Sweden’s West Coast: Helsingborg to Gothenburg

4.8/5 (8)
7 nights
40 miles/day
Self guided from EUR € 930
Bike tour in Sweden
Rider Level: Active

Sweden’s West Coast: Helsingborg to Gothenburg

4.8/5 (8)

Rider Level: Active

7 nights
40 miles/day

Self guided from EUR € 930
Bike tour in Sweden

Tap above to jump to different sections of this tour

  • Sweden’s West Coast

    The Kattegattleden (pronounced kat-i-gat-led-in) – Sweden’s first national bicycle route – runs along the west coast between Helsingborg to Gothenburg. You’ll ride through fantastic coastal nature, overlooking wonderful sandy beaches and gorgeous viewpoints, through picturesque fishing villages and charming cities.

    You will pass several historical sites and interesting destinations, all well worth a visit. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants lining the entire route to stop for lunch and coffee breaks throughout your ride!

    • Shrimp salad in Stockholm, Sweden. Jonathan Grado@Flickr
    • Helsingborg, Sweden. Rminedaisy@Unsplash
    • Sweden’s West Coast: Helsingborg to Gothenburg Bike Tour
    • Gothenburg, Sweden dining. Maria Eklind@Flickr
    • Varberg, Sweden. Vidar Nordli-Mathisen@Unsplash
    • Beach in Halmstad, Sweden. Kuster & Wildhaber Photography@Flickr
    • Whiskey tasting with Swedish Whiskey Mackmyra! Dominic Lockyer@Flickr
    • German Church in Gothenburg, Sweden. CC:Amjad Sheikh

    View more photos

    Highlights

    • Medieval village of Helsingborg
    • Sofiero Castle
    • Kullaberg Nature Reserve
    • Varberg Fortress
    • Beautiful beaches of Åsa
    • Tjolöholm Castle
    • Klippan Culture Reserve

    Learn More

    Learn more about self-guided tours.

  • CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Kullaberg Nature Reserve in Sweden. Maria Eklind@Flickr' data-type='image'> Kullaberg Nature Reserve in Sweden. Maria Eklind@Flickr
    CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Falkenberg, Halland, Sweden. Anders P@Flickr' data-type='image'> Falkenberg, Halland, Sweden. Anders P@Flickr
    CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Jacob Hansen's old house in Helsingborg, Sweden. CC:Jsdo1980' data-type='image'> Jacob Hansen's old house in Helsingborg, Sweden. CC:Jsdo1980
    CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Shrimp salad in Stockholm, Sweden. Jonathan Grado@Flickr' data-type='image'> Shrimp salad in Stockholm, Sweden. Jonathan Grado@Flickr
    CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Gothenburg, Sweden dining. Maria Eklind@Flickr' data-type='image'> Gothenburg, Sweden dining. Maria Eklind@Flickr
    CC-BY-ND-2.0 - Beach in Halmstad, Sweden. Kuster & Wildhaber Photography@Flickr' data-type='image'> Beach in Halmstad, Sweden. Kuster & Wildhaber Photography@Flickr
    CC-BY-2.0 - Whiskey tasting with Swedish Whiskey Mackmyra! Dominic Lockyer@Flickr' data-type='image'> Whiskey tasting with Swedish Whiskey Mackmyra! Dominic Lockyer@Flickr
    CC-BY-SA-4.0 - German Church in Gothenburg, Sweden. CC:Amjad Sheikh' data-type='image'> German Church in Gothenburg, Sweden. CC:Amjad Sheikh
    GFDL - Swedish Meatballs! CC:Ralf Roletschek' data-type='image'> Swedish Meatballs! CC:Ralf Roletschek
    CC-BY-2.0 - Fruit with Swedish pancake! Janet Hudson@Flickr' data-type='image'> Fruit with Swedish pancake! Janet Hudson@Flickr
    CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Kullaberg Nature Reserve in Sweden. Maria Eklind@Flickr' data-type='image'> Kullaberg Nature Reserve in Sweden. Maria Eklind@Flickr
    CC-BY-ND-2.0 - Fried Baltic Herring with lingonberry jam in Sweden! Erik Anestrad@Flickr' data-type='image'> Fried Baltic Herring with lingonberry jam in Sweden! Erik Anestrad@Flickr
    CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Swedish countryside! CC:Jorchr' data-type='image'> Swedish countryside! CC:Jorchr
    CC-BY-SA-2.5 - Smörgåsbord - a Swedish buffet-style meal. CC:Magnus Fröderberg/norden.org' data-type='image'> Smörgåsbord - a Swedish buffet-style meal. CC:Magnus Fröderberg/norden.org
    CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Halmstad, Sweden. CC:Boberger' data-type='image'> Halmstad, Sweden. CC:Boberger
    CC0 - Varberg, Sweden. CC:Wolfgangus Mozart' data-type='image'> Varberg, Sweden. CC:Wolfgangus Mozart
    CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Ravioli in Malmo, Sweden. Maria Eklind@Flickr' data-type='image'> Ravioli in Malmo, Sweden. Maria Eklind@Flickr

