Kinnekulle

Kinnekulle (306m/1,004ft) is a tabular hill (14km/8.5mi long by 6km/4mi wide) covered with fir forests, of a type very characteristic of Västergötland. From the top of the hill there are extensive views of Lake Vänern. The hills in this area came into being some 500 million years ago, when the ancient rocks (gneiss) sank under the sea. For millions of years sand, soil and remains of algae, insects, crustaceans and fish were deposited on the sea floor and in course of time turned into stone. Streams of lava later thrust up through clefts in the rock, enclosing certain areas; then, when the land gradually re-emerged from the sea, the more exposed strata were eroded away, while those protected by the lava remained. The result of this development can be seen on Kinnekulle, with its series of "steps" showing the succession of strata from the ancient rocks upward and throwing important light on the geological history of the region.