Sweden’s West Coast: Helsingborg to Gothenburg

Day 1: Arrival and overnight stay in Helsingborg

Check in to the centrally located hotel. Hopefully, you will have time for some sightseeing in this beautiful, medieval town by the ocean.

Day 2: Helsingborg–Ängelholm
31-39 miles/49-62 km

This part of Kattegattleden offers a lovely coastal tour with staggering views of Öresund and out to Danish Zealand. You’ll start your journey in Helsingborg, passing Sofiero Castle with its’ stunning garden–nominated the most beautiful in Europe in 2010. The route continues up towards Höganäs and out to the gorgeous, rocky landscape of the Kullahalvön peninsula.

On the furthest tip of Kullahalvön is the Kullaberg Nature Reserve. If you have time for a detour from the path, it’s well worth a visit. As you continue, you will soon reach Höganäs, where farm shops and tasty food are distinguishing features. Some of Skåne’s finest vineyards are also located here. Why not stop for some treats and enjoy a picnic along the way, if the weather allows? The tour continues around the beautiful, dramatic Kullahalvön peninsula, towards the 500-year-old town of Ängelholm, your destination for the day

Note: Possible to shorten to 46 km, by leaving the path and bike approximately 10 km on a minor road with little traffic between Höganäs and Jonstorp.

Day 3: Ängelholm–Halmstad
26, 37, 47, or 58 miles/41, 60, 75, or 94 km

From Ängelholm, Kattegattleden continues along the coast before the path departs and you will cut across the peninsula, into the heart of Bjäre. The climb will be gentle at first but soon becomes steeper. You are now proceeding into a modern agricultural setting, and will gradually reach the small-scale agricultural countryside that has been based on livestock since prehistoric times and is typical of Bjärehalvön.

After a thrilling ride down the ridge, the stretch concludes in the entertainment metropolis of Båstad. A few KM after Båstad, you and your bike can catch the train to Halmstad(this opinion is 37 miles/60km). Train price per adult + bike, approx €10-20. Trains run regularly. Bikes according to space available on train. Or Shortening this day’s cycling to 26 miles/41 km is possible by skipping Bjäre peninsula.

If you want to bike from Ängelholm to Halmstad without the train, the total stretch is 94 km, or 75 km by taking a shortcut and skipping Bjäre peninsula. After Båstad, the route continues along one of the longest sandy beaches in Sweden and then makes a turn inland towards the nature reserves of Gullbränna and and Tönnersa. Short after this you will reach Halmstad and the route will take you through the city center.

Day 4: Halmstad–Falkenberg
35 miles/57 km

From Halmstad city the ride will continue west, towards one of the most beloved beaches of the west coast, Tylösand, followed by the beaches of Frösakull, Ringenäs, and Vilshärad. After this, the path turns towards the east and connects to Kustvägen, the coast road.

Along the way, you’ll pass several beautiful nature reserves with unique beach meadows both before and after the charming village of Steninge. Near Steninge beach the landscape will change from barren and stony into a lush agricultural setting, guiding you to your overnight destination of Falkenberg.

Day 5: Falkenberg–Varberg
24 miles/39 km

The route continues through the town of Falkenberg, one of the oldest of Hallands’medieval towns. As you are getting closer to Varberg, the final destination of the day, you’ll pass Apelviken, a beach that attracts windsurfers from all over Europe. A short ride away the Varberg Fortress will tower before you, well worth a visit. You can bike all the way up to the fortress if you are up for a challenge. Or, make a visit to Societetsparken instead and take a well-deserved rest in the shade of the leafy trees.

Day 6: Varberg–Kungsbacka
31-45 miles/50-72 km

North of Varberg, the scenery changes – sandy beaches become rocky cliffs and the first islands begin to appear, like Getterön, Balgö and Vendelsö. Further on you will get to a quiet stretch along the ocean and the beautiful beaches of Åsa. Further up the route we recommend a small detour to visit Tjolöholm Castle, Sweden’s only Tudor castle, before continuing to Kungsbacka. the final stop for today and one of the largest trade centres in western Sweden. Possible to shorten to 50 km, by biking Varberg to Åsa + train Åsa to Kungsbacka.

A nice detour of the official Kattegattleden path is to bike to Fjärås Bräcka, famous for its 100 standing stones at the Li grave field. The route continues on small roads along fields and horse pastures until you reach Kungsbacka, This route is not signposted so you’ll have to check the map or follow the gpx track of “2018 old stretch” tot 75 km.

Day 7: Kungsbacka–Göteborg
26-39 miles/41-63 km

This last stretch of the route runs along the Kungsbacka fjord, back towards the ocean. You’ll pass the small seaside village of Särö, where royalty and the Gothenburg society met up for amusement in the early twentieth century. The trail continues along cliffs, lush forests, bays, and small harbors, offering plenty of places to swim or just relax.

As you approach central Gothenburg, you will pass Nya Varvet and the Klippan Culture Reserve and continue along Göta älv until you reach your final destination: the Göteborg Opera and the Lilla Bommen harbor. Welcome to Gothenburg!

Note: possible to shorten to 26 miles/41 km by skipping the Onsala peninsula.

Day 8: Tour ends after breakfast or extension

Your tour along Kattegattleden ends after breakfast or book extra nights to continue exploring Gothenburg.