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Four islands to discover on your next cycling holiday.

Cycle on islands in West Sweden’s archipelago

Exploring the archipelago from the saddle is a fantastic way to see it. Here are some of the loveliest islands to explore by bike, with sweeping sea views, picturesque fishing villages, and charming small towns along the way.

The cycle paths on the island of Tjörn provide lots of lovely shoreline views

1. Tjörn – the family friendly cycling island

Tjörn is a great island for cycling, with

Tjörn is a wonderful island to explore by bike, with scenic roads and an abundance of swimming spots, good food, and art. Its cycle paths offer safe and varied riding on asphalt, packed gravel, and other cycle-friendly surfaces.

its scenic roads and constant proximity to dips in the sea, delicious food and art. The island’s cycle paths offer safe, exciting and varied rides on asphalt, packed gravel or other cycle friendly surfaces. 

Tjörn is always great for cycling whatever the time of year.

Stop for a fika at Lottas Bak och Form.

Nature and culture are always close by

One of the best things about cycling on Tjörn is that there is always something new nearby, which makes it ideal if you’re not one to linger. The stops are close together, whether you’re in the mood for a cosy fika, an art experience, or simply a flat rock where you can rest your legs for a while.

Some places to make a note of when you plan your cycle trip:

  • Skulptur i Pilane is one of Sweden's most spectacular sculpture parks, where contemporary art stands among grazing sheep in a dramatic coastal landscape. The park is open from late spring until late summer, with the scenery changing beautifully as the season progresses.  
  • The Nordic Watercolour Museum is an art gallery whose foundations quite literally dip into the sea. There are always exciting exhibitions to discover, but don’t forget to cross the bridge to the small islands opposite, where you can look back across the water towards the pretty town of Skärhamn. 
  • Lottas Bak och Form is a picturesque bakery and café in what may well be one of the sunniest spots on Tjörn. Choose whatever takes your fancy from the menu—it’s all delicious—and enjoy it on the terrace overlooking the sparkling water. 
  • Salt & Sill is a hotel right on the water, where you can stop for a tasty lunch or stay overnight and make rather more of the sea views.  

Cycling on Tjörn

The sun is often out when you cycle the scenic Koster Islands.

2. Koster – the holiday paradise on the West Coast

The Koster Islands lie just west of Strömstad and are easily reached on the Kosterbåtarna ferries. South Koster has a small network of cycle-friendly roads that makes for a leisurely ride around the island. Much of the route follows almost entirely car-free gravel roads, and you can always leave the bike for a while to explore one of the island’s scenic walking trails.

South Koster is great for exploring by bike

Enjoy delicious flavours at Kläpphagen.

Lovely cycle trails with minimal traffic

To avoid the crowds, we recommend cycling on South Koster in late spring, when the trees are coming into leaf and the evenings are growing lighter, or towards the end of summer, once most of the season’s visitors have left the island.

 

Tips for experiences on Koster:

  • Naturum Kosterhavet, right next to Ekenäs harbour, where you can discover life under the surface at the visitor centre, gently handle starfish, and join a beach excursion.
  • Kläpphagen Koster, a unique restaurant where most of the menu is cooked over an open fire. Kläpphagen also offers cosy boutique bed & breakfast accommodation.
  • North Koster. Take the small ferry across to North Koster, which is best explored on foot. When hunger strikes, stop for something to eat at Kosterhavets Ekobod.
  • Explore the islands and surrounding waters with Koster Adventures.
  • Enjoy the sunset from Valfjäll, South Koster’s highest point, which is more or less at the centre of the island. Park your bike at the foot and climb the steps and path leading up to the top of the hill.

Cycling on Koster

Did you know that there are some lovely cycle paths in Gothenburg’s archipelago?

3. The Öckerö islands – Gothenburg’s archipelago on two wheels

Gothenburg’s northern archipelago is made for cycling. Dedicated cycle paths, very little traffic, and mostly paved roads make it ideal for the whole family. The easiest option is to travel to the islands by public transport and hire bikes once you arrive.

Pretty Bed & Bike Öckerö.

There’s always something tasty on the menu at Lilling Cottage.

Cycle around the islands and enjoy great food

The municipality of Öckerö consists of ten inhabited islands, including Hönö, Öckerö, Björkö, Hälsö, Rörö, Hyppeln, and Knippla. Needless to say, the sea is never far away, and bridges and ferries make it easy to explore several of the islands by bike.

Tips for lovely places to visit in the Öckerö Islands

  • Hönö Klåva is a lively harbour with plenty of restaurants and places to stay. Don’t miss trendy Lilling Cottage, Tullhusetseafood restaurant, dog-friendly Franses Skärgårdspub, or comfortable Skärgårdshotellet Hönö. 
  • Nimbus Öckerö combines accommodation and a restaurant, and you can also book its sauna right beside the sea. Doesn’t that sound cosy? 
  • Björkö is a perfect island for anyone cycling with children. Stay for lunch at lovely Seaside Björkö.  
  • Bed & Bike Öckerö does exactly what it says. You can hire bikes and stay overnight here—it could hardly be more convenient. 

Cycling on the Öckerö islands

The Lake Vänern archipelago around Brommö has a real West Coast feel.

4. Brommö – a paradise island for cyclists

Brommö is a relatively undiscovered island in Lake Vänern, just north of Mariestad. To get there, cross the bridge to Torsö, then take the Brommö ferry, which reaches the island in just a couple of minutes. Once there, a 16-kilometre cycle route awaits, with plenty of lovely places to stop along the way.

Pretty gravel roads to cycle on.

Don’t forget to pack your swimming gear.

You’re never far from the next swimming spot

As soon as you arrive on Brommö with your bike, you’ll notice how peaceful and beautiful the island is. There are no shops, kiosks, or restaurants, so pack a picnic full of good things before setting off. In late summer and autumn, the woods are often full of berries and mushrooms. In addition to the cycle route, the island also has a lovely walking trail and several composting toilets.

Some of the most scenic spots on Brommö:

  • Store Vite Sand and Rövarsand, are two of the islands Loveliest beaches, both on Brömmö's northern coast.
  • Rukehamn. At low tide, leave your bike here and wade across to pretty Hovden, where you’ll find several lovely places to swim.
  • Sandvik is another of Brommö’s gorgeous sandy beaches. Don’t miss the walk out to Knipekulten, where you’ll be rewarded with a magical view across Lake Vänern.
  • Laxhall Hamnkrog is right by the ferry landing on Torsö. Why not book a table, or even accommodation, for when you return from your cycle ride?

Cycling on Brommö

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Last updated on: 20 February 2017