Day 1 – Jönköping welcomes you
Your journey begins in Jönköping – the City of Matches.
On the day of arrival, you will have the opportunity to visit the Match Museum, which offers an insightful look into the city’s industrial heritage. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel’s Bishop Arms pub. After dinner, you’ll also receive all the necessary information and access to your bike to accompany you on the journey around Lake Vättern.
Day 2 – To the wooden city by the lake
After a hearty breakfast, you head northwest towards Hjo, beautifully situated on the western shore of Lake Vättern. During the first day’s 80 kilometers you cycle through the scenic Hökensås nature reserve, with many lakes and beautiful pine forests.
There are plenty of opportunities to stop, enjoy the surroundings and maybe take a dip in one of the lakes. You continue to Hjo, the charming wooden town where we check into the hotel.
After a shower and some rest, dinner awaits you at the hotel restaurant. After dinner, you can end the day listening to the soft waves of Lake Vättern right next to the hotel.
Distance: 82 km
Day 3 – Towards history
Today will be a quieter day with only about 40 km to Karlsborg, where the Göta Canal meets Lake Vättern. You will arrive in Karlsborg already for lunch served at the hotel. Then you have time to stroll around Karlsborg, in the afternoon you have the opportunity to visit Karlsborg Fortress, a historic site from 1819. You can also buy a guided tour on site.
Don’t miss a trip to the harbor and watch the boats passing through the locks – a fascinating sight as the boats make their way through the Göta Canal.
Distance: 40 km
Day 4 – Through the national park to the harbor
Today you cycle about 80 km towards Askersund, the northernmost part of Lake Vättern. On the way you will take a detour through Tiveden National Park, a beautiful and wild forest where you can stop and maybe take a short hike in connection with lunch.
In the afternoon you reach Askersund for overnight stay and dinner. You will stay at a quaint little B&B and have dinner right next door.
Askersund has a nice harbor to visit and the city center is cozy and cozy.
Distance: 72 km
Day 5 – Up and down to monastic history
After breakfast, you leave Askersund and follow the Vätternrundan cycle race route. There is some uphill at the beginning, but as usual it becomes downhill after an uphill.
You’ll reach the cycling town of Motala, famous for the Vätternrundan start and finish. There you can stop at the start and finish area, take a walk through the parks and visit the Göta Canal locks.
After a visit to Motala, continue to the historic town of Vadstena, where you can visit Vadstena Castle or just take a walk in the town.
Later in the evening, you will have a delicious exquisite dinner at the hotel where you can also buy a SPA package on site.
Distance: 81 km
Day 6 – Along the water to polka rolls
From Vadstena, you follow the shores of Lake Vättern towards Vättern and Omberg, a mythical mountain with incredible viewpoints. Here you can stop for a hike and a visit to Ellen Key’s former home. Afterwards, continue towards Gränna, famous for its candy canes and picturesque town center. In Gränna you can stroll and visit the candy cane factory, perhaps hearing the fascinating stories of Amalia, who started making the candy canes, or of André, who embarked on a perilous balloon flight to the North Pole. Dinner is served at the hotel by their award-winning chef.
Don’t miss a walk to the harbor at sunset – the perfect end to the day with a locally produced ice cream from Grenna ice cream!
Distance: 74 km
Day 7 – Island visit and Småland Tuscany
On the last day, enjoy a beautiful journey to Visingsö, a historic island in Lake Vättern. After a short ferry ride to the island, you will have time to explore its rich history and beautiful nature by bike. Visingsö is an island made for cycling, there is not a single hill.
In the afternoon you cycle back to Jönköping via scenic roads in the countryside. Upon arrival, a hearty farewell dinner awaits with the others, followed by a restful night’s sleep before checking out and heading home.
30 + 45 km
Day 8 – Thank you for this time
After breakfast it’s time to leave. We will take care of your bicycles and if you want to book a transfer, you have the opportunity to do so!
Accommodation on this trip
| Elite Stora Hotellet In the center of Jönköping |  |
| Hotel Bellevue Along Vättern’s beach in the wooden town of Hjo |  |
| Hotel Von Boij In the heart of Karlsborg |  |
| Garvaregården B&B Askerund’s most unique accommodation |  |
| The monastery hotel With the nuns as neighbors |  |
| Grenna Hotel Unique accommodation with a dining experience |  |
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