The path through the Slereboån valley is largely a so-called hollow way. This ancient bridleway, which in places branches into five parallel paths, is in fact a living link to the past. Its origins trace back to a medieval transportation route, which once connected the forests of the river valley with the vast landscapes of Skarabygden.

Before 1000 AD. agricultural surpluses emerged on the fertile lands in the heart of Västergötland. This surplus opened the door to trade exchanges with Western Europe. Maritime trade along the Grönån River and cargo transportation on horses through the Slereboån valley to Gräfsnäs and on to Skara probably played a significant role in the development of international trade.

However, in the early 11th century, this trade route shifted to Lödöse, and the road between Lödöse and Skara subsequently developed into Sweden's most important trade route, according to historian Dick Harrison.

These paths were formed by the hooves of horses tearing away soil, which has then been washed away by the rainwater. These roads made particularly deep ruts in areas with sandy soil and steep slopes.

When the road's deepening became too challenging for horses carrying packs on their sides, the logical step was to create new paths alongside the existing ones. Consequently, particularly on sloping terrain, one may encounter multiple parallel dirt roads running alongside each other, like a time travel through generations of travel routes. It is a place where the footprints of history tell the story of human and landscape evolution.

Photo: Pelle Dalberg