The Pilgrim Path Falköping - Varnhem
Falköping - Hornborgasjön - Varnhem

The path from Falköping to Varnhem is 43.7 km long but can be split into three day stages. The first is from St Olof’s Church to Gudhem, approximately 13 kilometres, the second stage goes from Gudhem to the Lake Hornborga Visitor Centre over approx. 18.8 km and the last stage, which is around 11.5 km, from the Lake Hornborga Visitor Centre to Varnhem.

The whole stretch takes around 14.5 hours to walk (not including stops), and can be walked in three days. This depends of course on the individual, and what the terrain is like on the different stages.

The path is waymarked with the classic pilgrimage mark of the red St. Olof’s mark.

Overall the path is classed as easy to moderate. The terrain is relatively flat, with some steeper parts, and the walking surfaces are varied, from small forest paths and fields, to gravelled roads. Some parts are also on relatively low trafficked asphalt roads, and urban areas. In some places you will pass through fields where animals might be grazing. The path is very varied in the respective stretches, and you’ll find more detailed information about each stage below. 

• S:t Olofs Church – Gudhem Church: The first part is through streets in the town of Falköping, to then climb via larger paths up and gradually over Mösseberg hill. A couple of kilometres of winding paths is followed by the last five kilometres along a country road and then an easy walk downhill to arrive at Gudhem church.
  
  
• Gudhem Church – Lake Hornborga Visitor Centre: This stretch is characterised by flat and easy walking. The first part is along forest trails, followed by country roads, and it finishes on gently undulating paths by the shore of Lake Hornborga.
  
  
• Lake Hornborga Visitor Centre  – Varnhem: This stretch is mostly along smaller forest paths on the edge of Sydbillingen hill. The walk starts however in open fields before heading via a steep slope up the hill. The last bit is easily walked, arriving at Varnhem Abbey.

You can begin the walk in several places along the route. Falköping is a railway junction and regular buses to Varnhem leave from both Skövde and Skara.

• Stage St. Olof’s church - Gudhem (approx 13 kilometres). St. Olof’s Church is in the centre of Falköping and it’s easy to get there on public transport ( a bus stop is approx. 350 metres away and the trainstation is about 1,6 km away). There are also several car parks in Falköping.
  
  
• Stage Gudhem – Lake Hornborgasjön Visitor Centre (18.8 kilometres). If you want to start your walk near the Gudhem Abbey ruins, the Kabelstationen bus stop is right by the path and approx. 500 metres from the ruins. There’s also a car park by Gudhem Abbey.
  
  
• Stage Lake Hornborga Visitor Centre - Varnhem (11.5 kilometer). You can travel by bus to Lake Hornborga, get off at the Bolum stop, approx. 2 kilometres from the path. (This bus tour runs rarely.) Parking is also available at the Lake Hornborga Visitor Centre and Varnhem Abbey.

The Pilgrim Path Falköping - Varnhem is in West Sweden, in between Lakes Vänern and Vättern, approx. 120 kilometres from Gothenburg.  If you want to travel by train there are good services arriving at the travel centres in Falköping and Skövde. It’s around one hour by train from Gothenburg to Falköping, and 90 minutes from Gothenburg to Skövde. Find timetables on Västtrafik or SJ’s websites. If you’d rather drive there are several car parks in Falköping, and also at the start of the path, Gudhem Abbey, the Lake Hornborga Visitor Centre and Varnhem Abbey.

You’ll find a digital map of the path on Falköping council’s website. A printed guide map of the path with things to see, accommodation and places to eat can be found in Tourist Information Centres in Falköping and Skara.