A round trip through Södermanland from Stockholm to ship burials, runic stones, cliff drawings, country churches. Add to that Janson’s temptation, Smörgåsbord and Loganberries. Long days, short nights, woods, water, wide open spaces. A high summer bike tour in a fairytale land of the north.
Day 1: Arrival
Your hotel room in Stockholm's old town, Gamla Stan, will be available at 2:00pm. Guests who have arrived by 4:00pm will be treated to a sightseeing tour of the old town, situated on Stadsholmen island. The evening is yours to enjoy. There is a wide variety of restaurants offering local specialties as well as international cuisine.
Overnight in Stockholm
Day 2: Stockholm – Södertälje (35 miles/56 km)
Our bike tour starts in the morning outside the hotel. Stockholm is spread over 14 islands; about 30% of the city are covered with water. The fascinating mixture of water and land will accompany us through our tour.
The cycle routing in Stockholm and in the country is impressive. We enjoy our ride through this pleasant metropolis and will arrive at the gorgeous Drottningholm baroque castle, the principal residence of the Swedish royal family. It is a striking symbol of the might of the former Swedish dynasties.
After visiting the North wing our route then takes us across bridges to little islands in Lake Mälar, the country’s third largest lake. Along a varied route, every now and then passing by baroque castles, we reach Södertälje.
Overnight in Södertälje
Day 3: Södertälje – Trosa (36 miles/57 km)
Soon after leaving Södertälje we reach the Södermansland (the land of the Southern men). Its scenic landscape has become a place of longing to many Sweden lovers, especially since the filming of Inga Lindström’s books. Wonderfully situated between Lake Mälar and the Baltic Sea, the area, historically favored by the nobility, shows about 400 manor houses and small castles. Past lakes, dense forests and small islands, our route leads to the lovely 12th-century country church of Old Trosa. The Swedes call Trosa, the smallest city of the country, "the end of the world." It is located at the stream Trosaan.
Overnight in Trosa
Day 4: Trosa – Katrineholm (28 miles/44 km)
Over the next few days, we will traverse the heartland of Södermanlands. The last ice age left its marks: the landscape is smoothed, high-piled, flattened, shaped. Our route is a wild beauty, peppered with the typical red and ocher-colored frame houses. You will enjoy the landscape.
In Gnesta we swap our bikes for the train and will reach Katrineholm (named after the duchess Catharina Gyllenhorn) in about 30 minutes. We use the oldest and most important railway track of Sweden. A short ride on our bikes takes us to our destination for two nights, the Dufweholms Herrgard, one of Sweden's Historic Hotels. Located directly at the lakeside, the estate invites us for a swim, a visit to the sauna, and pleasant relaxation in the stylish lounge. A remarkable cuisine and a well-sorted wine cellar add to our well-being.
Overnight in Katrineholm
Day 5: Excursion Floda Kyrka (26 miles/42 km)
Along small trails we enjoy the calm and solitude of an almost unspoiled nature. With some luck we will catch sight of one of the thousands of elks or even of the nowadays rare ospreys. Shortly before our lunch break we reach Floda Kyrka. In the former rural community, this sacred building impresses with its size and its splendid liturgical frescoes of the 15th century. Clerically, it belongs to the diocese of Stärgnäs of the so-called Swedish Church, the country's largest denomination.
In the afternoon, we take the train back to Katrineholm. Before dinner there is still enough time for a refreshing swim in the lake or a relaxing sauna session.
Overnight in Katrineholm
Day 6: Katrineholm – Mariefred (35 miles/56 km)
In the morning a shuttle bus takes us to Sundbyholm. Near the village we will see a Sigurd carving of unusual dimensions: Sigurdristning, depicting a central event of the Völsunga saga. This variety of the Nibelungenlied was one of the major sources of inspiration to Richard Wagner for his monumental opera cycle.
From here our route leads to Strängnäs, site of a famous cathedral and the stage for important events in Swedish history. Gustav Wasa was elected king in 1523 before he led Sweden out of the Kalmar Union to independence. Before reaching our destination, we behold the imposing Gripsholm Castle, sturdily built on a peninsula. Mariefred, a charming little town of wooden houses and crooked lanes, is located at the Gripsholm bay of Lake Mälar.
Overnight in Mariefred
Day 7: Mariefred – Stockholm (21 miles/33 km)
In the morning we visit Gripsholm Castle, one of the ten Swedish royal palaces. Built in the 16th century by Gustav Vasa, this impressive building already fascinated the German author and fighter for democracy, Kurt Tucholsky. It inspired him to one of his major and best-known novels: Castle Gripsholm. We cycle past his grave along lake Mälar to Taxinge, a lovely property, popular above all for its tempting cake buffet. Then we enjoy the last kilometers of our bike tour. From Nykvarn the train takes us in about 30 minutes back to Stockholm where the hotel and our farewell dinner await us.
Overnight in Stockholm
Day 8: Stockholm and departure
In the morning we experience Stockholm from a different perspective. On a two-hour boat trip, according to the motto "Under the bridges of Stockholm," we better understand the symbiotic relationship between the city and the surrounding water. Our tour through central Sweden ends around noon. From Stockholm’s main railroad station you reach Arlanda Airport by train or bus in 20 to 45 minutes, respectively (not included in the tour price).
Maps reflect your approximate overnight locations and do not reflect your actual cycling route.
