On a steep rock face at Stugåsberget are a three-metre-long ship depiction and a chariot figure, both rock carvings. Alongside hiking trails and forest landscapes, Ale is home to traces like these, as well as places where traditional crafts and a long history of settlement come to life. You may be interested in a trail, an archaeological site or birdlife—and discover different sides of the destination along the way.
Hiking through forests and lakes
The Alvhemsstigen is three kilometres long and passes through an oak forest that was once farmland. Archaeological remains along the trail point to a long history of settlement. Trail conditions are also important when planning your visit: most of the path is easy to walk, but it has short, steep sections and is not suitable for wheelchairs or walking frames. Several hiking and pilgrimage trails also run through Ale in the wider visitor area around the Göta älv.
The three Kvarnsjöarna offer a different kind of landscape. They lie in a row, surrounded by slopes, steep drops and boulders. Old spruce and pine trees grow in the area, along with some rare wetland plants. The lakes and their rocky surroundings are therefore quite different from the oak forest along the Alvhemsstigen, which grows on former farmland.
Natural areas and birdwatching
The Verleskogen Nature Reserve covers just over 80 hectares. Its gently rolling landscape consists of rocky areas and marshes, and a well-marked circular trail starts at the car park. More than 50 bird species have been recorded in the reserve. At Stora Viken, the birdwatching tower offers views over the waterside meadows along the Göta älv. More than 150 bird species have been recorded along the river. These figures refer to different areas: the nature reserve and the river.
Fågeldammarna lies on the ridge above Surte, right on the edge of Vättlefjäll. Paths with information boards lead around the ponds. Wild birds rest there during spring and autumn migration. Several natural features can be explored side by side: the rocky areas and marshes of Verleskogen, the river views at Stora Viken and the ponds where migratory birds stop to rest.
Archaeological traces and cultural landscapes
The Skepplanda burial ground contains more than 60 graves from the Late Iron Age. At Prästalund, nine circular stone settings and five stone circles are part of a grazed oak landscape from the Iron Age cultural landscape. Cattle grazing keeps the area’s open habitats clear, allowing old meadow plants to thrive. The site also includes a local heritage museum with around ten old buildings.
You can find another preserved hay meadow at Björkärrs äng, where it is still mown with a scythe to preserve its flora. Kilanda has a church of medieval origin; the Kilanda estate dates back to the 15th century. Its avenue of trees has been there since the 18th century. The site has therefore been assigned the highest natural value classification.
Ale Vikingagård is a reconstructed Viking Age farmstead with a large longhouse. The grounds are open to the public for walks and visits. The longhouse remains closed when no association member is on site. In Älvängen, the Repslagarmuseet preserves a fully intact ropewalk with two still-working rope-making machines from the 1920s. Rope-making takes place whenever the museum is open. You can reach Älvängen station by train and the Älvängen travel centre by bus.
More outdoor activities
The Ale 90 IK association has built a 2.3-kilometre mountain bike trail near Furustugan in Alafors. There are four municipal swimming areas: Vimmersjön, Hålsjön, Surtesjön and Hultasjön. They are maintained and cleaned throughout the swimming season. The fishing permit area stretches from Gothenburg to Jordfallsbron in Bohus; permits are required for fishing.
Discover more destinations: Skepplanda, Älvängen, Surte, Nol, Ale, Verle, Hjo, Härryda.
For the overview of the wider region: Västra Götaland.
