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 knights sleep in a golden hall within Ålleberg. In their shimmering gold helmets, they wait with their horses, ready to defend Falbygden against danger. In dense mist it’s said you may get to see the knights training by the light of the moon. The gateway into the mountain is rumoured to be to the north. Perhaps you can find it?
There are countless tales of the Knights of Ålleberg. They are often linked to the Battle of Åsle in 1389. This gives them a historic context. Queen Margareta’s armies were losing their battle against Albrekt of Mecklenburg. It is said that from her vantage point on Ållebergs änne she saw twelve riders wearing gold helmets enter the battle and turn defeat into victory. The Knights of Ålleberg had intervened and Albrekt of Mecklenburg saw his forces defeated. Nine years later, Queen Margareta united the Nordic countries through the Kalmar Union.
Another legend is about a farmer who was on his way to market in Falköping to sell his oats. As he passed Ållebergs änne, a man appeared and asked if he could buy his load. The farmer accompanied him into the mountain, where the knights lay sleeping. The farmer bumped into a bridle, causing it to rattle. The knights then awoke and asked “Is it time?”, but were told that they could continue sleeping in peace. The farmer exchanged his oats for gold, but once outside the mountain again he discovered that the gold had turned to sand and gravel… And when he returned home, it turned out that he had been away for several years, instead of just a few hours, as he believed.