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 most interesting flora and vegetation on Ålleberg can be found on the plateau and the rich slopes of deciduous woodland around the mountain. The plateau of the mountain has been grazed and mown for many hundreds of years and has not been forested like the other plateau mountains. Part of the plateau has been cultivated, but large expanses have been subject to a long-term, continuous process of grazing and haymaking. The most interesting plants are to be found on the heathland and hay meadows around the airfield. This includes plants such as cat’s foot, arnica, greater butterfly orchid, field gentian, common moonwort, common milkwort, spotted cat’s ear, viper’s grass and wild thyme. On the edge of Västhanget, which is richer in lime, you can also find bloody cranesbill, common rockrose, multiflowered buttercup, devil’s bit scabious, spiked speedwell and dropwort.
The slopes around the mountain are very rich in nutrients, with untouched slopes of deciduous woodland where yellow lady’s slipper orchid can be found, and on the hay meadows by the northern ‘brow’ the gem that is thistle broomrape can be seen, growing alongside fragrant orchid and twayblade. The grazed slopes are also home to the oldest areas of wooded pasture, with trees such as pussy willow, Swedish whitebeam and wild cherry.