Day 1: Töreboda – Sjötorp 20 km
Cycling holiday & train ride along the Göta Canal, Vänern & Kinnekulle
Your cycling holiday begins at the charming Pensionat Prästgården in Töreboda, where you pick up your bike and set off along the Göta Canal. Today's cycle ride takes place on quiet, car-free gravel roads with the canal as your companion.
After a few kilometers you will come to Hajstorp, one of the Göta Canal's finest canal and lock environments. Here you can stop, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, watch the boats and follow life around the locks. There is also the opportunity to have a coffee or something good to eat.
The journey then continues towards Norrqvarn, a popular spot right next to the Göta Canal. Here you can sit by the jetty, have a coffee or enjoy something delicious to eat while the boats slowly pass by on the canal.
The bike ride then continues along the Göta Canal towards Sjötorp. On the way you pass the canal's historic locks and can follow boating life up close. In total you pass 19 locks on the route between Töreboda and Sjötorp.
When you arrive in Sjötorp, Pensionat Kajutan awaits you, cozy and located right next to the Göta Canal and the locks. Here you can relax after today's bike ride and enjoy the wonderful canal atmosphere.
Today's highlight: Cycling along the Göta Canal, Hajstorp, Norrqvarn and the historic locks.
Today's tip: Take time to stop in Hajstorp and Norrqvarn and enjoy coffee, boating and the beautiful canal environment.
Terrain: Easy cycling on car-free gravel roads.
Luggage transport: Luggage is transported to today's accommodation.
Day 2: Sjötorp – Lyrestad – Mariestad 18 km + train
Cycle to Lyrestad and take the train to Mariestad!
After breakfast you leave Sjötorp and cycle along the Göta Canal towards Lyrestad, a distance of approximately 8 km. Here you board the Kinnekulletåget for a pleasant train journey to Mariestad. Your bike will of course be taken on the train.
When you arrive in Mariestad, a charming small town on the shores of Lake Vänern awaits. Take time to discover the old town center with its well-preserved wooden houses in the old town and cozy streets before continuing on your bike.
Today's bike ride continues along the shore of Lake Vänern towards Snapen's recreational area. Here you can take a refreshing dip in Lake Vänern and enjoy the Swedish summer with the lake right next door.
Back in Mariestad, you can end the day with a walk in the cozy guest harbor and enjoy the boating life before it's time to relax after today's cycling holiday.
Today's highlight: The Kinnekulle train to Mariestad and the town's charming surroundings on Lake Vänern.
Today's tip: Try an ice cream from Klings – a local favorite that is perfect for a summer day by Lake Vänern.
Terrain: Easy cycling on quiet roads, along Lake Vänern and through Mariestad's charming urban environment.
Transport: Train Lyrestad – Mariestad. Tickets are easily purchased in Västtrafik's To Go app, approximately 38 SEK per person.
Luggage transport: Luggage is transported to today's accommodation.
Day 3: Mariestad – Hällekis – Källby – Lidköping 18 km + train
Cycle through beautiful Kinnekulle!
After breakfast, it's time to take the train from Mariestad to Hällekis. Your bike will of course be included, and after about 25 minutes you will arrive at the foot of Kinnekulle.
Here begins today's bike ride through one of Västergötland's most beautiful landscapes. You cycle through the green and scenic environment of Kinnekulle, with parts of the Vänerleden trail as your companion. Along the way, small villages, historical environments, medieval churches, manor houses and beautiful nature reserves await.
One of the nice stops of the day is Hellekis Säteri, beautifully situated on the slopes of Kinnekulle with a view of Lake Vänern. Here you can stroll around the well-known garden, enjoy the environment and have a coffee / lunch.
The bike ride then continues through the beautiful landscape towards Källby, where you end the day's cycling and take the train to Lidköping.
A lovely evening awaits in Lidköping. Here you can relax after today's bike ride and enjoy a 3-course dinner at Stadshotellet's outdoor terrace.
Today's highlight: Kinnekulle's beautiful landscape and a visit to Hellekis Säteri.
Today's tip: Take the time to walk through the rose garden at Hellekis Säteri – a really nice experience during the summer.
