Day trip with bike - The Estates Around The Lake
Ulricehamn

A tour with history

A tour of historic sites with beautiful mansions and a medieval castle. You will visit some of the mansions that Birgit Th Sparre has written about in her novel series, Gårdarna Runt Sjön, in English "The Estates Around The Lake”. You will start your bike tour in Ulricehamn and travel on the west side of the lake of Åsunden. At Marbäck you should definitely make a detour to “Hemma på Källebacka” (only open friday, saturday and sunday), a farm shop with associated café, filled with decor and good coffee. The bike tour continues along the lakes Åsunden and Sämsjön. In the small village of Månstad you make a turn towards Hofsnäs and Torpa. Your lunch is booked at Hofsnäs.

Birgit Th Sparre's home patch 

Hofsnäs Herrgård is beautifully situated by Yttre Åsunden in Torpas nature reserve, just around the corner from Torpa Stenhus. Both the mansion and Torpa Stenhus are mentioned in Birgit Sparres novel “Gårdarna runt sjön”. Hofsnäs Herrgårds café and bistro offers a wide range of homemade delights and dishes inspired by both seasonal and local producers.

The kitchen at the mansion is certified by ”Smaka” in the west of Sweden. Shop for some goodies from the market hall. Make sure to explore Torpa-Näset’s nature reserve with nice walking trails. At Hofsnäs, there is also a small beach and bathing area as well as fishing opportunities and boat rental. Continue the tour through Torpa-Näset to Torpa. Stepping in to Torpa Stenhus is like traveling several hundred years back in time. With its unique architecture and beautiful interiors, the castle is one of Swedens best preserved manor houses from the 16th century. A guided tour of the castle is included in the package.

Torpa Stenhus - Medieval Castle

After interesting experiences at Torpa and Hofsnäs it is only a 17 kilometer trip, about 1 hour bike tour to Fästeredssund where you and the bike are picked up for transport back to Ulricehamn.

More information

For more information and price examples, visit Outdoor Support's website.

Surface and type of road: smaller country road and bicycle path. The whole bike tour is 53 kilometers.