Lilla Edet: Hiking Trails, River Landscapes and History

Lilla Edet lies in the Göta älv valley between Trollhättan and Gothenburg. The landscape combines a faulted valley shaped by the river with uplands, raised bogs, groves, forests, lakes and flowering river valleys. Nature and culture can be discovered here through a wide variety of places and activities.

Hiking trails between forest and river

The trails vary in length and scenery. The 2.9-kilometre Prässebergsleden passes through varied forest over ridges and offers viewpoints over the Göta älv valley. Along the way, there is also a waterfall and a Bronze Age burial mound with a viewpoint. The Ryrsjöleden is 7.8 kilometres long and runs across hilly terrain around Lake Ryrsjön. The Götaleden follows the uplands east of Lilla Edet for about five kilometres. The trail lengths offer a concrete comparison, while each route and terrain has its own character.

Longer trails are also part of the region: Two of the Bohusleden’s 27 stages pass through Lilla Edet, from Hjärtum in the north via Västerlanda to Svartedalen in the south. The marked Utby Hiking and Culture Trail is about 8.5 kilometres long. The Pilgrimsleden Göta älv runs along the Göteborg–Lödöse, Lödöse–Hålanda and Lödöse–Vänersborg sections. It is recognised as the S:t Olofsleden, marked with S:t Olof symbols and part of the European Cultural Routes.

For planning a trip without a car, local transport information is useful: Most hiking trails in Lilla Edet can be reached without a car. The Pilgrimsleden passes through all places with regular bus services. From Göta, Lödöse and Lilla Edet, Västtrafik also offers on-demand local transport to hiking trails outside the towns.

Water, forest and natural areas

In the Brattorpsån Nature Reserve, a lush deciduous forest gorge shapes the landscape; it is home to diverse forest flora, as well as mosses and lichens. Brattorpsån and Grönån are among the Göta älv tributaries with particularly extensive spawning and nursery grounds for salmon and sea trout. Svartedalen offers hiking trails, shelters, picnic areas, nature watching and recreational fishing, as well as opportunities for long hikes.

At Lake Ryrsjön, you can swim, fish, hike and canoe; rowing and canoeing competitions are often held there. The municipality also has three supervised and maintained bathing areas: Bodasjön, Lille Väktor and Borydsjön. For those wishing to compare bathing areas, there are several named options in the municipality.

Archaeology, locks and local history

In the 12th century, Lödöse was one of Sweden’s most important towns and a major port on the Göta älv. Lödöse Museum is an archaeological museum; its exhibitions, events and activities focus mainly on archaeology and the Middle Ages. A visit to Lödöse therefore puts both the history of the town and archaeological topics in the spotlight.

Sweden’s first lock, dating from 1607, is preserved in Lilla Edet. Ships are still raised and lowered through the locks on the Göta älv at Lilla Edet. Buildings and objects also preserve history in other places: Västerlanda Church was built in the 13th century; its medieval nave walls and a medieval baptismal font have been preserved. The Sockenmagasinet in Västerlanda is now a local history museum. The building was constructed as a granary in 1869.

Tösslandagården dates back to the 16th century. The main building contains original furniture, as well as glassware and tableware from the early 20th century. In Hålleröd, the water-powered shingle planer has been restored and still works as it did around the turn of the 20th century. The traditional technique of shingle making is demonstrated at the annual Spånhyvelns dag.

Culture in today’s Lilla Edet

In central Lilla Edet, Kulturhuset Eden hosts cultural events, music and films, and has a library and a school of arts. The programme may change, so it is worth checking the latest listings for specific events. Local tradition also includes Sankt Olofs Källa: According to legend, people made pilgrimages to this spring on Sankt Olaus Day, known as Olsok.

Discover more destinations: Göta, Prässebo, Nygård, Lilla Edet, Lödöse, Strömstad, Dals Rostock, Bollebygd.

See the broader travel overview: Västra Götaland.