Mårdaklev offers tangible points of interest for a stay that combines cultural history and landscape: a church on a hill sloping down toward the Ätran, trails with different markings, and historical traces at a former national border. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the different highlights—from church art and local history to pilgrim and nature trails.
Church, Art and Local History
There has been a church at the site of Mårdaklevs kyrka for at least 800 years. The present church was completed in 1875–1876. The altarpiece is a tangible example of art history: Sven Nilsson Morin carved it in 1804. The long history of the church site and the dates of the present building refer to different periods. A virtual tour is also available to give you a digital impression of the church interior.
The history of the surrounding area can also be traced through named places and dates. The Swedish-Danish national border ran south of Mårdaklev until the Peace of Brömsebro in 1645. Mårdaklevs skansar are fortifications built to control a historic road. The border history and the fortifications highlight different aspects: the former border route in one case, and control of a road in the other.
Pilgrim Trail and Routes Through the Landscape
The 49-kilometer Pilgrimsleden Kindaholm connects the churches in Kalv, Håcksvik, Östra Frölunda and Mårdaklev. Kindaholmsturen offers a different connection to Mårdaklevs kyrka: its final section runs from the church along the Ätran through a varied natural and cultural landscape to Östra Frölunda. On the way to the church, Kindaholmsturen follows a road for about four kilometers, surrounded by marshes and wetlands. The 49 kilometers refer to Pilgrimsleden; the approximately four kilometers refer to the road section of Kindaholmsturen on the way to the church. The figures therefore differ both in which trail they describe and in the distance covered.
Nearby Naturstigen Klevaberg complements these routes with marked trails: it includes one blue-marked and one red-marked trail, with information boards. The blue-marked Klevaberg trail offers views over Ätradalen. These details can help you compare the options: a pilgrim trail connecting several church locations, sections along the river or road, and the two marked trails at Klevaberg.
Klevaberg, Local Heritage and Disc Golf
Nature and local history are also part of Mårdaklev. The grounds of Mårdaklevs Hembygdsförening are part of Klev Nature Reserve, which also includes Naturstigen Klevaberg. Mårdaklevs Hembygdsgård dates back to the 18th century. These two facts offer different points of interest: Hembygdsgård as a subject of local history, and the association's grounds in connection with the reserve.
If you are looking for a different activity in addition to marked trails, Mårdaklev Discgolfpark offers another option. It has two different layouts.
Local Dining and Getting Your Bearings
Klevs Gästgiveri, near Mårdaklev, dates back to the 1650s and offers a café and culinary experiences. The Klev bus stop is located directly outside the Gästgiveri. This is a useful landmark for finding your way around; however, no bus times or connections are provided for planning a journey by bus.
The old Lanthandeln is next to the Gästgiveri. Among other things, it sells old-fashioned sweets, including in cone-shaped paper bags. The Lanthandeln's opening hours may vary seasonally. As the café's offerings may also change, check the current offerings and opening hours before visiting.
You can choose your focus based on your interests: the church and fortifications lead into the area's history, Pilgrimsleden connects several church locations, and the trails at Klevaberg offer marked routes and views. The Gästgiveri adds a café and culinary experiences to the mix; Lanthandeln is another local stop, whose seasonal opening hours you should bear in mind when planning.
Discover more destinations: Holsljunga, Mjöbäck, Östra Frölunda, Håcksvik, Sexdrega, Överlida, Svenljunga, Kalv.
Back to the main travel guide: Svenljunga.
