On Lake Vänern and Kinnekulle, Götene showcases a variety of natural landscapes: the municipality has a 50-kilometre stretch of shoreline along the lake, most of whose coastal areas remain undeveloped. Here, you can enjoy nature from the water or the land. An unusual number of natural habitat types come together on Kinnekulle, making it one of only a few places in Sweden with such diversity. Medieval church art and traces of the area’s old village history add to the picture.
Shorelines, forests and seasons
Near Götene, the Kinnekulleleden, also known as the Kinnekulle hiking trail, runs for 48 kilometres through deciduous forests, flower-rich pastures and dense spruce forest, and past rocky areas. The trail is of moderate difficulty and is suitable for three days of hiking. It connects several different landscapes, without requiring you to follow a particular itinerary.
The seasons also shape the impression of nature. In early summer, wild garlic grows abundantly in Munkängarna, its leaves giving off a strong onion scent. Martorpsfallet has its highest water flow in spring; during dry summer months, the waterfall can dry up completely. The Stora Stenbrottet, a 40-metre-deep former limestone quarry, is also near Götene. Layers of limestone containing fossils of ancient marine animals are visible there. Picnic tables, permanent barbecue areas and an outdoor toilet are also available. Check the condition of the facilities before your visit.
Churches and local history
Since it was built in the 12th century, Götene kyrka has retained much of its exterior appearance. The chancel features rib vaults and extensive 15th-century lime paintings; the Madonna in the north window and the altarpiece also date from this period. The area around the church still offers a sense of Götene’s early history as a church village and its agricultural setting. Individual buildings from the old village settlement and the route of the historic country road through the village have been preserved.
The centre is home to numerous well-preserved buildings from the first half of the 20th century. The first town plan for Götene, drawn up in 1920, still shapes large parts of the centre. The market square is home to Tina Frausin’s work “Helenas hus”: two blue houses softly illuminated in the evening and a pond clad in limestone from Kinnekulle. Götene museum offers insights into early Swedish history and the development of the municipality. Its collection includes objects from the old farming society and late-19th-century photographs by Karl Johansson, who is described locally as the founder of Götene.
Stone art and medieval buildings
Near Götene, Forshems stenmuseum preserves stone crosses, slab stones with cross motifs, portrait tombstones and lily stones made from local sandstone and limestone from Kinnekulle. The funerary art dates from the 11th century to the late 18th century. Fullösa stenmuseum has a different focus: its collection of 12th-century Romanesque stone art is displayed in the entrance hall of Fullösa kyrka.
Husaby kyrka is also nearby. Its striking three-towered structure dates from the 11th century; the church is regarded as Sweden’s first cathedral. Inside, it preserves medieval wall paintings, furnishings and other objects from the Middle Ages. The ruins of Biskopsborgen i Husaby include a tower house, a stone perimeter wall and smaller adjoining half-timbered and brick buildings.
Getting around on foot and by bike
There are different types of routes to choose from for cycling tours. Vänerleden is a national cycling route around Lake Vänern, Sweden’s largest lake; shorter bike rides are also possible. In Kinnekullebygden, an easy 33-kilometre route passes natural attractions and historic sites. Kinnekulle also has mountain bike trails in five different lengths and difficulty levels; four start at Kinnekullegården. The options range from trails for beginners to those for experienced riders. An important point when choosing a route: cycling on Kinnekulle is permitted only on the marked Kinnekulle hiking trail and on the explicitly marked cycling trails at the summit.
In town, a walking path runs from Badhusparken along the Göteneån towards Lindplanteringen and the allotment gardens, where there is a walking trail. Götene kyrka can be reached on Västtrafik bus route 106 from Lidköping to Götene; get off at the Götene Västerbyvägen stop. Check the timetable before travelling. Blomberg and Råbäck stations are directly on the Kinnekulleleden, while Trolmen is a few hundred metres away. Train services and stops may change.
Discover more destinations: Hällekis, Lundsbrunn, Götene, Källby, Tvärred, Skövde, Tidaholm, Stenungsund
For the full travel guide: Västra Götaland.
