Hit the road and discover some of Sweden's most impactful nature – all while peddling two wheels, of course
One thing the pandemic certainly taught us is to explore what’s close to home. We don’t always have to travel far for the best adventures. Sometimes, they're right on our doorsteps. Not only can you find great experiences at home, but sticking close by usually means more sustainable travel. One of the best eco-friendly summer adventures is cycling, and Sweden has some perfect trails to travel along.
Scandinavian summer means good weather but it's not so hot you can’t be active, making it perfect for cycling. Explore long coastlines and archipelagos, lush countryside or rugged mountain ranges. Here’s a guide to the best cycling routes in Sweden.
Kattegattleden
This is Sweden’s first national cycle trail, taking you through the south of Sweden from Helsingborg to Gothenburg. The trail follows the coast, which means you’ll never be short on options for a dip in the ocean to cool down.
The trail is divided into eight sections, taking you to local attractions and great places to eat and stay. While making your way, I highly recommend visiting the long sandy beaches of Halland and the southern parts of Gothenburg’s archipelago, offering some spectacular scenic vistas.
Find out more on kattegattleden.se
Sydostleden
The counterpart to Kattegattleden, and Sweden’s second national cycle trail, is Sydostleden. It starts on the opposite side of the country and follows the east coast. You begin in Växjö and head south through the narrow archipelago of Blekinge. Then follow the coast down Skåne through Åhus before you finally land in Simrishamn.
Significant parts of the path take you across old embankments that were closed off for a long time but have now opened up for the cycle trail. Therefore you’ll be extra close to nature and away from traffic while seeing several old station houses and bridges from the railroad.
Learn more on visitsmaland.se
Sydostleden offers quiet roads, passing several old station houses and bridges on the way. Photo: Frida Fors
Cykelvasaleden
Directly translated, the name of this bike trail reads the “Cycle Vasa Trail” – and that’s exactly what it is. While most winter sport aficionados know about the famous 90km cross country ski race, few realise that the beautiful trail between has been translated into a summer cycling route. The path offers various cycling experiences, from gravel roads to terrain trails. While technically simple, its long distance makes it the perfect day tour with visits to all the towns you’ve seen while watching Vasaloppet.
Learn more on visistdalarna.se
Cykelvasaleden takes you along the famous Vasa trail between Sälen and Mora. Photo: Getty
Mälardalsleden
Mälardalsleden is Sweden's oldest bicycle tourist trail. This 440km long trail circles Mälaren lake; therefore, there's no start and finish. Instead, you can hop on anywhere you like and make your way around. It's surrounded by forest and, in general, runs through a low-set landscape perfect for cycling.
However, 440km is a long way to go for both the amateur and the expert, meaning this route may require an overnight stay. The ride combines a great choice of accommodation and experiences – from castle stays to bike tours combined with yoga.
Learn more on swedenbybike.se
Mälarleden takes you through leafy paths and offer some great choice for accomodation .
Jämtlandstriangeln
For a more challenging cycling experience with a lot more uphill routes, head to Åre, the most popular ski resort in Sweden. From there, there is an incredible 120km trail going all the way to Storulvån mountain hut. Storulvån's mountain station is located in the middle of the Swedish mountain range where the road ends. Here, you will find convenient services such as ready-made food, a small grocery store for mountain excursions, a sauna, bicycle and ski rental, alongside a hotel with around 150 beds and a restaurant.
Learn more on jamtlandstriangeln.se