Skara Sommarland is located in Axvall; just south of the town is Vingängen Nature Reserve, close to the settlement. There is also a swimming area at Lake Vingsjön and historical traces around Axvalla Hus. Axvall therefore offers a range of options for planning your visit: nature, water, history and a local attraction of its own.
Nature and paths
Vingängen is characterised by a pastoral landscape dominated by oaks and birches, where cattle and horses graze. Parts of the nature reserve belong to the European Union’s Natura 2000 network of protected areas. If you would like to include nature in your stay, you will find a distinctive landscape just south of Axvall.
The paths available may also be a factor when choosing a nature destination: there are no marked paths in Skålltorp Nature Reserve, about 2 km north of Axvall. Bear this difference in mind when planning your activities.
Axvalla Hus: castle ruins and history
Axvalla Hus was first mentioned in 1315 and was once one of Sweden’s most important and strongest castles. The ruins feature prominent high ramparts and a moat. A marked footpath leads from the Pansarmuseet to the Axvalla Hus complex. In summer, cows and bulls graze in the surrounding area; follow the marked path there.
Traces of the castle complex can also be found in Lake Husgärdessjön: in favourable light, submerged wooden stakes are visible a few metres from the shore. They are remnants of a defensive barrier intended to protect Axvalla Hus from attackers approaching from the lake. The ramparts and moat at the ruins, and the stakes in the lake, offer different insights into the former fortifications.
Walks, swimming area and cycling route
Hälsans Axvall is a marked walking route through the centre of Axvall. It passes Vingängen Nature Reserve and Lake Vingsjön. There is also a swimming area at Lake Vingsjön in Axvall. Parking is available at the community centre; from there, it is about 100 metres to the swimming area.
Another way to explore the landscape along a route is the Varnhem–Axvall cycling tour. It passes through a cultural landscape and offers the opportunity to take a detour to Axvalla Hed in Axvall. The area was once a large military training ground.
More reasons to visit and planning
Axevalla Travbana is just outside Skara. The StoChampionatshelgen is held there every year over three days on the third weekend of July. The exact dates vary from year to year; check them if the event is the reason for your trip.
Axevalla Travskola offers courses for children, young people and adults. It also offers further training to deepen knowledge of horses and to obtain a licence. Courses and dates may change; check the latest information before making plans based on them.
When choosing a hotel, it helps to start with the specific reason for your visit as a way to narrow down the location: Skara Sommarland is in Axvall, while Axevalla Travbana is just outside Skara. So, if an event at the racecourse is the main reason for your stay, base your search on the venue and the changing event dates.
Discover more destinations: Skara.
Go to the main travel overview: Skara.
