Sweden, Land of 1000 Lakes

Gota Canal

Tour Description: Guided

Anyone who longs for intact nature and outdoor activities is definitely in the right place here! Experience Sweden from its most beautiful side. The tour starts in middle of Sweden to Katrineholm, which is situated 62 miles (100 km) south-west of the capital Stockholm.

From there you will start your circular trip by bike through green forests, along sparkling lakes to picturesque homesteads and, above al l along Sweden’s most beautiful waterway, the Gota Canal. At a length of 118 miles (190 km) the canal combines lakes from Stockholm across Sweden to Göteborg on the westcoast.

Enjoy yourself on well-marked bikeways, as you pass typical red framehouses and relish the silence of untouched nature!

Learn more about self-guided tours. 

Tour Description: Self-guided

Anyone who longs for intact nature and outdoor activities is definitely in the right place here! Experience Sweden from its most beautiful side. The tour starts in middle of Sweden to Katrineholm, which is situated 62 miles (100 km) south-west of the capital Stockholm.

From there you will start your circular trip by bike through green forests, along sparkling lakes to picturesque homesteads and, above al l along Sweden’s most beautiful waterway, the Gota Canal. At a length of 118 miles (190 km) the canal combines lakes from Stockholm across Sweden to Göteborg on the westcoast.

Enjoy yourself on well-marked bikeways, as you pass typical red framehouses and relish the silence of untouched nature!

Learn more about self-guided tours. 

Highlights: Guided

• Ericsberg Castle
• Lovely town of Soderkoping
• Univeristy city of Linkoping
• Vreta Monastery, Sweden's oldest monastery
• Castle of Boo
• Herrenhofkirche, a country estate church from 1870
• Karl Johann Watergate

Highlights: Self-guided

• Ericsberg Castle
• Lovely town of Soderkoping
• Univeristy city of Linkoping
• Vreta Monastery, Sweden's oldest monastery
• Castle of Boo
• Herrenhofkirche, a country estate church from 1870
• Karl Johann Watergate

Daily Program: Guided

Daily Program: Self-guided

Day 1: Katrineholm Arrival
Arrival to Katrineholm. 
Overnight in Katrineholm.  

Day 2: Katrineholm - Vreta (29 miles/48 km)
The first stage is easy cycling, so you will arrive quickly at the Ericsberg Castle, dating to 1680, with its lovely gardens built after French example. You will cycle further to Wira Bruk and Sweden’s biggest porcelain museum. Soon you will arrive at Stavsjö, a small steel works place from the 17th century. 
Overnight in Vreta. 

Day 3: Vreta - Söderköping (31 miles/50 km)
Today's route will lead you to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sweden. The lovely little town of Söderköping used to be one of the most exclusive cities in Sweden. With buildings from the 18th and 19th century, it is well-worth seeing.
Overnight in Soderkoping.

Day 4: Soderkoping - Linköping (33 days/55 km)
There it is, the Göta canal, which first started in 1810 with 58 watergates. You will not cycle the complete canal, but quite a good stage of the 118 miles (190 km) of waterway. You have the possibility of following the busy activities at the water-gates and take a picture of the beautiful houses of the bridge care takers. The lively university city of Linköping awaits you with a cathedral well worth seeing, as well as the castle and a cozy city center and some marketplaces.
Overnight in Linköping. 

Day 5: Linköping - Motala (31 miles/51 km)
Today you will experience the most famous water-gate of the Gota canal! The 'Karl Johann Watergate' forms a long stair along with 7 other water-gates and allows interesting observations. You will cycle through green landscapes to the ruins of the Vreta monastery, Sweden’s oldest monastery from the 12th century. Today’s destination is situated idyllically on the Vätternsee. Vätternsee, with its 730 square miles (1,900 sq kms), appears more like a semi-enclosed sea.
Overnight in Motala.  

Day 6: Motala - Askersund (43 miles/69 km)
Through the broad forests of Ostergötland you will cycle to Zinkgruvan, an old coal mine town from 1860. Gaze at the exhibits of the museum or use the lovely swimming site for a cool refreshment. The last distance of the route is easy cycling as it heads to the north bank of Vätternsee to Askersund, with its lovely frame-houses, tiny harbor and paved market.
Overnight in Askersund.  

