Omberg is situated in Östergötland on the shore of Lake Vättern. This mountain is Sweden's most species-rich forest landscape, with many rare natural environments. The bold beech forest on the slope of Vättern, the giant oaks in the pasture landscape, and the colourful mowing meadows are just three examples.
A mile-long steep bank characterizes the mountain to a large extent. Visitors can enjoy the fantastic view from Hjässan—Omberg's highest point—walk among giant oaks and more than 100-year-old fir trees, or be enchanted by beautiful orchids in Omberg's limestone moors.
Nature and Geology
Both Omberg's vegetation and its animal life are as varied as its highly remarkable geological conditions. Omberg
is a so-called horst and is surrounded by faults on all sides. The mountain itself consists mainly of granite.
In the southeastern part, there is also some gneiss dating back 1.8 billion years. On the side of the mountain
facing Vättern, above all, slate and sandstone emerge, which were formed 850–600 million years ago. North of
Omberg's granite mass, near Borghamn, limestone is in an almost horizontal deposit. Limestone has been mined there
for a long time, and this is still the case today. The undisturbed layers show that the dislocations at Omberg must
be younger than the Ordovician (between 485.4 and 443.4 million years ago, between the Cambrian and Silurian).
History
The name Omberg is made up of the Old Norse "ama" (for fog, smoke) and mountain.
Its meaning is thus "mountain of fog" or a mountain surrounded by haze and fog.
The tract around Omberg has been inhabited for a long time, and the pile dwellings at Alvastra bear witness to this. Man has left many interesting traces here.
During the turbulent period of migration around 400–500 AD, three so-called hillforts were built on Omberg. The Hjässaborg in the south is the largest, with a 450 m long and 1.5 m high wall. Borggården is the best-preserved castle. It is located about 2 km north of Hjässatorget. Drottning Ommas Borg is the smallest and is located on the northwestern tip of Omberg.
In the 12th century, the Omberg district became a centre for the Sverker dynasty. At about the same time, a nobleman from Östergötland, Sverker, was elected king of Sweden. During his reign, the monastery at Alvastra was founded. The monastery was abandoned after King Gustav Vasa confiscated the properties of the church for the state. During the monastery's time, at least five farms were set up on Omberg, including Stocklycke, Elvarum, and Höje. In connection with the creation of the state enclosure, Stocklycke became the seat of the animal keepers and Höje the domicile of the inspector.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Omberg was one of Sweden's largest state enclosures, i.e., the king's private hunting grounds. These were difficult times for the local farmers. They were forced to maintain and guard the 15.6-kilometre-long fence around the enclosure so that no wolf or lynx could enter the area. At the same time, there was great poverty, and poaching was a great temptation. The punishments were harsh if one was caught: beating with the rod, imprisonment, or punishment in a fortress of the crown. The enclosure was closed in 1805. The majority of the deer were transported to Stockholm's animal park—Omberg became a Kronopark.
In the spring of 1859, a state forestry school was established in Höje, and at the same time, the use of the Omberg forest began. During the forestry school epoch, a number of exotic tree species were planted on Omberg, such as silver fir and larch, in order to increase the students' knowledge about foreign tree species. The forestry school was closed in 1935. Traditional forestry on Omberg continued until 2003, when the Ecopark was inaugurated.
An Ecopark is a larger coherent forest landscape with valuable nature and great nature conservation ambitions. With its 1,700 hectares of land, Omberg is one of Sveaskog's smaller ecoparks, but at the same time one of the most visited. Every year around 150,000 people visit the legendary mountain with its bold nature and many cultural monuments.
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1. Ecopark Centre Omberg
The Ecopark Centre in Stocklycke is a good starting point for a visit to the Ecopark; nature walks, hiking trails,
and guided nature and culture walks start here.
2. Stocklycke äng
Stocklycke äng is a meadow with fantastic flowers. Rockroses, common milkwort (Swed. jungfrulin), and primroses
grow here.
Stocklycke Youth Hostel and Café
Stocklycke Youth Hostel and Café
3. Stocklycke Youth Hostel and Café
At this place, there was originally a farm which belonged to the monastery in Alvastra. The youth hostel is
one of the oldest in Sweden and is located in the middle of the beech forest of Omberg, just a few hundred
metres from Lake Vättern. The hostel is Sweden's oldest and open all year round.