    Sweden’s West Coast

     Tour Description Daily Program 

  • Daily program

    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 tour to 31 miles/49 km, by leaving the path and biking approximately 6 miles/10 km on a minor road with little traffic between Höganäs and Jonstorp.

    Day 3: Ängelholm–Halmstad (26, 37, or 58 miles/41, 60, 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. 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 Tönnersa. Short after this, the route will take you through the city centre of your overnight destination of Halmstad.

    Note: It is possible to shorten this day’s cycling to 26 miles/41 km by skipping Bjäre peninsula. It’s also an option to lengthen today’s cycling to 58 miles/94 km by skipping the train and riding the full way to Halmstad. This day is flexible for you!

    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. From Åsa, you have the option to take the train to Kungsbacka or continue cycling.

    The route continues on small roads along fields and horse pastures until you reach Kungsbacka. Further up the route, we recommend a small detour to visit Tjolöholm Castle, Sweden’s only Tudor castle. Along this same detour off the official Kattegattleden path is Fjärås Bräcka, famous for its 100 standing stones at the Li grave field. Then continue to Kungsbacka, the final stop for today and one of the largest trade centers in western Sweden.

    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 harbours, 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 harbour. 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.

    Surface and terrain

    The Kattegattleden is a sign-posted, mostly on asphalted cycle paths, some parts on are on minor roads with little or no traffic. Additionally, some sections may have gravel paths.


    Hotels

    The following hotels are provided only as samples and may vary based on availability.

    3 & 4 star hotels:

    Elite Hotell Mollberg, Helsingborg
    www.elite.se
    or
    Elite Hotel Marina Plaza, Helsingborg
    www.elite.se

    Best Western Plus Hus 57, Ängelholm
    www.hus57.se

    Best Western Plus Grand Hotel, Halmstad
    www.grandhotel.nu

    Grand Hotel, Falkenberg
    www.grandhotelfalkenberg.se
    or
    Gits Gård Hotel, Falkenberg
    www.gitsgard.se

    Varbergs Stadshotell & Asia Spa*, Varberg
    www.varbergsstadshotell.com

    Hotell Halland, Kungsbacka
    www.hotellhalland.se

    Comfort hotel Göteborg, Göteborg
    www.nordicchoicehotels.se

    *Spa services are not included, can be booked at arrival and paid to hotel


    How to get there

    Tour start
    Nearest airport: Copenhagen (CPH) airport
    Nearest train station: Helsingborg

    You can fly to Copenhagen and catch a train to Helsingborg. Train between the airport and Helsingborg run regularly and takes 1h–1h 30 minutes and the cost is about 25 EUR.

