Vänerleden Lakeside Bike Tour
7 days / 6 nights
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Highlights
- Pass the 15-metre Picasso sculpture at the harbour mouth of Kristinehamn
- Ride into Sjötorp, where the Göta Canal drops into the lake through its locks
- Round the foot of Kinnekulle, the flat-topped hill Linnaeus called the flowering mountain
- Sleep in Lidköping, home of Rörstrand porcelain since 1726
- Pass beneath the table mountains of Halleberg and Hunneberg on the last stage
- Finish in Vänersborg, where the lake empties into the Göta älv
What’s included in the price?
Self-guided
Those who like good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided cycling holiday. It offers complete freedom, multiple detour opportunities, and exploration at your own pace without having to adapt to a group.
INCLUDED
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Carefully selected 3- and 4-star hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs, all with private en-suite rooms and breakfast included. Expect comfortable, well-appointed rooms with attentive hospitality, typically in convenient and scenic locations — some properties also offer on-site dining.
These are examples of the type and standard you can expect. Actual properties may vary depending on availability.
Vänern is big enough to have weather of its own, an archipelago of more than twenty thousand islands, and a horizon with no far shore. It is the largest lake in the European Union, and the Vänerleden, a marked cycle route opened in 2021, goes all the way round it.
We ride the eastern shore, from Karlstad in the north to Vänersborg at the lake's outlet in the south, five stages and 252 km.
It is the quietest of our Swedish routes, and the one fewest foreign cyclists have found. The riding runs on lakeside lanes, cycle paths and short stretches of gravel, mostly flat, with one hill that matters: Kinnekulle, the wooded table mountain the route rounds on its lake side.
The rest of the interest is at the water's edge. A Picasso sculpture at Kristinehamn. The Göta Canal spilling into the lake through the locks at Sjötorp. Mariestad's cathedral and harbour. Lidköping's porcelain works. The table mountains of Halleberg and Hunneberg standing over the last stage.
Stages run from 34 to 64 km, and services are thin on the second one, so the guidebook marks the shops; an e-bike suits anyone who would rather not think about the distance.
As on all our Swedish routes, the beds are booked, the luggage travels ahead and the route is on your phone. This is an e-bike route: bring your own, or rent one from our Karlstad partner and find it waiting at the hotel the evening before you start.
Karlstad, Mariestad, Lidköping and Vänersborg give you proper hotels; the lakeside villages in between are a different Sweden, a bed and breakfast in a wooden house or a cottage of your own by the water. On those nights dinner is either cooked by your host or booked for you at the village restaurant, and the guidebook says which.
Vänerleden also pairs naturally with the Göta Canal tour, which starts an hour's ride from Sjötorp, for two weeks of riding in one Swedish summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hassle-Free
We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree holiday.
Tried & Tested Adventures
Our cycling routes are hand-picked & tested, to ensure breathtaking landscapes, smooth roads, and maximum safety - giving you the perfect ride every day.
Unbeatable Support
Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, ensuring your cycling holiday runs smoothly and your well-being is always our top priority.
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We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.