Staircase at Stocklycke Harbour
4. Stocklycke Harbour
Until the 1950s, the port was of great importance to the economy of the Omberg region. Wood from forestry on the
mountain was shipped from here to the industries on Lake Vättern. Only a short distance south of the harbor,
there is a visitor-friendly cave on the lakeshore.
5. Rödgavel's Grotto
Rödgavel's Grotto is the largest of fifteen caves on the steep bank of Vättern. Water runs through the ceiling
into the lake. Legend has it that Queen Omma mourns her injured suitor. In cold winters, the tears of Queen Omma
freeze into long icicles in the cave. The ice formations take on the shape of gnomes, trolls, and also the
medieval monks who had sought shelter in the cave. Rödgavel's Grotto extends twenty-one metres into the mountain
and has a ceiling height of 1.2 metres. It can only be reached by boat.
Beech Forest Nature Reserve
6. Beech Forest Nature Reserve
The Beech Forest Nature Reserve is a beech and noble-leaved forest on the slope to Lake Vättern. Here on Omberg,
the beech tree finds its northernmost habitat in eastern Scandinavia. The nature reserve is home to the oldest
and strongest specimens.
7. Västra Djurledet
In the first half of the 17th century, a state enclosure was built on Omberg. It was surrounded by a
21-kilometre-long and about four-metre-high gärdesgård, which was maintained by local farmers. Names such
as Södra and Västra Djurledet (southern and western animal path) and Brottsledet (stone quarry path) are remnants
of this period and refer to openings in the fence.
8. Ellen Key's villa Strand
Ellen Key's villa Strand is located in an inviting spot on Vättern, surrounded by beech forest. This is where the
writer Ellen Key (1849-1926) lived during the last period of her life. The house was a meeting place for important
artists and writers of the time. Guided tours take place here from May to September.
Guided tours
for individual visitors, max 20 persons/guided tour.
Pre-booking required.
For pre-booked groups, special times apply.
1 May: 11:00 and 14:00.
3–11 May: Saturday–Sunday 11:00 and 14:00.
15 May–30 June: Tuesday–Sunday 11:00 and 14:00.
1 July–14 August: Tuesday–Sunday 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00.
15 August–31 August: Tuesday–Sunday 11:00 and 14:00.
1–30 September: Saturday–Sunday 11:00 and 14:00.
Prices for guided tours:
Adults 150 SEK
Youth 7–15 years 30 SEK
Children 0–6 years free
Heritage Card (Kulturarvskort) 75 SEK.
Contact
Alvastra, 599 93 Ödeshög
+46-144-330 30 (Telephone hours 1 May – 30 September:
Tuesday-Sunday 9:00-10:00)
Ellen Key's Strand
9. Sverkersgården
Sverkersgården is a medieval remnant from the time of King Sverker and the powerful Sverker dynasty that ruled
Sweden in the 12th century. At this place are the remains of a crypt church. However, the site was used long
before Sverker's time.
10. Sverkerkapellet
The Sverker Chapel was uncovered during excavations in 1917–1919. At the time, it was thought to be the burial
chapel of the Sverker royal family. However, finds from modern times suggest that the building was an economic
facility (grange) of the nearby Cistercian monastery in Alvastra, which must also be seen in connection with
the monastic facilities in the Ålebäcken valley.
Dog walk at the mouth of the Ålebäcken stream
11. Ålebäcken / Alvastra kvarn
The Ålebäcken is one of the two outflows of Tåkern. The monks had built a dam, a horizontal water mill, and a
brickworks here in the valley near where it flows into Vättern. There was also a pier for shipping directly at
the outlet into Vättern. Is this where the limestone that was quarried in Borghamn, and from which the monastery
was built, was landed?
Sverkerstenen
12. Sverkerstenen
In the 12th century, Alvastra was associated with the history of the Sverker dynasty.
This was the ancestral home of the royal family, and it was here that Sverker the Elder fell at the hands of a
murderer (probably his stable boy, instigated by the Danish heir to the throne) in 1156 on his way to the Christmas
service in the church of Västra Tollstad. He was subsequently buried in Alvastra Monastery.
The stone commemorates this.
