Swike

This relaxed self-guided loop explores the heart of Småland, the rolling forest and lake country that inspired Astrid Lindgren's Pippi, Emil and Bullerbyn. Quiet back roads link red cottages, flowering meadows, rural villages and the preserved 17th-century wooden town of Eksjö, before joining the Astrid Lindgren trail to Mariannelund and Vimmerby.

With only four riding days, there is time to visit Filmbyn Småland, Astrid Lindgren's Näs or Astrid Lindgren's World, ride out to Katthult and Lönneberga, or simply swim, walk and unwind. The final stay is at Trakt Forest Hotel, a newly built farm hotel where modern architecture meets Småland tranquillity.

Swike provide characterful lakeside and countryside accommodation, nightly dinners featuring local produce and daily luggage transfers, so you can focus on experiencing Småland with all your senses.

Highlights

• The preserved 17th-century wooden town of Eksjö
• Riding the Astrid Lindgren trail to Mariannelund and Vimmerby
• Filmbyn Småland and filming locations from Astrid Lindgren's films
• Astrid Lindgren's Näs, Astrid Lindgren's World, Katthult and Lönneberga
• Lakeside sauna and swims at Hotel Ullinge
• A restful stay and forest-inspired dining at Trakt Forest Hotel

Surface and terrain
Quiet, mostly sealed back roads mixed with gravel and forest roads, chosen to avoid traffic. Gently rolling Småland countryside of forests, meadows and lakes, with no major climbs.

Weather
Småland enjoys mild late spring and summer weather, with daytime temperatures around 15-24°C, long daylight hours and occasional showers. Lakes are warm enough for swimming in summer.

Suitable for
Graded Medium. No previous experience needed, but a reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Ideal for couples and families of readers wanting short riding days, culture, nostalgia and plenty of downtime.

This relaxed guided day ride heads out from central Jönköping into the cultural landscape known as Småland's Tuscany, where apple trees stand in neat rows across rolling hills and views stretch out over Lake Vättern. The loop covers around 40 km at an easy pace, with plenty of stops along the way.

Your guide shares stories of the area's history, its long apple-growing traditions and the passionate orchardists who work the land. A highlight is a classic Swedish fika at one of the orchards, with freshly brewed coffee, homemade apple cake and locally produced apple juice.

A touring bike, helmet and guide are included, making this an easy, sociable way to experience the countryside around Jönköping with no planning required.

Highlights

• Rolling hills and orchards of Småland's Tuscany
• Sweeping views over Lake Vättern
• Local history and apple-growing traditions from your guide
• A Swedish fika with homemade apple cake and local apple juice
• Visits to selected orchards and farm gems along the way

Surface and terrain
Quiet country roads, mostly sealed with some gravel, through gently rolling hills. Graded Easy, with many stops along the way.

Weather
Mild summer conditions are typical, around 15-24°C with occasional showers. Tours run in most weather; in extreme conditions they may be rescheduled or refunded.

Suitable for
Graded Easy. No previous experience needed. Suits casual riders, couples and small groups wanting a sociable, guided countryside outing.

This self-guided loop circles Lake Vättern, Sweden's second-largest lake, starting and finishing in historic Jönköping, the "City of Matches". Quiet back roads and hidden paths lead through pine forests, lakeside towns and fairytale landscapes, with plenty of chances to stop for a swim, a coffee or a wander.

Highlights include the Hokensås nature reserve, the wooden town of Hjo, Karlsborg Fortress, a detour through Tiveden National Park and a section of the famous Vätternrundan race route to Motala. From the monastic town of Vadstena you ride beneath the legendary Omberg to Gränna, home of the polkagris candy cane, before a ferry hop to the hill-free island of Visingsö.

Swike take care of the details, with characterful hotels and B&Bs, nightly dinners, welcome and farewell dinners in Jönköping and daily luggage transfers.

Highlights

• Karlsborg Fortress and boats passing through the Göta Canal locks
• Tiveden National Park's wild forests
• Riding part of the Vätternrundan route into Motala, Sweden's cycling capital
• Vadstena Castle and an overnight in the town's monastery hotel
• Omberg's viewpoints and Ellen Key's former home
• Gränna's candy cane makers and a ferry ride to Visingsö

Surface and terrain
Mixed asphalt, gravel and quiet forest roads, chosen to avoid traffic. Mostly rolling, with some climbing out of Askersund on Day 5 and around Omberg. Visingsö is completely flat.

Weather
Swedish summers are generally mild, with daytime temperatures around 18-24°C, long daylight hours and occasional showers. Winds can be strong along Lake Vättern, so pack rainwear and swimwear.

Suitable for
Graded Medium. No previous experience needed, but a reasonable level of fitness is recommended for back-to-back days of 70-80 km. Ridden at a leisurely pace, so no cycling-specific clothing is needed.

This short, self-guided gravel loop starts and finishes at Fredensborgs Herrgård, a manor house just south of Vimmerby in the heart of Småland. Three solid days on forest gravel roads deliver steady climbing, winding descents, quiet lakes and small villages, with views that demand a stop.

