way to experience the landscape from the hiking trails: it follows the waterway and can be planned from the named lakes towards the destinations indicated.

There is also a historically significant connection for walking and cycling. The route between Färgelanda and Ödeborg follows the former Lelångebanan track and runs alongside the Valboån. The former railway track and the river are two distinct landmarks along the way. Färgelanda also has cycling routes linked to historic sights such as graves and buildings.

Church, art and history

At Färgelanda kyrka, it is worth noticing the different layers of time: the old churchyard dates back to the Middle Ages, while the church was inaugurated on 20 July 1873. A free-standing burial chapel for the Rydingswärd family has also been preserved in the churchyard. The history of the church building and the churchyard’s older origins thus stand side by side, without being assigned to the same period.

Färgelanda konsthall, on the upper floor of Centrumshuset, exhibits a variety of art year-round. Its programme includes eight to ten exhibitions per year. Nearby, Ödeborgs fornsal houses almost 6,000 objects from Dalsland dating from the pre-industrial period. It is open by appointment only, so take this access information into account when planning a visit.

Other historic sites in the surrounding area include Ättehögskullen, a burial ground from the Early Iron Age. It is signposted, clearly visible from Road 172 and has free parking. Also nearby, Högsäters kyrka was built in the Neo-Gothic style between 1900 and 1902. A listed building is located in Vinnsäter in Färgelanda Municipality. The well-preserved Dalslandsgården Vinnsäter farmstead dates from the mid-19th century and regularly hosts summer events. Check the specific dates if you would like to plan your visit around them.

Further information and regional cuisine

Färgelanda InfoPoint provides a map of Kroppefjäll and Ödeborgsfjället with information about history, vegetation and hiking trails. It also offers information about fishing in Ellenösjön, Östersjön and Ragnerudssjön. This information can help you consider water-based activities and hiking as separate options for your trip.

For culture enthusiasts, Cultural Route No. 2 is a visitor route through Färgelanda and Bäckefors. Nearby, Ragnerud Kök uses locally produced ingredients from Dalsland and Västsverige. Its food and drink also feature ingredients gathered in the surrounding forests. If you would like to include regional cuisine alongside hikes and historic sites, this provides another distinct highlight for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Färgelanda, Rådanefors, Ödeborg, Stigen, Högsäter, Uddevalla, Vänersborg, Tidaholm

Go to the regional travel overview: Västra Götaland.