Cycle through West Sweden – here are 9 of the best day trips

1. Cycle on Koster

ROAD BIKING, 5-15 km. Exploring the Koster Islands from the bike saddle is a perfect day trip. Take the Koster Ferry from Strömstad out to South Koster in the morning, spend the day cycling around the island, and travel back with the ferry again in the evening. Don’t forget to pack swimming gear!

• You can hire bikes at Koster Adventure in Kilesand, and you can also take your own bikes onboard the ferry.  
• When you feel peckish you can have a fika or eat something more substantial at Kläpphagen Koster.
• If you want a longer stay you can book a cycling package at Lagunen Camping.

2. Cycle on Kinnekulle

MOUNTAIN BIKING. Kinnekulle is a paradise for MTB enthusiasts. There are several MTB trails here, with different difficulty levels and lengths. It’s really enjoyable cycling and there are lots of nice places to stop and drink in the view. Bring your mountain bike and a cycling mad buddy here right now!

• Some of the trails include the Kinnekulle Trail, Salen Runt, Skagenslingan, Sprängestan and Intervallslingan Högkullen.
• Ready for a fika? Have a stop at Café på Klostret in Blomberg or one of the summer cafes at Handens Hus or Smedja Therese.
• Didn’t manage to fit everything in over a day? Stay the night at Trolmens B&B or bike friendly Lundsbrunn Resort & Spa.

3. The Ätradal Trail Ulricehamn-Limmared

ROAD BIKING, 60 km. Cycle a stretch of the popular Ätradal Trail. Start in Ulricehamn and pedal south along the car free embankment skirting Lake Åsunden. When you reach Limmared thirty km later it’s time to head back again, but there are lots of lovely rest stops in between.

• What kind of a bike ride would it be without an ice cream? Stop at Café Sjöparken in Vegby.
• In Limmared you can eat lunch and have a wander round the glass museum at Glasets Hus. The town is also known for its assortment of antique and vintage shops.
• If you continue the whole way past Tranemo to Ambjörnarp you can swap your push bike for a rail bike.

4. Cycle on Billingen

MOUNTAIN BIKING. Billingen table mountain in Skövde has almost everything nature lovers want, including many great MTB trails and a skills park with sufficiently challenging elements. A day trip here will provide many fun hours cycling for the whole family.  

• Billingen Mountainbike Area has a pump track with banked turns, several technical trails and jump trails. From here you can also access many paths and MTB trails.  
• At Billingecentret there’s a sports shop with bike hire. You’ll also find toilets, showers, changing rooms, food and fika here.
• If you want an extra day’s cycling you can stay at Billingens Stugby or Hotell Billingehus.

5. Vänerleden stage 4 Mariestad-Lidköping

ROAD BIKING, 66 km. A slightly longer day trip fo anyone wanting to experience two harbour towns and lots of exciting sights in between. Stage four of the Vänerleden is from Mariestad to Lidköping via Kinnekulle. When you get there, you can travel with your bike onboard the Västtågen train back to your start point.

• You’ll find the best fika stops at Hellekis Kök & Trädgårdscafé and Café på Klostret.
• Destinations you’ll pass along the way include the Stora Stenbrottet on Kinnekulle, among others.
• If you want to stay the night after your trip we recommend Hotell Vänerport in Mariestad or Lidköpings Stadshotell.

6. Do an art cycle tour on the island of Tjörn

ROAD BIKING, 37 km. Tjörn is a popular destination for cyclists. Along this tour, called the “Tjörn – Island of Art circular”, you’ll pass several of the island’s main sights, quaint fishing villages and of course lovely coastal scenery. The tour starts and ends in Klädesholmen.

• It almost goes without saying that the Nordic Watercolour Museum in Skärhamn and Pilane sculpture park are two of the places you’ll be stopping at.
• Buy fika to take with from Lottas Bak & Form and have a picnic in a beauty spot when you’re ready for it.
• At Salt & Sill on Klädesholmen you can hire bikes, eat and stay the night if you want.

7. Ride over rocks and in a bike park in Strömstad

MOUNTAIN BIKING. North Bohuslän offers many cycling experiences for both experienced mountain bikers and total beginners. Explore the salt sprayed granite rocks on mountain bikes with a certified guide, or test the tracks at Lagunen Bikepark on your own. Great day trips for the whole family!

• In Lagunen Bikepark you’ll find, among other things, a pump track, jump lines and flow trails.
• Cykel & Salt hold courses and do guided rides on e-MTBs, where you can explore the rocks right by the sea.
• If you want you can book a night’s stay at Lagunen Camping or Daftö Resort.

8. Cycle round Brommö

ROAD BIKING, 16 km. In the Lake Vänern archipelago off Mariestad you’ll find the islands of Torsö and Brommö. A short ferry ride (5 minutes) takes you from Torsö over to Brommö, which is more or less car free. A pretty and easy to ride cycle trail winds around the whole island. The perfect family activity!

• Brommö has several lovely swimming spots but do remember to take a pcinic with, as there aren’t any kiosks or restaurants on the island.
• Laxhall Hamnkrog, with a restaurant and accommodation in cabins, is situated next to the ferry terminal on Torsö.

9. Unionsleden stage 5 Bengtsfors-Edsleskog

ROAD BIKING, 42 km. The fifth stage of the Unionsleden stretches between the Dalsland towns of Bengtsfors and Edsleskog. Cycling is mostly along gravel roads, through beautiful scenery and past forest lakes. Note that the stage doesn’t start and finish in the same place, but there are lots of places to stay before you pedal back.

• The art collective Not Quite in Fengersfors is both great to visit and a popular food and fika stop.
• Take a detour to Baldersnäs Herrgård and enjoy really good food in a beautiful setting.
• You can stay the night at Baldersnäs Herrgård, Nordic Refuge, Villa Weidling B&B or Edsleskogs Wärdshus.

Hope you find a cycle tour that grabs you. If you do, just pack your rucksack or bike bag and set off on an adventure. And don’t forget your bike helmet!

Everything about cycling in West Sweden