The Table Mountains

The tableland mountains of Halle-and Hunneberg, at the southern tip of Lake Vänern, are among the most popular tourist destinations in the province of Västra Götaland. The mountains are made up of different kinds of rocks which are layered like a cake. At the bottom, there is a slab of gneiss, followed by a layer of sandstone and alum shale, and on top there is a layer of thick, black and hard diabase. The hard diabase protects the lower softer layers of rocks from crumbling away. It is the diabase that gives the mountains their characteristic precipices that one can see from the flat lands and the lake.

The mountains are probably best known for their elks. The chances of seeing elks are good and are what attract large numbers of visitors to come to the mountains. However, these days the elk stock on the mountains is as small as in other places.

The bird life on the mountains is very rich. Along the precipices visitors have the opportunity to see peregrines and fish hawks fly by. Other interesting birds visitors have a chance to encounter are eagle owls, nutcrackers, and black woodpeckers. Mammals that can be found are elks, deer, red deer, foxes, martens, and badgers.

Several road and trail systems make for easy access to the mountains. Many of the trails will take the visitor to outlooks with breathtaking views, such as Hallesnipen or Flo Klev. The waterfalls at the outflow of Eldmörjan are impressive, especially during spring and autumn. The Royal Hunt Museum Älgens Berg (Elk Hill) is also a great attraction. Angling is a popular pastime in the lakes that the public is allowed to use for this purpose.