How Swede It is To Discover These Sights!

Sweden is blessed with 2 of the world’s cleanest, greenest and attractive cities in the world, Stockholm and Gothenburg, but what about the in-between spaces?

Let’s see what the riders on the Road to Valhalla Cycling Tour can expect along the way:

Trosa

Trosa, Central Square

The first stop for the riders after, reluctantly, leaving Stockholm is Trosa, a small coastal village (pop. 7295) with picturesque canals, narrow alleyways and a beautiful harbour. Founded back in the 14th century, it was almost completely destroyed by Russians in the 18th century. Many famous Swedes have summerhouses here, including the the Swedish royal family. Despite its small size, the local tourist board estimates that almost a quarter of a million visitors pass through each summer. After their arrival the cyclists can explore the town. The best option is a walking tour that will take them to such places as the Brewer’s Bridge, the Love Path & World’s End. Along the route from Stockholm to Trosa, the riders can also stop to visit Tullgarn castle just past the village of Sorby. It was constructed in the 1720’s and was the summer palace of King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria.

Norrkoping

Museum of Work(aka ‘The Iron’)

On the next day’s ride the cyclists, at about the 19 km mark, should watch for signs to Nynäs Castle (1.5 km off the route). The stunning manor house and orangery are certainly worth the small detour. Around 85 km, the riders will board a ferry over the Bråviken, an inlet of the Baltic Sea, before arriving in Norrkoping. The city’s waterfalls along the Motala river attracted industry and in the 20th century, with its extensive network of paper mills and textile factories, it became known as Sweden’s ‘Manchester’. Like many other post-industrial urban centres, the city is now reinventing itself, redeveloping old industrial buildings into restaurants, bars, shops and lofts. A must see is the fascinating Museum of Work which documents the past life of textile workers. Surprisingly, Norrköping also has more ancient rock carvings than any city worldwide – over 7,000 – with some dating back to the Bronze Age and for riders with a horticultural bent, there is a cactus plantation in Carl Johans Park featuring over 25,000 cacti.

Vadstena

Vadstena Castle

Roughly 11 km from Norrkoping, cyclists should look for historic Lofstad Castle  and about 40 km later will pass by Svartåmynningen Nature Reserve & Bird Sanctuary where they can climb some bird watching towers for a great view. The day’s destination, and the location for a rest day, is Vadstena, set on shores of Sweden’s second largest body of water, Lake Vättern. It is known for the annual recreational cycling race, Vätternrundan, which encourages some 20,000 participants to complete a 300 km trip around its shores. It is said that the lake’s water is so clean, it can be consumed untreated. Attractions in the town itself include its signature 16th century castle, the Vadstena Hospital Museum, the oldest town hall in country (15th century), a well preserved old town, St Birgitta’s Monastery and  some of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in the country. Rail buffs will enjoy the museum of the Vadstena-Fågelsta narrow gauge railway and those who wish for a little more cycling can head 19 km to the northeast to visit the Motala Motor Museum where over 300 vehicles are on display.

Leaving Vadstena after the rest day, the riders should stop at the 30 km mark to take in Vadstena Klosterkyrka. Founded in the 15th century by St Birgitta. these beautiful ruins were once the country’s top pilgrimage destination. It is also possible to take brief detour (8 km) to the Rokstenen (rune stone), the longest runic inscription in world. The stage ends in the lakeside resort town of Granna where the riders should be sure to try the town’s delicious treat, polkagris, a red and white peppermint rock candy. The next day, the highlights continue. This time it is a stop at 33 km in Huskvarna  for a visit to the Tandsticksmuseet, the world’s only match museum!

Fjallbacka

Leaving Gotenburg the riders will enjoy cycling the Bohuslan coast – windswept rocks, endless islands, quaint harbours, colourful farmhouses and absolutely fabulous seafood. The last stop in Sweden is in Fallbacka (pop. 859), known as legendary Swedish film star Ingrid Bergman’s favourite summer hangout. It is also the birthplace of, and setting for, many of Swedish crime writer Camilla Läckberg’s best-selling novels. About 17 km from Fallbacka is the area around Tanumshede, a UNESCO  World Heritage Site, where riders can find 3000 year old Bronze Age rock carvings. They should stop at the Vitlycke Museum to learn more. Finally, just before the small village of Stene, the cyclists should watch for signs to Blomsholm’s Shipyard (1.2 km off route). There they will marvel at an ancient stone ‘ship’, over 40 metres long and consisting of 49 standing stones.

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