    Tour end
    Nearest airport: Stockholm (ARN) or Copenhagen (CPH) airport
    Nearest train station: Gothenburg

    Tips on getting to and from your tour


    Sweden’s West Coast

     Tour Photos Dates & Prices 

  • Dates

    Daily: May 1 - Sep 30, 2024

    Season 1: May 01, 2024 - Jun 20, 2024; Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 30, 2024

    Season 2: Jun 21, 2024 - Aug 31, 2024

    Prices

    Tour package

    Season 1 Season 2
    Per person, double occupancy €930 €1075
    Single use room (1 person/1 room) €1280 €1425
    Solo traveler (1 person in party with single use room) €1480 €1625

    *Triple room available upon request, please contact us for more details

    Bike Rentals

    Touring bike, 24-speed €140
    Electrically assisted bike €250
    Gravel bike €190
    Helmet €10
    Transporter for children Price on request
    Childrens’ bike Price on request

    Extra Nights, Helsingborg

    Per person, double occupancy €75
    Single room (1 person/1 room) €135

    Extra Nights, Goteborg

    Per person, double occupancy €80
    Single room (1 person/1 room) €130

    Transfer

    Gothenburg to Helsingborg (per vehicle, 1-4 persons) €285
    Gothenburg to Helsingborg (shared, per person)* €90

    *available on Mondays only

    Discounts

    Per person, ages 0-5 (sharing a room with 2 full-paying adults) 100%
    Per person, ages 6-13 (sharing a room with 2 full-paying adults) 50%
    Per person, ages 7-14 (sharing a room with 2 full-paying adults) 25%

    Included services

    • 7 nights accommodation
    • Breakfast buffet
    • Daily luggage transfer between hotels
    • Detailed travel information (detailed maps, route description, and tour information)
    • Service hotline in case of problems or questions
    • GPS tracks available (upon request)

    Bike rentals

    Bikes available on this tour (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):

    • Touring bikes, 24-speed Cube Nature Allroad or similar
    • Gravel bikes, 22-speed Cube Nuroad Race FE or similar
    • Electric bikes*, Cube Nuride Standard, Scott Sub Tour eRide or similar

    *More about electrically-assisted bikes >

    All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:

    • Saddlebag, rear
    • Repair kit
    • Bike lock

    Pedals:
    The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

    Helmets:
    Helmets are not included with the bike rentals. You can rent a helmet for €10. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.


    Tour Company


    Sweden’s West Coast

     Daily program Tour Reviews 

    • Rob Luken 6 months ago

      Our first cycling vacation

      This was our first cycling vacation and the beautiful Sweden's West Coast from Helsingborg to Gothenburg trip over six days was fantastic. This is a very well organized trip, with lovely hotels along the way and good instructions with options on how to best enjoy this. The bicycles worked well, as well as the transfer of our luggage to the next hotel. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and even added an additional day at both ends of the trip to fully explore the cities and what it has to offer, which we can recommend.

      What was the date of your tour?
      June 13 to June 20
      How many tours have you completed?
      1, including this one
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat harder
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • Christopher Mauriello September 5, 2022

      Great paced trip

      This trip meets all expectations.
      The trip features a good mix of Swedish shoreline, farms and great towns.
      The Kathegattleden trail is well marked and mostly paved but made much easier to navigate with the GPS app.
      Very little road riding but where it exists is very little traffic. Totally recommend a night or two on Copenhagen at the end of the trip which is also a great place to bike.

      What was the date of your tour?
      Sept. 2022
      How many tours have you completed?
      6
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Kevin Rudd August 24, 2022

      Could have been better

      The ride was generally good. The route was relatively remote with few points to stop and places along the route to interact with the citizen of the areas visited. Poor preparation of the e-bikes two of the 6 bikes were not at the pick up location and not properly charged. The first day was difficult riding heavy bikes without power. Very disappointing start to our trip.

      Hotel accommodations were fair. The opening property was excellent, while the balance were two and three star quality properties. That said, all the people at the hotels and the bike rental location were friendly and helpful. I would have welcomed better hotel locations and would be willing to pay more. Self-guided does not need to be budget.

