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.
One of Sweden’s most impressive ancient artefacts was found right here at the foot of the mountain. The gold collar from Ålleberg is a three-tier, ornately decorated gold collar dating from the late Iron Age (400-550 AD). This find was unearthed in 1827 when two men, Lars Helgesson and Gustaf Sandsjö from Karleby, were looking for stone slabs for a baking oven.
The collar weighs 620 grams and is made up of three gold tubes with a myriad of intertwining patterns and figures. These are people or gods, faces or masks, and a variety of animal figures. Some of the creatures depicted are from reality, while others are imaginary from the world of sagas and fairytales, such as dragons. Many of the figures can be linked to tales of Nordic mythology. Who do you think may have worn the collar?
A replica of the gold collar is on display at Falbygdens Museum in Falköping. The original can be seen at the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm. Another two collars of the same type have been found in Sweden.