The history of the mountains
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Welcome to Halle- & Hunneberg
Halleberg and Hunneberg are two of Västergötland’s unique table mountains. Two islands rising on from the plains. They stand out from the typical landscape with their fascinating history and distinctive nature. Imagine the mountains as a layered cake of different rock, created at the bottom of the sea hundreds of millions years ago.
600 million years ago, Västergötland lay hidden beneath the sea somewhere near Antarctica. 100 million years later, the land emerged in tropical waters, where clay and dead organisms formed alum shale. As the land moved north again, hundreds of millions years later, the Earth’s crust cracked, allowing magma to rise and form what are now the Västgöta Mountains. Many years of ice ages and erosion have since shaped the mountains, giving them their unique shape.
Today, the mountains are not only a fantastic nature site but a perfect destination for the whole family. Here, you can enjoy glamping, hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, and even go on a beaver safari. Yet, the mountains offer more than just unique nature; they’re also rich with cultural history.
For thousands of years, people have lived and worked here, using the forest for hunting and grazing. It was once believed that Valhalla in Norse mythology existed at Halleberg, and the mountain also houses Scandinavia’s oldest hill fort.
Throughout the mountains, remnants of old fortifications and cultural artifacts from ancient times can be found. As early as 1351, King Magnus Eriksson declared the mountains a “royal park”, and to this day, it remains a popular area for royal moose hunting.
Thanks to enthusiastic volunteers, many historical treasures on the mountains have been preserved, such as the old charcoal kiln in Erdalen and a replica of a water-powered mill from the 12th century in Prästeklevsbacken. Old cottage landscapes have been restored, and forest areas have been allowed to grow freely, creating a unique natural experience for the whole family.
Come and experience the magic of Halle and Hunneberg yourself!
You can see Lake Vänern from the hills. At the top of Hallesnipen, you'll find Predikstolen, offering breathtaking views and a panorama of Sweden's largest lake.
Several locations on Halle- and Hunneberg feature cavities in the mountains. These are remnants of old limestone caves from the 1700s, where both limestone and slate were extracted. There are also remains of lime kilns and piles of burnt alum shale on the mountains. Explore the caves from the outside, as there is a significant risk of collapse.
Both Halleberg and Hunneberg consist of sandstone, alum shale, and diabase. It is the diabase cliffs that give the mountains their unique appearance. If you get tired of the vast views from the top of the mountains, it's just as beautiful to look up at the cliffs.
Det 36 meter höga Skäktefallet, även kallat Brudslöjan, breder ut sig vid foten av Halleberg. Du når fallet både uppifrån och nedifrån via vandringsleder. Bara några kilometer bort ligger också det 25 meter höga Byklevsfallet, med stigar på vardera sida om fallet.
