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Four islands to discover on your next cycling holiday.

Cycle on islands in West Sweden’s archipelago

Exploring the archipelago from the bike saddle is a fantastic way to do it. Here are some tips for pretty islands to cycle, where you can enjoy stunning sea views, picturesque fishing villages and charming little towns all at the same time.

The cycle paths on the island of Tjörn provide lots of lovely shoreline views

1. Tjörn – the family friendly cycling island

Tjörn is a great island for cycling, with its scenic roads and constant proximity to dips in the sea, delicious food and art. The island’s cycle paths offer safe, exciting and varied rides on asphalt, packed gravel or other cycle friendly surfaces. 

Tjörn is always great for cycling whatever the time of year.

Stop for a fika at Lottas Bak och Form.

Nature and culture are always close by

The best thing about a bike ride on Tjörn is that you never get bored, even if you’re someone who quickly likes to move on the the next thing. The stops are all close to each other, whether you’re out for a cosy fika, an art experience, or just want to find a flat rock to rest your legs for a while.

Some places to make a note of when you plan your cycle trip:

  • Skulptur i Pilane, one of Sweden’s most spectacular sculpture parks, where all artists dream of exhibiting their work amidst grazing sheep, in stunning coastal landscapes. The park is open from late spring to late summer and is as beautiful in both seasons.
  • The Nordic Watercolour Museum, an art gallery with its foundations literally dipping in the sea. There are always exciting exhibitions to see here. Don’t forget to walk over the bridge to the little islands opposite the gallery so you can admire the view of the pretty town of Skärhamn.
  • Lottas Bak och Form, a picturesque bakery and café which is possibly in the sunniest position on Tjörn. Order whatever you want from the menu, it’s all delicious, and enjoy it by the sparkling waves breaking on the shore.
  • Salt & Sill, a hotel right on the sea, where you can pop in for a tasty lunch or stay the night.

Cycling on Tjörn

The sun is often out when you cycle the scenic Koster Islands.

2. Koster – the holiday paradise on the West Coast

The Koster Islands are to the west of Strömstad, and you can easily get to them on the Kosterbåtarna ferries. On South Koster there’s a little network of cycle friendly roads which are just about long enough to provide a nice ride round the whole island. You’ll cycle along more or less completely car free gravel roads and you can also hop off and have a stroll along one of the pretty walking trails.

It’s a great way to explore South Koster from the bike saddle.

Enjoy delicious flavours at Kläpphagen.

Lovely cycle trails with minimal traffic

If you want to avoid the crowds we recommend cycling on South Koster in late spring, when the trees are turning green and the evenings getting lighter, or towards the end of season when most of the summer guests have left the island.

 

Tips for experiences on Koster:

  • Naturum Kosterhavet, right next to Ekenäs harbour, where you can find out about life under the surface in the visitor centre, pet the starfish and join in a beach excursion.
  • Kläpphagen Koster, a unique restaurant experience where most of the menu is cooked over an open fire. In addition Kläpphagen has a cosy boutique bed & breakfast.
  • North Koster. Take the cable ferry over to the northern Koster Island. It’s best explored by foot and if you’re getting peckish you can eat at Kosterhavets Ekobod.
  • Go kayaking with Koster Adventures.
  • Enjoy the sunset from Valfjäll, South Koster’s highest point, which is more or less at the centre of the island. Park your bike at the foot and climb the steps and path leading up to the top of the hill.

Cycling on Koster

Did you know that there are some lovely cycle paths in Gothenburg’s archipelago?

3. The Öckerö islands – Gothenburg’s archipelago on two wheels

Gothenburg’s northern archipelago is just made for cycling. Dedicated cycle paths and minimal car traffic means that cycling is ideal for the whole family. Surfaces consist mostly of asphalt roads. If you want to cycle on the islands it’s easiest to use public transport to get there and hire bikes locally.

Pretty Bed & Bike Öckerö.

There’s always something tasty on the menu at Lilling Cottage.

Cycle around and enjoy great food

The municipality of Öckerö consists of lots of different sized islands, from the largest islands Öckerö and Hönö to the smallest, Knippla, Hyppeln, Hälsö, Rörö and Björkö. Needless to say the sea is never far away and it’s easy to get around between the various islands with the help of bridges and ferries.

Tips for lovely spots to visit on the Öckerö islands:

  • Hönö Klåva is a harbour town filled with restaurants and hotels. Don’t miss trendy Lilling Cottage, Tullhuset seafood restaurant, dog friendly Franses Skärgårdspub and comfy Skärgårdshotellet Hönö.
  • Nimbus Öckerö, a combined hotel and restaurant where you can also book their sauna right by the sea. Doesn’t that just sound cosy!
  • Björkö is the perfect island for anyone cycling with children. Stay for lunch at lovely Seaside Björkö.
  • Bed & Bike Öckerö does exactly what it says. You can both hire bikes and stay the night here, it could hardly be more convenient.

 

Cycling on the Öckerö islands

The Lake Vänern archipelago around Brommö has a real West Coast feel.

4. Brommö – a paradise island for cyclists

Brommö is for many a relatively unknown island, in Lake Vänern just north of Mariestad. To get to Brommö you first have to cross the bridge to the island of Torsö then hop on the Brommö ferry which gets yoú to the island in just a couple of minutes. There’s a 16 kilometre cycle path awaiting you, with many lovely stops along the way.

Pretty gravel roads to cycle on.

Don’t forget to pack your swimming gear.

You’re never far from the next swimming spot

As soon as you arrive with your bike on Brommö you’ll notice how tranquil and beautiful the island is. There are no shops, kiosks or restaurants here, so make sure you pack a picnic basket full of goodies before you set off. During late summer and autumn there are usually plenty of berries and mushrooms in the woods. As well as the cycle path there’s also a lovely walking trail on the island, and several compost toilets. 

Some of the most scenic spots on Brommö:

  • Store Vite Sand and Rövarsand, two of the island’s loveliest beaches, found on the northern coast of Brommö.
  • Rukehamn. At low tide you can park your bike there and wade over to pretty Hovden where you’ll find several lovely swimming spots.
  • Sandvik, another of Brommö’s gorgeous sandy beaches. Don’t miss the walk out to Knipekulten where you’ll get a magical view of Lake Vänern.
  • Laxhall Hamnkrog, right by the ferry landing on Torsö taking you to Brommö. Why not book a table or a cabin ready for when you’ve arrived back after your cycle ride.

Cycling on Brommö

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