Ålleberg is the highest of Västra Götaland’s plateau mountains, at approximately 335 metres above sea level. It forms part of Platåbergens Geopark, which is Sweden’s first UNESCO Global Geopark. You can hike through the picturesque landscape here, most of which is a nature reserve. Experience the distinctive flora, local springs and viewpoints offering spectacular vistas of the surrounding countryside.
On Ålleberg plateau mountain there are three hiking trails which are 1.3 km, 1.9 km and one of 4.7 km. Two of them begin by the café and one of them goes from the rest area at the foot of Ålleberg mountain. They have varied terrain with hilly and steep parts. On parts of the mountain there are grazing animals at certain times of the year, generally this is from May to October. Dogs should not be allowed in grazing pastures! (There are no grazing animals on the red trail).
There are numerous legends linked to the mountain and you’ll get to discover some of them on this walk, including the tale of the Knights of Ålleberg. On the mountain plateau, you will also find Sweden’s only gliding museum, a seasonal café, a restaurant and a campsite.
The gliding school at Ålleberg opened in summer 1941. The purchase of the land and construction of the hangar and restaurant (still standing today) was funded by a national fundraising campaign, with the then king and crown prince being the first contributors. In the 1940s, Ålleberg was the stronghold of Swedish gliding. The school trained everyone from complete novices to instructors, and competitions were also held here.
The first Swedish Championships in gliding were held at Ålleberg in 1944. The launching methods involved rubber cables and a winch. From the 1960s, Ålleberg became too small for competitions and the course activities focused on training of gliding instructors and glider engineers. These courses are still based at Ålleberg.
Segelflygförbundet (the Swedish Gliding Association) has its office at Ålleberg and courses are also conducted here in collaboration with several other organisations, e.g. FVRF (Swedish Air Force Volunteers). Every summer, around 300 people take part in a variety of courses and events at Ålleberg. Activities on site also include hang-gliding, paragliding and model aircraft flying. Ålleberg remains a thriving hub for aerial sports.