      In general, of the other guided and self-guided rides in Europe this ride was 4th of 4.

      How many tours have you completed?
      4, 2 guided and 2 self-guided
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Do you recommend this tour?
      No
      • 3/5 Value
      • 2/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 2/5 Hotels or boat
      • 3/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 2/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Charles Russo August 5, 2022

      Going Home to the Motherland :)

      The tour was an excellent way to meet people and see the country. We thoroughly enjoyed it!

      What was the date of your tour?
      July 2022
      How many tours have you completed?
      This was my first.
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Emily Eich August 4, 2022

      Kattlegattleden

      Kattlegattleden was such a safe, beautiful, biker friendly trail. Our two favorite towns were Varberg and Falkenberg. If we could we would have stayed in Varberg a second night. Each destination was easy to locate and most days our luggage was waiting for us upon arrival! Everyone we met was kind and patient with us as Americans. Just be warned: don’t try to short cut by taking bikes on the train on a beautiful beach weekend! The one day we wanted to do 40 miles, instead of 60 we waited for 2 trains in Bastad and finally gave up; the train conductors told us there was no way we were getting bikes on!

      What was the date of your tour?
      July 2022
      How many tours have you completed?
      2
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 4/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • David Roberts August 4, 2022

      Great Bike Trip

      Great route - well marked, easy to follow, mostly paths and safe (little "on-road" riding with very light traffic). Easy terrane with very manageable riding distances for most cyclist. Accommodations were clean, comfortable, friendly and above average, although not luxurious. Bikes were good quality and well maintained. Beautiful country and friendly people. I've done more than 20 European cycling tours and I'd rate this as very good value given the modest price point

      What was the date of your tour?
      July 2022
      How many tours have you completed?
      20
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat easier
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Daniel Harrison August 4, 2022

      Beautiful Bicycling

      I used BikeTours.com to book a memorable six-day, self-guided bicycling vacation in Sweden, where four members of my family travelled in late July 2022. The tour, named “Sweden’s West Coast: Helsingborg to Gothenburg,” provides a nice introduction to Sweden’s rural areas, towns, and the city of Gothenburg. Throughout our 242-mile journey, I was reminded of a popular nursery rhyme that begins “Jack be nimble, Jack be quick,” thanks to the excellent pre-trip support provided by our bikeTours.com trip consultant, Kirsten.

      Kirsten used her nimble planning skills to help us avoid unexpected logistical challenges with our tour. Multi-day concerts in Gothenburg meant most hotel rooms were booked well in advance, and Kirsten worked with us to devise alternative travel dates that made this trip feasible and affordable, with roofs over our heads. We spent each night in a different hotel, and check-in was always easy.

      She was quick to respond to my inquiries on a variety of issues, including preferred types of bicycles, location of our hotels, desire for non-smoking rooms, and access to map routes.

      The nursery rhyme ends with these words: “Jack jump over the candlestick.” On our bicycling vacation, we jumped numerous steams and other bodies of water on the well-maintained bridges on the national bike trail, the Kattegattleden. Mostly flat, the route is typically separate from roads, and traverses farmland and charming seaside towns along a pristine coast, ending each day’s journey at a centrally-located hotel.

      The final word in the rhyme is “candlesticks.” The design of many restaurants and hotels included lit candles, and contributed to the Scandinavian “hygge” lifestyle. The staff at places where we stayed and dined were welcoming and efficient, though none could hold a candle to the excellent service provided by Kirsten. (DH)

      What was the date of your tour?
      July 2022
      How many tours have you completed?
      8
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 1/5 Guides (if applicable)
    • Keith Raymond August 4, 2022

      A Swedish Delight

      We really enjoyed this late June trip on the west coast of Sweden. It was well organized, very scenic, lovely towns and hotels. Excellent restaurants and beer to be found along the way. Cycling is not difficult. Would recommend.


    Sweden’s West Coast

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