Terrain: Easy/medium cycling on asphalt and gravel roads through countryside and small villages.
Transport: Train Mariestad – Lidköping. Tickets are easily purchased in Västtrafik's To Go app, approximately 38 SEK per person/trip. The ticket lasts 90 minutes.
Luggage transport: Luggage is transported to today's accommodation.
Day 4: Lidköping – Läckö Castle – Lidköping
A day at Lake Vänern and the mighty Läckö Castle!
After breakfast, it's time to leave the bike for a while and discover Läckö Castle, beautifully located on Kållandsö on the shores of Lake Vänern. From Lidköping, take the bus to Läckö. You can easily buy the ticket in Västtrafik's To Go app and it costs around 76 SEK round trip per person.
A day filled with history, beautiful surroundings and magnificent views of Lake Vänern awaits you at Läckö Castle. Take a walk through the castle's impressive baroque halls and discover the beautiful Little Castle Garden.
Here you can also have a coffee or lunch and enjoy the beautiful castle surroundings. Take the opportunity to visit Naturum Väner Archipelago – Victoriahuset, where you can learn more about Lake Vänern's nature and archipelago.
During the day there is plenty of time to walk, discover the area and enjoy Lake Vänern's beautiful landscape before the bus takes you back to Lidköping.
Today's highlight: Läckö Castle and the magnificent views over Lake Vänern.
Today's tip: Take time to walk in the Little Palace Garden and enjoy the view over Lake Vänern.
Terrain: Easy sightseeing and walking on foot.
Transport: Bus Lidköping–Läckö round trip. Tickets are easily purchased in Västtrafik's To Go app, approximately 76 SEK round trip per person.
Day 5: Lidköping – Kinnekulle – Lyrestad – Töreboda
Train hop through Kinnekulle and finish with cycling along the Göta Canal!
After breakfast, it's time for the last day of the trip. You board the train from Lidköping and let the train take you through the beautiful landscape of Kinnekulle. Of course, your bike will accompany you during the train journey.
Along the way, there is the opportunity to get off at Forshem and Hällekis to discover some of Kinnekulle's charming surroundings. Here you will find historical sights, small shops and antique stores to explore.
You then continue by train to Lyrestad, where you cycle the last part of the cycle tour. From here you cycle approximately 12,5 km along the Göta Canal on the quiet and car-free canal road back to Töreboda.
When you arrive, your cycling holiday is back where it began – at Pensionat Prästgården in Töreboda. Here you check in for the last night of your trip and can relax after five days filled with cycling, train journeys, the Göta Canal, Lake Vänern and Kinnekulle.
It's a nice end to your cycling holiday – and you wake up the next morning at Pensionat Prästgården, the same place where the journey began.
Today's highlight: Kinnekulle's picturesque stations and the final bike ride along the Göta Canal.
Today's tip: Stop by Hällekis and discover the local environment and offerings around Hellekis Säteri.
Terrain: Train ride through beautiful landscapes followed by easy cycling on a car-free canal road.
Transport: Train Lidköping – Lyrestad. Tickets are easily purchased in Västtrafik's To Go app, approximately 38 SEK per person.
Luggage transport: Luggage is transported back to Töreboda.
Overnight stay: Pension Prästgården, Töreboda.
Day 6 – Breakfast and conclusion
After a delicious breakfast at Pensionat Prästgården, it's time to end your cycling holiday.
Here the journey ends in the same place it began – in Töreboda, right next to the Göta Canal.
Book your summer cycling holiday along the Göta Canal and Lake Vänern!
Experience cycling, sun, swimming, history, beautiful landscapes and charming Swedish villages & small towns on a five-day cycling holiday filled with wonderful experiences.
You cycle along the Göta Canal, discover the beautiful surroundings of Lake Vänern and experience Kinnekulle by both bike and train. A complete cycling holiday for couples, friends and groups who want to experience Sweden in an active and comfortable way.
Train tickets
Train tickets are easily purchased by each traveler via Västtrafik's To Go app. You buy and pay for the ticket directly in the app and the cost is approximately SEK 38 per person per trip. This makes train travel during your cycling holiday both easy and smooth.