Day 7: Askersund - Regna (40 miles/65 km)
Past innumerable lakes you will cycle to the castle of Boo, situated within a beautiful park. Visit the little 'Herrenhofkirche' (a country estate church) of 1870, which was exclusively built for the castle owner. Afterwards you will cycle to today’s accommodation at Regna.
Overnight in Regna.  

Day 8: Regna - Katrineholm (25 miles/42 km)
Your last cycling day presents you with a colorful mix! Spend your time in green forests, around blue lakes, enjoy the bright colors of freshly painted frame-houses and take a look at the black of ironworks in Övre Hävla Bruk. Here you can inspect the last still known blacksmith technique, the so called "Deutschherd".
Overnight in Katrineholm.  

Day 9: Katrineholm Departure
After breakfast your lovely cycle tour will end in Katrineholm.

Dates: Guided

Dates: Self-guided

Sundays: May 19- Aug 25, 2013

Packages and Prices: Guided

Packages and Prices: Self-guided

Tour package (self-guided)
3- and 4-star comfortable, middle-class hotels.
Per person, double occupancy SEK12625 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) SEK3125 Bike rentals (included in tour price) Hybrid touring bike, 7-speed with pedal brakes SEK0 Equipment provided free with all rentals SEK0 Extra nights, Katrineholm Per person, double occupancy SEK640 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) SEK400

Included Services: Guided

Included Services: Self-guided

• Accommodations
• Rooms with shower/bath/WC (in Regna, shower/toilet in hall)
• Breakfast buffet
• Luggage transfer
• 7-gear hybrid touring bike with one saddle bag
• Maps and tour description in English
• Dinners and packed lunch
• Free parking at first hotel

Hotels: Guided

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability. 

Hotels are 3- and 4-star comfortable, middle-class hotels.

Day 1: Dufweholms Herrgard, Katrineholm
www.dufweholm.se
Dufweholms Manor is a small, romantic and genuine country house hotel situated outside of Katrineholm.  

Day 2: Wreta Gestigifveri, Alberga
http://wreta.com
Wreta Gestigifveri offers guests lounge areas, dining rooms and comfortable guest rooms.  

Day 3: Soderkopings Krunnshotel, Soderkoping
www.soderkopingsbrunn.se
Soderkopings Krunnshotel is a hotel, restaurant, and spa on the Gota canal. 

Day 4: Scandic Frimurarehotellet, Linkoping
www.scandichotels.se
Scandic Frimurarehotellet is located in central Linkoping, near to all the town's sights and attractions.  

Day 5: Hotel M, Motala
book.bestwestern.com
Hotel M is situated next to Stora Torgot, the large square in Motala and is furnished in the maritime style. 

Day 6: Hotell Nora Vattern Askersund
book.bestwestern.com
The Best Western Hotel Nora Vattern is decorated in the Scandinavian style in the lovely surroundings of Lake Vattern.  

Day 7: Regnagarden, Regna
www.regnagarden.se
Regnagarden is a hostel that offers guests a peaceful and relaxing environment in the countryside situated 2 hour south of Stockholm (shower and toilet in hall). 

Day 8: Dufweholms Herrgard, Katrineholm

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options. 

Hotels: Self-guided

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability. 

Hotels are 3- and 4-star comfortable, middle-class hotels.

Day 1: Dufweholms Herrgard, Katrineholm
www.dufweholm.se
Dufweholms Manor is a small, romantic and genuine country house hotel situated outside of Katrineholm.  

Day 2: Wreta Gestigifveri, Alberga
http://wreta.com
Wreta Gestigifveri offers guests lounge areas, dining rooms and comfortable guest rooms.  

Day 3: Soderkopings Krunnshotel, Soderkoping
www.soderkopingsbrunn.se
Soderkopings Krunnshotel is a hotel, restaurant, and spa on the Gota canal. 

Day 4: Scandic Frimurarehotellet, Linkoping
www.scandichotels.se
Scandic Frimurarehotellet is located in central Linkoping, near to all the town's sights and attractions.  

Day 5: Hotel M, Motala
book.bestwestern.com
Hotel M is situated next to Stora Torgot, the large square in Motala and is furnished in the maritime style. 

Day 6: Hotell Nora Vattern Askersund
book.bestwestern.com
The Best Western Hotel Nora Vattern is decorated in the Scandinavian style in the lovely surroundings of Lake Vattern.  

