About half of Härryda Municipality is covered by forest and wilderness, and more than 100 lakes further shape the landscape. There is much to discover among protected areas, trails and historic sites—not only in buildings, but also in traces of earlier land use that are still visible in the landscape today.
Lakes, Protected Areas and Special Habitats
Rådasjön Nature Reserve includes the lake and surrounding land, with broadleaf forests, riverside woodland and open pastures. The lake is important, among other things, as a wintering site for ducks and whooper swans. Swimming, recreational and sport fishing, rowing and sailing are all possible there. If you are planning a longer walk, Rådasjön runt is a marked, 12-kilometre circular trail around the lake that starts at Råda Säteri.
At Härskogen Nature Reserve, you can hike, swim, camp, ice-skate and ski. Several hiking trails and two illuminated tracks start at the central car park; there are also shelters, fire pits and a toilet at the car park. In Bråtaskogen, you can choose between two marked trails: the blue trail is about two kilometres long and passes a barbecue area, while the red trail is four kilometres long and leads to a rest area in the forest east of the meadow. Trails in the area also pass small waterfalls and the remains of old mills along Bråtabäcken and Hålsjöbäcken.
The Hårssjön-Rambo mosse protected area comprises a mix of broadleaf forest, riverside and swamp woodland, and marshes. Hårssjön is important for numerous breeding and migrating bird species; birdwatching is one of the possible activities, alongside hiking, orienteering, horseback riding and cycling. The Bohusleden passes through the northwestern part of the area. Local trails connect it in the southeast to Lahall and to a path around Finnsjön. The Storån valley is also of national interest for nature conservation and cultural landscape preservation. Storån provides a habitat for Lygnern trout, freshwater pearl mussels, eels and brook lampreys; clearance cairns, stone walls and livestock tracks also recall an old cultural landscape.
Trails and Activities with Different Focuses
Vildmarksleden is a 42-kilometre hiking trail between Hindås railway station and Skatås motionscentral in Gothenburg; along the way, it passes several lakes. In the village of Härryda, it crosses Härsjödammsvägen before Stora Härsjön. Bus 611 runs from Landvetter Resecentrum to the Härryda kyrka stop; from there, a three-kilometre walk leads to the trail. Check the timetable before you travel.
Cycling routes also include sections of varying lengths and routes through different localities: the Västgötaleden section through Härryda is about 19 kilometres long and passes through Rävlanda and Hindås. The approximately 12-kilometre section of Turiststråket runs via Råda towards Delsjön Nature Reserve. Those interested in mountain biking can visit Vargkullen Mountain Bike Park, which has a pump track, a jump area and a drop area, several singletrack loops, and a balance and skills area.
The nature trail at Wendelsberg offers a different experience: its two circular routes are 500 and 300 metres long. Signposts, information boards, children's drawings and two wooden sculptures give the short loops their own character. The approximately 60-hectare Wendelsberg nature, culture and recreation area also offers opportunities for walking, exercising, playing disc golf and barbecuing.
Cultural History in the Landscape and Local Communities
Råda Säteri combines a distinctive historic building with the natural surroundings of Rådasjön. The present main building was constructed in 1772; Råda Säteri was designated a historic building in 1969 and is subject to special protection regulations. You can stroll through the garden and explore the surrounding nature reserve, swim or have a picnic. Råda Säteri is accessible by bus, bicycle or on foot and has ample parking. To reach Rådasjön runt, take bus X4 from Gothenburg towards Mölnlycke to the Råda portar stop; from there, the property is a one-kilometre walk. Check current services before setting off.
At Danseredsbron in Härryda, history becomes part of the journey: the stone arch bridge leads to Danseredsliden, an old road section where the route and construction of roads from the pre-automobile era are clearly visible. In Hindås, the ski jumps dating from the early 20th century are part of the sporting history of Härryda and Gothenburg; because of their great cultural and historical value, they are designated historic buildings. In Mölnlycke, Mölnlycke fabriker tells the story of a different kind of development: the textile mill was founded by the Hennig-Wendel family beside a waterfall in 1849 and helped create a thriving industrial community.
The churches also preserve different layers of history. The nave walls of Landvetters kyrka largely date from the 14th century; its pulpit includes original parts from 1685, and its soapstone baptismal font dates from the late 13th century. Råda kyrka in Mölnlycke is an 18th-century wooden church built in 1712, with its ceiling paintings preserved.
Discover more destinations: Hindås, Hällingsjö, Härryda, Mölnlycke, Rävlanda, Landvetter, Mariestad, Sunnersberg.
Back to the main travel overview: Västra Götaland.
