Värmland tour

Bike Tour Värmland

This one week self-led bicycle tour goes through the Swedish province of Värmland in the western part of Sweden. Sweden as in a picture book. Red log cabins and old mansions between forests, lakes and rivers. Parts of the tour follow the famous Klarälvsbanan, a 90 kilometre long asphalted cycle lane that has been build on top of an old railroad embankment from the 19th century. Cultural sights like the birthplace of the famous writer Selma Lagerlöf and stunning nature await you on this tour.

The daily distances vary between 20 and 60 kilometres. You need an average to good fitness level. For most parts of the tour you bike on asphalt roads but even gravel roads are part of the tour. The exact route of some hops is variable and can be extended according to your wishes and fitness level.

Accommodation and provision

The nights you spend in hostels, bed & breakfasts or familial hotels. Breakfast and dinner is served at the accommodation. If wished, you can book a lunch package, which means you get a packed lunch from the hostels or pack a lunch yourself from the breakfast buffet.

The detailed program

Day 1: 22 km
The tour starts in Stömne, a small village outside of Arvika (alternatively it’s possible to start in Arvika). In Brunskog, the destination of the starting day, you have the possibility to visit a typical Swedish hembygdsgård (community centre) where you can view over 40 buildings such as provision-sheds, flax sauna, smithies, schoolhouse, handicraft barn, farm-hands’ quarters, tenement soldier’s cottage and a hundred year old shop, where traditional objects and local handicrafts still are sold. You spend the night south of Brunskog at Sandvikengården, which is located directly by Lake Värmeln.

Day 2: 49 km
The second day is the most challenging part of the tour. You cross the Fryksdalsjöjden, a small mountain range. The views over the valley Frykendal and Lake Fryken make up for the straining up-hill rides.

Day 3: 24 km
You start the day by going further north along the west shore of Lake Fryken until you reach Sunne. Thereafter you bike southwards on the eastern side of the lake to Östra Ämtervik, to Gunnerudsgården. The distance from Rottneros to Östra Ämtervik is quite short which gives you time for sightseeing along the way. In Rottneros you can visit the Rottneros Park, an old herrgård (mansion) with a flower and sculpture park. On the eastern side of Lake Fryken you find Mårbacka, the former home of the Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf who wrote Gösta Berling’s saga, Jerusalem and The wonderful adventures of Nils. During summer you can visit the house and garden every day. Sunne offers additional possibilities for activities and sightseeing.

Day 4: 60 km
The destination of the longest hop is Råda, close to Uddeholm. In this area the Swedish Rally takes place every other year. At Björns Wärdshus, the accommodation, you can visit the Predator Centre – The Big Four, where you can learn about the four largest predators that live in Sweden: wolf, lynx, bear and wolverine.

Day 5: 25 km
The next day leads along the Klarälvsbanan. From north to south the landscape changes from forests to agricultural land. Klarälvsbanan runs next to the river Klarälven, the last river in Sweden that was used for timber rafting. You stay at Munkfors Hotell.

Day 6: 54 km
You continue on Klarälvsbanan. In the area of Forshaga several memorials remind of the old railroad. The target of the day is Fryksta, located on the southern end of Lake Nedre Fryken. Here you have the possibility to go on a ride on the old steamboat Freja which lay on the bottom of Lake Fryken for 98 years. After expensive renovations the boat is touring again. The accommodation is the cosy Bed & Breakfast Sköna Rum.

Day 7: 40 km
Mainly through forests and along lakes the way leads you to Borgvik. There you can view ruins of an old factory. The iron that was used to build the Eifel tower in Paris is from this region. Overnight stay at Kungskvarnen.

Day 8: 50 km
On the last day you bike back to the starting point of the tour.

Included services

7 nights in hotels, bed & breakfasts or hostels including
7 x breakfast
7 x dinner
Bed sheets
Towels
Final cleanings at accommodations
Maps and information

Prices

Accomodation in double room 6875,00 SEK per person, included bicycle
Accomodation un single room: 8500,00 SEK per person, included bicycle
Lunch packages for the whole tour: 625,00 SEK per person

Additional information

Start is possible every day from June until September on request.
Baggage transfer is possible on request and additional payment.
Lunch package can be booked additionally.