Day 7: Regnagarden, Regna
www.regnagarden.se
Regnagarden is a hostel that offers guests a peaceful and relaxing environment in the countryside situated 2 hour south of Stockholm (shower and toilet in hall). 

Day 8: Dufweholms Herrgard, Katrineholm

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options. 

Bike Rentals: Guided

The available bikes on this tour are 7-speed hybrid touring bike with brakes in the pedals. They are equipped with a saddle bag. 

Bike Rentals: Self-guided

The available bikes on this tour are 7-speed hybrid touring bike with brakes in the pedals. They are equipped with a saddle bag. 

Surface and Terrain: Guided

This tour is easy cycling and, if at all necessary, you can push your bike. It is rated Leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition. 

Surface and Terrain: Self-guided

This tour is easy cycling and, if at all necessary, you can push your bike. It is rated Leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition. 

How To Get There: Guided

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Stockholm, Sweden
Nearest train station: Katrineholm, Sweden

Getting to and from Katrineholm
Katrineholm, where the tour starts and ends, is situated 62 miles (100 km) southwest of Stockholm and easily accessible by train. Trains leave about once an hour between the two cities, and the ride takes about 1 hour. Trains also run between Katrineholm and Stockholm Airport about once an hour, and the ride takes about 20 minutes.

Tips on getting to and from your tour

How To Get There: Self-guided

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Stockholm, Sweden
Nearest train station: Katrineholm, Sweden

Getting to and from Katrineholm
Katrineholm, where the tour starts and ends, is situated 62 miles (100 km) southwest of Stockholm and easily accessible by train. Trains leave about once an hour between the two cities, and the ride takes about 1 hour. Trains also run between Katrineholm and Stockholm Airport about once an hour, and the ride takes about 20 minutes.

Tips on getting to and from your tour

More about Sweden: Guided

Sweden is known for its distinctive style and offers some of the most singular and original architecture and design in the world, while remaining a center for winter sports lovers from around the world. But while Sweden is known for its frigid winters, its weather is surprisingly temperate in the summer and allows for a variety of outdoor activities that don’t include a pair of skis or a snowmobile.

Stockholm is a cultural hub, home of great art, design, theater, and nightlife – all scattered over a series of small islands that comprise the city. But it's Sweden's natural sites that attract the most visitors. Many travel to witness the Northern Lights in the skies or enjoy active pursuits like skiing and snowboarding. The beautiful mountains, hills, and canyons offer visitors lots of hiking and walking opportunities as well.

More on bicycling in Sweden > 

View all Sweden bike tours >

More about Sweden: Self-guided

Sweden is known for its distinctive style and offers some of the most singular and original architecture and design in the world, while remaining a center for winter sports lovers from around the world. But while Sweden is known for its frigid winters, its weather is surprisingly temperate in the summer and allows for a variety of outdoor activities that don’t include a pair of skis or a snowmobile.

Stockholm is a cultural hub, home of great art, design, theater, and nightlife – all scattered over a series of small islands that comprise the city. But it's Sweden's natural sites that attract the most visitors. Many travel to witness the Northern Lights in the skies or enjoy active pursuits like skiing and snowboarding. The beautiful mountains, hills, and canyons offer visitors lots of hiking and walking opportunities as well.

More on bicycling in Sweden > 

View all Sweden bike tours >

Weather: Guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information.

Weather: Self-guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information.

Tour Company Background: Cycling Sweden: Guided

Cycling Sweden is a small company (just the owner and his wife) selling about 150 incoming and about 500 outgoing guests. They have been open for about 15 years and cooperate with most of the leading companies throughout Europe. 

Tour Company Background: Cycling Sweden: Self-guided

Cycling Sweden is a small company (just the owner and his wife) selling about 150 incoming and about 500 outgoing guests. They have been open for about 15 years and cooperate with most of the leading companies throughout Europe. 

Terms and Conditions: Cycling Sweden: Guided

Cancellations

• More than 28 day: 20% of the total price
• 27-14 days: 30%
• 13-8 days: 50%
• 7-4 days: 70%
• 3-0 days: 90%

Terms and Conditions: Cycling Sweden: Self-guided

Cancellations

• More than 28 day: 20% of the total price
• 27-14 days: 30%
• 13-8 days: 50%
• 7-4 days: 70%
• 3-0 days: 90%