Stunning lakeside gravel ride - 36 km
This lovely gravel loop could well become your new favourite one. It’s a decent length, has a number of good climbs and a great lunch stop where you can stretch your legs and fill up your energy levels. We hope you’re going to like it as much as we do!
Get a warm up on the way to Baldersnäs Herrgård
The start of the loop is located in Laxsjöns Camping & Friluftsgård in the southwest corner of Lake Laxsjön. You can park your car here and then hop on your bike and begin pedalling anti-clockwise around the lake. It’s a flat run to start off with so you barely have time to break into a sweat before you reach what’s probably the main attraction along the route, Baldersnäs Herrgård, after six kilometres.
Even if it’s perhaps a bit early for a leg stretch we still recommend you get off your bike and enjoy this lovely manor and park for a bit. It really is a gorgeous place! Lunch and coffee are available if you’re feeling peckish.
Top tip! Did you know that Baldersnäs Herrgård has cycle friendly accommodation? You can clean and service your bike, and keep it in a secure location overnight while you soothe your tired muscles in the jacuzzi or sauna. Not a bad idea at all if you ask us, but now back to the cycle ride.
An unbroken stretch of gravel roads with minimal traffic
Soon after you’ve left Baldersnäs behind you you’ll head north, with an almost 9 kilometre stretch of just gravel roads with minimal car traffic ahead of you. You’re surrounded by forest almost the whole time, now and again the vista opens up and Lake Laxsjön appears between the trees. This is gravel cycling at its very finest!
A stretch on asphalt into the town of Skåpafors then follows, before heading to Bengtsfors where the longest climb on the circuit awaits. Luckily you can top up your energy levels in Bengtsfors.
Follow the Dalsland Canal back
The final just short of ten kilometres is alongside the Dalslands kanal, where you’ll be able to watch the boats travelling through the locks. If you’re lucky you’ll get to see one going through the 18th lock north of Billingsfors, one of the prettiest along the canal.
What’s the best way to end a cycle ride? With a refreshing dip of course. There’s a jetty to swim from in Laxsjöns Camping.
See the route on Ride with GPS
Pictures from the area
Baldersnäs Herrgård.
Baldersnäs Herrgård.
Laxsjöns Camping & Friluftsgård.
Bengtsfors.
Gravel cycling in Dalsland
You’ll find all you need to know here about gravel cycling in Dalsland, everything from great route suggestions to cycle friendly accommodation.