Ombergs Turisthotell
Ombergs Turisthotell
Ombergs Turisthotell ca. 1900. Photo: Lars Fredrik Lovén / Östergötlands Museum.
Ombergs Turisthotell
Ombergs Turisthotell
13. Ombergs Turisthotell
After the opening of the Vadstena–Ödeshög railway line in 1888, Omberg and its historic surroundings became an
easily accessible destination. There was a demand for food and accommodation for travelers, and in 1893 the tourist
hotel was opened. The picture above shows the facility as it looked at the turn of the century with an extension
from 1897 in the east. It was the Omberg–Vadstena Tourist Association that initially ran the hotel.
In January 1912, the hotel burned down, but it was rebuilt and ready for opening in May 1914. This is how we know it today.
![Alvastra monastery ruins. From Ödeshög's local history book]](../bilder/omberg/öh_-_alvastra_klosterruin_0_-_360x257.jpg "Alvastra monastery ruins. From Ödeshög's local history book]")
Alvastra monastery ruins. From Ödeshög's local history book]
14. Alvastra Monastery ruins
The monastery of Alvastra was founded in 1143 by French Cistercian monks. Saint Birgitta received her most
important revelations here. During and as a result of the Reformation in the 16th century, the monastery was
dissolved after King Gustav Vasa confiscated the properties of the church. The stones of the buildings were taken
away and reused for the construction of the castle in Vadstena and Per Brahe's buildings at Lake Vättern.
The Alvastra monastery became a ruin.
15. The ‘Emerge’ wind shelter
On the southern slope of Omberg, the ‘Emerge’ wind shelter stands out as a striking visual feature. Inside the
shelter, all attention is drawn to the beautiful view over the Ödeshög plain. It is a truly lovely spot and well
worth a visit. Feel free to bring something to barbecue at the lovely rest area just above the wind shelter.
The wind shelter is an ARKNAT project carried out by architecture students from a number of European schools.
16. Pile dwellings
The pile dwellings of Alvastra are Sweden's only pile dwellings from the late Stone Age and are one of the oldest
prehistoric sites, dating back to about 3,100 years B.C. The pile dwellings are interpreted as
a central place of ritual importance with a relatively short useful life. Nowadays, there is not much to see above
ground, but there are signs describing the complex.
17. Södra Djurledet
Here at Södra Djurledet was one of the five gates that allowed access to the state enclosure.
![Pentecostal excursion to Hjässatorget. [From Ödeshög's local history book]](../bilder/omberg/öh_-_pa_vag_till_hjassatorget_360x232.jpg "Pentecostal excursion to Hjässatorget. [From Ödeshög's local history book]")
Pentecostal excursion to Hjässatorget. [From Ödeshög's local history book]
Observation tower on Hjässan. Photo: Jim Löfgren
18. Hjässan and Hjässaborgen
Hjässan, the highest point of Omberg at a height of 263 metres, is one of the most popular excursion
destinations on Omberg. It offers an excellent view over Vättern, Tåkern, and the Östergötland plain. On the
mountain, there are remains of Hjässaborgen, the largest of Omberg's three hill forts, with a massive
450-metre-long stone wall which originally could have been several metres high.
On the way to Sweden's tallest fir tree
19. Sweden's tallest tree
Sweden's tallest tree is a silver fir. It is 49.5 m high (measured in 2016) and has a circumference of 3.30 m at
the base. The fir tree was planted by Omberg's Forestry School (1859–1935) only a stone's throw away from the school.
20. Former forestry school
The former forestry school on Omberg (1859–1934). The forestry school was founded in 1859 by the Swedish Forestry
Commission to train forest guards on behalf of the state. The training lasted one year. The school was closed in
1934. During the existence of the forestry school, numerous experimental plantings of imported tree species were
made on Omberg.
21. Höje Lilläng
The best meadow flora of Omberg can be found on Höje Lilläng. Together with the provincial government of
Östergötland, Sveaskog restores the former meadows through traditional mowing and grazing.
22. Mörkahålkärret nature reserve
Mörkahålkärret nature reserve consists of a lime moor with several different kinds of orchids, such as fly
orchids and marsh orchids, as well as many other plants that like calcareous soil.
23. Oxbåset
The steep slope, which is well worth seeing, drops down almost vertically into Lake Vättern. Along a deep gorge,
it is possible to descend to the lake. Limescale deposits create a mosaic-like pattern on the slope.
