Helsingborg to Gothenburg Cycling Holiday
A cycling adventure along Sweden's picturesque West Coast following the Kattegatleden, a 390km national cycle route between Helsingborg and Gothenburg. The route passes quaint fishing villages and sandy beaches as well as diverting inland at times through peaceful rolling farmland.
This is scenic coastal cycling at its best and you'll soon understand why the Kattegattleden was named "Cycle Route of the Year in Europe" in 2018. You'll stay in pleasant seaside towns and each day will bring beautiful views, fresh sea air and charming villages to explore along the way.
You'll average about 60kms per day over flat to slightly hilly terrain. The route follows bike paths, gravel tracks and quiet lanes with some short sections along slightly busier roads.
This is a leisurely to moderate route and e-bikes are an available option if preferred.
Itinerary
No cycling today so arrive at your leisure and settle into your centrally located hotel. Helsingborg is a a small city with a lively, rejuvenated waterfront area full of quirky restaurants, bars and cafes. We also recommend a stroll up to the ruins of Kärnan castle to enjoy the view across the city.
And so it begins. Your first ride follows the promenade out of Helsingborg northwards. You soon leave the city behind and begin following an idyllic path along the coast. Your route around the Kulla peninsula passes Sofiero Palace with its beautiful gardens and the town of Höganäs well-known for its salt-glazed Höganäs ceramics. For much of today's ride you'll be following a network of quiet lanes and gravel paths beside the Kattegat Sea - your constant companion for most of the week. Your destination is the pleasant little town of Ängelholm.
The above route can be curtailed to 49 km by making a few shortcuts but this means missing out on some truly wonderful views at the tip of the peninsula.
Today's route offers a few choices depending on your fitness levels. The most popular, 60 km option follows the coastline around the beautiful Bjäre peninsula. At the tip of the peninsula you'll reach Torekov, a pleasant fishing village with a nice beach - perfect for a lunch a stop. The route then turn eastwards and leads you along the the northern coast of the peninsula to the seaside resort of Båstad. From here you can catch a commuter train( with your bike - circa 20 euro) up the coast to Halmstad, tonight's stopover point. The town's Västra beach is a nice place to head for a post ride dip if it's warm.
Options: Today's shortest (41km) option follows the route detailed above but misses Torekov by cutting across the peninsula to Båstad - this is really only recommended if you are tired or the weather is inclement as you miss some superb scenery. The longer options (76 or 94 km) entail dispensing with the train altogether and combining one of the aforementioned routes with a ride all the way up the coast to Halmstad.
Today's beautiful route leads you through through lush farmland and nature reserves unveiling more gorgeous beaches and pretty coves along the way. The rolling countryside is dotted with traditional wooden houses and farm buildings usually painted in various shaded of red. If the weather is warm we recommend allowing for some beach time on the lovely Tylösand beach. Your destination today is the fine old medieval town of Falkenberg where you will stop for the night.
Today's route is relatively flat and quite short so there is plenty of time for stops along the way. You'll pass through some small fishing villages and in Träslövsläge you may be tempted to enjoy a lunch of fresh cooked seafood at the superb quayside restaurant - the ice cream parlour is also excellent! You then follow a scenic gravel path beside the Kattegat around the headland to Varberg, your overnight stop. The imposing medieval fortress prison on the town's seafront hosts an interesting museum. It's main, rather ghoulish attraction is a perfectly preserved, 14th century murder victim, dug out of a nearby peat bog in 1936.
On today's route you'll notice a change in the landscape as the dunes and beaches begin to give way to a more rocky coastline. Small islands appear in the sea and the terrain becomes more undulating. The seaside town of Åsa is a good place to stop for lunch and if you've had enough cycling you can opt to jump on the train here with your bike and head straight to Kungsbacka. If you're game for more cycling however then follow the route up the coast, perhaps making a small detour to admire Tjolöholm Castle in its idyllic setting . A few more kilometres of pleasant cycling through open countryside delivers you to the wonderfully named Kungsbacka, a cozy little town where you will stop for the night.
Your final ride starts with a ride along the Kungsbacka fjord and then through some very pleasant countryside which was once the playground of Gothenburg's high society. A wonderful bike path (once an old railway line) then wends its way back to the coast for one last ride beside the Kattegat. You'll pass sheltered bays and quaint little harbours before following the estuary path into the centre of Gothenburg - journey's end. Sweden's second city has a hip and vibrant atmosphere. Stroll the canal lined streets to the 'Kungsportsavenyn', a bar and restaurant lined avenue where you'll find somewhere suitable to celebrate completing your Swedish cycling adventure.
After breakfast it is time to check-out and head for home or your next adventure.
Bikes
The regular bikes provided are comfortable, modern alloy framed touring models with 24 speeds. Electric bikes are also available. All bikes are equipped with a rear pannier, lock and repair kit.
Helmets are not supplied, so you will need to bring your own. It is compulsory.
Regular bike with stepthru frame used on this tour
Regular bike with crossbar frame used on this tour
E-bike used on this tour
Accommodation
Below you will find examples of the accommodations typically used on this tour. Please note that the hotels we book for you may differ slightly from those described but they will certainly be of a similar standard.
Superior: Good quality 3 and 4 star hotels.
Helsingborg: Elite Hotell Mollberg
Ängelholm: Best Western Plus Hus 57
Halmstad: Best Western Plus Grand Hotel
Falkenberg: Hwitan
Varberg: Varbergs Stadshotell & Asia Spa
Kungsbacka: Hotell Halland
Gothenburg: Comfort hotel Göteborg
Getting There
Fly to Copenhagen Airport and then take the train to Helsingborg. The journey time is about 1 hour and costs around 25 euro.
At the end of the holiday take the train from Gothenburg back to Copenhagen for your flight home The journey time is 3.5 hrs and costs about 45 euro.