Discover Mårdaklev’s history and nature trails

You can get to know Mårdaklev through both its historic church and the trails in the surrounding area. These offer different scales: a place with at least 800 years of church history, marked trails at Klevaberg, and longer routes linking several churches. These themes give you concrete reference points for planning your trip, without requiring you to make any one attraction the focus.

Mårdaklev Church and the history of the village

Mårdaklev Church stands on a hill that slopes down towards the Ätran. There has been a church at this site for at least 800 years. The present church building was completed in 1875–1876. Inside, the altarpiece is part of the village’s artistic heritage: Sven Nilsson Morin carved it in 1804. A virtual tour of Mårdaklev Church is also available.

Mårdaklev’s place in earlier border history is also notable: the Swedish-Danish national border ran south of the village and remained there until the Peace of Brömsebro in 1645. Mårdaklev’s fortifications are defensive works built to control a historic road. Together, the church, the border and the fortifications represent different points of historical interest, without conflating their dates or functions.

Klevaberg and trails through the landscape

The nearby Klevaberg nature trail has one blue-marked and one red-marked route; information boards provide additional guidance. The blue-marked Klevaberg Trail offers views across the Ätradalen. The property of the Mårdaklev local heritage association is part of Klev Nature Reserve, which also includes the Klevaberg nature trail. Mårdaklev local heritage farmstead dates back to the 18th century and offers another perspective on local history.

When choosing a trail, details about its length and route are more useful than a general assessment of how challenging it is. Klevaberg offers two marked route options; the 49-kilometre Kindaholm Pilgrim Trail links the churches in Kalv, Håcksvik, Östra Frölunda and Mårdaklev. The two options therefore differ clearly in scale: a trail area with two marked routes on the one hand, and a longer route linking several churches on the other.

The Kindaholm Trails describe additional sections around Mårdaklev Church. On the way to the church, for example, the route follows a road for about four kilometres, surrounded by moorland and marshland. From the church, its final section follows the Ätran through a varied natural and cultural landscape to Östra Frölunda. These details help you understand the route: the section leading to the church and the following stretch along the river pass through different types of landscape.

Places to take a break and discover more

Klevs Gästgiveri is near Mårdaklev; its origins date back to the 1650s. It has a café and offers culinary experiences. As the offering may change, it’s best to check what’s currently available before your trip. The Klev bus stop is just outside the inn. This location detail may help you find your way; on its own, it says nothing about timetables or connections.

Next to the inn is the old village shop. Among other things, it sells old-fashioned sweets, including in pointed paper cones. Another way to combine your trip with an activity is the Mårdaklev Disc Golf Park, with its two different layouts. This means you can factor local church history and landscape, culinary offerings, and a sporting option into your stay; no particular order is prescribed.

Discover more destinations: Holsljunga, Östra Frölunda, Kalv, Mjöbäck, Örsås, Håcksvik, Hillared, Svenljunga.

Go to the main travel overview: Svenljunga.