Per's stone
24. Per's stone
The giant Per from Tiveden has left his trail here in the form of a boulder, Pers Sten, at a curve of the Lake
Road. Per threw the stone across Lake Vättern in order to destroy the church bells in Heda, whose ringing bothered
him.
25. Norra Sjövägen (Northern Lake Road)
The Norra Sjövägen begins in Stocklycke and runs as a one-way road to Borghamn.
From it, you can enjoy overwhelming views.
Trail at Borggården
26. Borggården
The best-preserved of Omberg's three hill forts is located in a secluded location about two kilometers north
of Hjässatorget. The fort itself is relatively small and lies on a ledge facing east.
There is no scheduled service to Omberg. But through Östgötatrafiken you can book journeys between Vadstena and northern Omberg as well as between Ödeshög and southern Omberg. Read more on Östgötatrafiken - Närtrafik (In Swedish only; use translation function of your browser for information in English).
27. Älvarums udde
Älvarums udde is a beautiful place at Lake Vättern with a barbecue site, wind shelter, and swimming and fishing
opportunities.
28. Storpissan Nature reserve
The Storpissan Nature reserve is a forest rich in fir trees with many old trees. The forest has much deadwood
and many stumps in different stages of decay, attracting a number of insects, lichens, and birds. In spring,
Storpissan's outflow into Lake Vättern forms a powerful stream.
View from Makersbergen over Dags Mosse
29. Dags Mosse
The extensive moor between Tåkern and Omberg was originally a bay of Lake Tåkern. Peat is extracted here in an
ecological way. The moor is drained to the south through the Ålbäcken, which flows into the Vättern.
30. Makersbergen
Makersbergen has a nice view of Dags Mosse, Tåkern, and the plains. There is a shelter with a fireplace outside
the pasture.
31. Ombergs Kafferosteri
A small, newly opened coffee roastery with a café and sourdough bakery. Racket sports, SUP. Omberg, Ramsborg near
Dags Mosse.
Renstadsfällan
32. Renstadfällan
Renstadfällan is a flowery natural pasture landscape where primroses bloom in summer.
33. Ragels kärr
Ragels kärr (bog) is the headwaters of the Storpissan brook, which flows into Lake Vättern in Älvarum Bay.
View from Marbergen
34. Marbergen
Marbergen offers a beautiful view over the surroundings, for example, the nature reserve of Storpissan.
35. Omberg's giant oaks
The giant oaks on Omberg are in an area of sixteen hectares. About forty trees are several hundred years old.
By keeping the area open and with the help of grazing animals, Sveaskog restores the pasture landscape that
existed 150 years ago. There are numerous unusual insects living in the trees, including the rare hermit beetle.
Omberg's oldest oak
36. Omberg's oldest oak
Below Sjövägen you can see an oak tree, which began to grow in 1374. It was the same year that St. Birgitta's
remains were sent back to Vadstena from Rome (she had died in Rome the year before).
37. Hälle källor (Springs of Hälle)
The springs of Hälle on Omberg were probably already used as a ritual site in pre-Christian times and experienced
a documented heyday in the 19th century. Nowadays, they are mainly used as a watering hole for thirsty hikers.
Above the springs is a little-known wind shelter with a barbecue place and a view.
38. Vitlerbäcken
The Vitlerbäcken is a lime-rich brook where a lichen inventory was carried out.
Västra väggar
39. Västra Väggar
Västra Väggar offers a fantastic view over Lake Vättern.
Forest lease farm, 1889 - Photo: Carl Curman (RAÄ)
40. Svartsvall
Forest lease farm (237 metres above sea level) dating from the 1850s. Belonged to Hovgården and was sold to the
state in 1867. Located in the centre of northern Omberg between Ombergsliden and Västra Väggar.
41. Hålmossen Nature reserve
On the eastern slope of Omberg, there is a pearl of calcareous bogs and calcareous wetlands with a very rich flora
and snail fauna. Here, moving groundwater gushes forth in springs. A couple of these bogs are part of the Hålmossen
nature reserve.
Borghamn Strand
Open for overnight stays from spring to autumn. Café and restaurant open 11–17 every day in summer, weekends in
autumn and spring. +46-143-10 999.