The first stage heads west to Wallby Säteri for a sauna and lake swim, before a rock 'n' roll night in Hultsfred, home of the legendary music festival, at a hotel owned by one of its founders. The final day rolls north through Astrid Lindgren country, past Lönneberga and Bullerbyn, back to Fredensborg.

All meals are included, with packed lunches on the road and dinners in good company each evening. Luggage is transferred, and riders with energy to spare can add a bonus ride on the final morning.

Highlights

• Three days of challenging Småland forest gravel
• Sauna and lake swims at Wallby Säteri and Fredensborgs Herrgård
• A rock 'n' roll evening in Hultsfred, with festival stories over dinner
• Riding through Astrid Lindgren country, including Lönneberga and Bullerbyn
• Characterful manor and estate accommodation
• An optional bonus gravel ride on the final morning

Surface and terrain
Almost entirely gravel and dirt forest roads. Hilly throughout, with challenging climbs from the outset and 600-900 m of ascent each day.

Weather
Småland summers are generally mild, with daytime temperatures around 15-24°C, long daylight hours and occasional showers. Forest gravel can become soft or muddy after rain.

Suitable for
Graded Challenging. Fit, experienced gravel riders used to longer distances and sustained climbing, who want a short, well-catered gravel break.

This is Swike’s most comprehensive gravel tour, a self-guided loop from Jönköping through the forests, lakes and hinterland of northern Småland. Routes follow some of Sweden’s best gravel roads, mixing fast, winding stretches with challenging climbs, and several stages trace classic events such as Grenna Gravel and the 2025 Swedish Gravel Championships.

The journey passes the dramatic East Vättern Scarp, John Bauer’s fairytale forests, the orchards and vineyards of Äppledalen, the wooden town of Eksjö, the Skuruhatt gorge and Tomtabacken, southern Sweden’s highest point. Most days offer a shorter or longer route, so riders can choose between 45 and 135 km.

Evenings are spent in carefully selected hotels and inns with saunas, lake swims and local food. All meals and luggage transfers are included, so you ride light and focus on the gravel.

Highlights

• Riding sections of Grenna Gravel and the 2025 Swedish Gravel Championships course
• John Bauer’s fairytale forests and two nights at Bauergården in Bunn
• Äppledalen’s orchards and vineyards, and Gränna’s famous 20% climb
• The Skuruhatt gorge and the wooden town of Eksjö
• Tomtabacken, southern Sweden’s highest point, and its viewing tower
• Lakeside saunas and evening swims at Hotel Ullinge

Surface and terrain
Predominantly gravel (up to 75-80% on some stages) with sections of quiet asphalt and forest roads. Rolling to hilly terrain with steep pinches, including a 20% hill near Gränna and around 900 m of climbing on Day 4.

Weather
Småland summers are generally mild, with daytime temperatures around 15-24°C, long daylight hours and occasional showers. Forest gravel can become soft or muddy after rain.

Suitable for
Graded Challenging. Experienced, fit gravel riders comfortable with long, consecutive days on mixed surfaces. Route choices allow some flexibility, but experience with longer distances is required.

This self-guided tour follows the entire Göta Canal, Sweden's "blue ribbon", from Sjötorp on the shores of Lake Vänern to charming Söderköping by the Baltic Sea. Named Europe's best cycle route, the trail winds through a landscape of waterways, locks, boating life, small towns and historic settings, with a detour around the northern end of Lake Vättern.

Along the way you pass Forsvik, the canal's oldest and highest lock, ride close to the old-growth forests of Tiveden National Park, explore Karlsborg Fortress and the mining heritage of Zinkgruvan, and watch boats being raised and lowered on the lock staircase at Berg. A short boat crossing of Lake Asplången forms part of the official route.

Swike hand-pick the hotels and B&Bs, include breakfast, packed lunches and dinners, and transport your luggage each day, leaving you free to enjoy Sweden from the saddle at a relaxed, comfortable pace.

Highlights

• Cycling the full length of the Göta Canal from Lake Vänern to the Baltic Sea
• Forsvik, the canal's oldest and highest lock, and the iconic lock staircase at Berg
• Karlsborg Fortress, built to protect Sweden's gold reserve and government
• Tiveden National Park's forests and the white-sand beach at Vita Sand
• Zinkgruvan's mining history and a sweeping descent to Lake Vättern
• The cyclists' boat across Lake Asplången and an optional finish at Mem, where the canal meets the sea

Surface and terrain
Mixed asphalt, gravel towpaths and occasional forest roads, chosen to avoid traffic. Mostly flat canal-side riding, with a hillier stretch through mining country to Zinkgruvan on Day 4, followed by a long descent to Lake Vättern.

Weather
Swedish summers are generally mild, with daytime temperatures around 18-24°C, long daylight hours and occasional showers. Breezes can be strong around the large lakes, so pack rainwear (and swimwear for the lakes).

Suitable for
Graded Medium. No previous experience needed, but a reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Suits independent couples and friends wanting comfortable, well-fed touring at their own pace, and riders happy on gravel.