Västerlanda: Pilgrim Trail, Bohusleden and Parish History

Västerlanda offers two distinct perspectives on walking: the Pilgrim Västerlanda runs from Sankt Olofs källa in Källseröd to the church, while two stages of the Bohusleden pass through the area to Svartedalen. There is also an unusually well-preserved, characteristic parish centre with its own history of buildings and collections. This brings together a cultural heritage trail with clearly specified distances and a longer route through the forest landscape.

Parish Centre and Cultural Heritage

The church and baptismal font of Västerlanda kyrka date from the 13th century. Medieval longitudinal walls running from the choir to the gallery are also visible in the church. Both datable architectural features and preserved medieval elements therefore shape the parish centre.

The Sockenmagasinet, a parish granary used to store grain until 1914, stands right next to the church. The church and granary thus represent different functions of the parish centre: sacred architecture and the former storage of grain.

Another part of the area’s history is Bohusstugan. It is considered one of the first local heritage museums in the Göta Älv Valley. Since it was established, the collection has been expanded with donated objects from the surrounding area. The patron Eskil Larsson from Thorskog donated the cottage to Västerlanda municipality in 1926; it was moved from Thorskog’s park to its present location on the Kyrkeby property.

The archaeological history stretches further back than the church’s building history. Most of the municipality’s Bronze and Iron Age archaeological remains are concentrated on the western mountain plateaus of the river valley in Hjärtum and Västerlanda. The region is therefore also part of a landscape with much older traces of cultural history.

One seasonal tradition is the summer church, which has been held in Västerlanda every year since 1988. If it affects when you travel, check the dates for the relevant year.

Pilgrim Trail and Bohusleden

The 11-kilometre Pilgrim Västerlanda connects Sankt Olofs källa in Källseröd with Västerlanda kyrka. After 3.5 kilometres, you can optionally extend the route by 5 kilometres, bringing the total distance to 16 kilometres. The pilgrim trail was completed in 2008. These distances give you a clear choice between the basic 11-kilometre route and the extended option.

Two of the Bohusleden’s 27 stages run from Hjärtum in the north, through Västerlanda, to Svartedalen in the south. It is a wilderness trail through a forest landscape rich in lakes, with purpose-built shelters and barbecue areas along the way. Unlike the pilgrim trail, this route places Västerlanda within a longer series of stages.

When planning, it helps to understand the difference between the trails: Pilgrim Västerlanda offers a clearly defined distance, with the church as its destination. The Bohusleden continues through Västerlanda towards Svartedalen, placing the area on a longer hiking route. You can therefore choose based on distance and route type.

The Svartedalen Natural Area

Svartedalen has viewpoints, swimming spots and waters suitable for canoeing, as well as good opportunities for catching game fish. The wildlife is also rich, including several owl species, wolves, hazel dormice and smooth snakes. These nature-focused activities complement the parish centre’s cultural history with another aspect of planning a trip to Västerlanda.

The Bottenstugan is located nearby, at Ålevatten in Svartedalen. It is the starting point for several hiking trails. Facilities include a car park, an information board, a toilet and three shelters with barbecue areas.

Discover more destinations: Västerlanda, Sotenäs, Falköping, Hålta, Strömstad, Ulricehamn, Härryda, Mölndal

For the wider travel overview: Västra Götaland.