Gyllenhammars Restaurant
An experience for all the senses. Open from Easter to autumn. Daily except Tuesdays in summer, weekends
(Fridays, Saturdays) in spring and autumn. +46-143-200 02.
Kafé på Skedet
Kafé på Skedet is a popular summer café, famous for its pastries and bread, pub afternoons, the so-called
"middagsklubben", music entertainment and art exhibitions. Café open Thursday–Sunday 11–17, pub Friday 17–22.
+46-73-702 2097.
Ombergs Kafferosteri
A small, newly opened coffee roastery with a café and sourdough bakery. Racket sports, SUP. Omberg, Ramsborg
(near Dags Mosse).
Open Saturdays and Sundays. +46-70-288 67 05
.
Omberg Tourist Hotel
Hotel and Restaurant. Open all year round.
+46-144-330 02.
Stocklycke Youth Hostel and Café
In the centre of the Omberg ecopark with hiking trails on the doorstep. Open for overnight stays all year round.
The café is open weekends in spring and autumn, daily in summer.
+46-76-145 04 08
Ödeshög Youth Hostel
Open 1 May – 15 September. Book via
+46-144-107 00,
or Youth Hostel Manager Eva Gustafsson +46-72-544 7166.
42. Ostmossen nature reserve
The nature reserve consists of a mosaic of different natural forms such as lime moor, wet meadows, dry limestone
meadows, open pastures as well as deciduous and coniferous forests, often with a marshy character. The flora is
rich. About ten species of orchids can be found, as well as a lot of other plants that require a calcareous
environment. In addition, Ostmossen with the nearby Ombergsliden forms one of Sweden's most distinguished places
of residence for large butterflies. Almost 300 different species were counted here. That is one third of all
butterfly species in Sweden.
Heliga Hjärtas Kloster (Convent of the Sacred Heart)
43. Heliga Hjärtas Kloster (Convent of the Sacred Heart)
The Convent of the Sacred Heart is located on a beautiful natural slope on the Omberg hill, which was inaugurated
in 1997. Here the sisters live a monastic life according to the rules of St. Benedict with the Virgin Mary as mother
and example.
Ombergsliden
Orchid trail. Photo: Bernd Beckmann
44. Ombergsliden nature reserve
Ombergsliden is mainly known for its rich orchids. Here one encounters species such as fly orchid, spotted orchid,
broad-leaved helleborine, marsh helleborine, Listera ovata, early marsh orchid and the rarely encountered Gymnadenia
odoratissima. In the bogs of the nature reserve, which are rich in minerals, unusual snails such as the Vertigo
geyeri can be found.
45. Ombergsliden's ski slope / Mountain Lodge
Ombergsliden is a ski area on the east side of Omberg. It offers two pistes, two lifts, a toboggan run,
Big Jump and the Mountain Lodge winter café.
46. Vallgatan
Vallgatan runs east of Sjövägen from Drottning Ommas Borg to Höje. It is closed to general traffic.
47. Anudden
Anudden is a small headland with a very beautiful beach made of cobblestones.
48. Marsastenen
The Marsasten is a boulder which, according to legend, was rolled to its exposed location on Marsafällan by the
giant Mars. Not far from here, directly above Marsabäcken's waterfall and on Omberg's north-eastern fault edge,
there is an old lookout point.
The blue and yellow marked Marsafällan trail once led here from Steneborg and Vallgatan. It is now difficult to recognize in the terrain. However, a new path marked by a private initiative misses important parts of the old route.
Rödgavel's most dangerous rival was a giant from Västergötland called Ringabergsbusen. Once he came riding across the ice of Lake Vättern to court Omma, who was waiting on the mountain. As he spurred his horse to take the leap up the Rödgavel slope, the horse struck its hoof on the rock face. Both horse and rider fell back onto the ice, which broke and both drowned. Since then, Queen Omma sat on the mountain and cried. Her tears run down into Rödgavel's cave, which is why it always drips from the roof there. Where the giant's horse hit the rock wall, a ten-metre-wide mark appeared, which is now known as Rödgavel's gate.
Traces of the state enclosure
49. Brottsledet
Here at the quarry and the old road to Omberg, the northeasternmost opening was in the fence of the royal enclosure.
The gatekeepers' houses were not demolished until 1946.
Drottning Ommas Borg
50. Drottning Ommas Borg
Drottning Ommas Borg is the northernmost and smallest of the three hill forts on Omberg from the migration period
of 450–550 AD. Thanks to the steep slope to Vättern, the castle was impenetrable from the west. A double wall with
palisades provided protection on the east and northeast sides. There are many legends surrounding the castle.
Verner von Heidenstam (1849–1940) wrote the poems "Bygdeborgen" and "Borgen susar", which deal with Queen Omma.
Bockakyrkogården.
51. Bockakyrkogården
The small cemetery is idyllically situated in the middle of a grove of mighty oaks and hazel bushes under the
northern slopes of Omberg. The small hills conceal about 80 graves of men from the Crown Labour Corps, i.e.,
prisoners who worked in Borghamn's limestone quarry. They quarried stone for the fortress of Karlsborg on the
western shore of Lake Vättern. A simple wooden cross has been erected at the site: "Here, between 1860 and 1894,
around 80 men from the Crown Labour Corps were buried. They quarried stone for the Karlsborg fortress."
("Här begravdes 1860–1894 omkring 80 man ur kronoarbetskåren. De bröto stenen till Karlsborgs fästning.")
Limestone quarrying in Borghamn
52. Borghamn's limestone quarry
Limestone has been used in Sweden as building material since the beginning of the 12th century. Here in Borghamn,
the Cistercian monks began to quarry limestone for their monastery in Alvastra, which was consecrated in 1143.
Since then, the quarry has been used continuously to this day. Other important buildings using limestone from
Borghamn were the monastery church in Vadstena, the Göta Canal, Karlsborg Fortress, and the National Museum.
53. Laundry (former fishing museum)
Borghamn's fishing museum was housed in the former laundry of the Royal Labour Corps for more than three decades.
Equipment and fishing methods from Borghamn's history were on display here. The museum itself is now history.
Borghamn's harbour
Borghamn's harbour
54. Borghamn's harbour
The western part of the harbour in Borghamn was built between 1813 and 1827 by the Göta Canal Company to cope with
deliveries to the construction sites on the Göta Canal between Motala and the Baltic Sea. In the second half of the
19th century, the eastern part was added with the so-called Bondbryggan for the transport of grain to West Götaland.
Borghamn Strand
Borghamn Strand
55. Borghamn Strand
Borghamn Strand was opened in April 2019 in the old premises of the former Borghamn School and is a popular
destination for hikers and day visitors in Borghamn and on Omberg. Here you will find accommodation with hotel and
hostel standards, a harbour café, sauna, and kayak rental.
The facility was a work station under the direction of the Crown Labour Corps, after the Swedish state bought the quarry and harbour in 1842.
The entire area has been declared a listed building since 1993 (Borghamn School) and registered as a working life museum since 2023. Read more on Borghamn's listed buildings.
56. Borghamnsten AB
Borghamnsten AB is a natural stone processing company in the tradition of the historic limestone quarry at the northern
end of Omberg. The company processes limestone from Borghamn and marble from its own quarries in Brännlyckan (near
Zinkgruvan) and Ekeberg (near Glanshammar).
Kafé på Skedet
57. Kafé på Skedet
Kafé på Skedet is a popular summer café, famous for its pastries and bread, pub afternoons, so-called "middagsklubben",
music entertainment and art exhibitions. Café open Thursday–Sunday 11–17, pub Friday 17–22.
+46-73-702 2097.
Greetings from Omberg. The card shows the Borghamn Tourist Hotel (Ombergspensionatet), main building (inn), after 1900.
The older tourist hotel in Borghamn is closely associated with the arrival of the railway between Vadstena and Ödeshög, which led to a boom in tourism on Omberg. The building had previously been used by the Crown Work Corps but became redundant when Karlsborg Fortress was completed and penal labor at the local quarry began to be phased out. Here we see the hotel's main building depicted on a postcard from shortly after the turn of the last century.
The building without the verandas is now a holiday home and is part of the Borghamn (school) heritage site.
Ta del av en guidning "Sten födde Borghamn" och upttäck det gamla Borghamn. Läs mer på Kulturguidningar i Dals guidningsprogram.
You can find more postcards from Omberg on the page Greetings from Omberg.
