Five road trips for the summer

Sometimes you become blind to what’s close to home and overlook the destinations right on your doorstep. Here, we’ve gathered a selection of summer gems, starting in southern Sweden and heading north, with a short detour into our neighbouring country, Norway. Hopefully, you’ll find a little inspiration for this summer’s rides.

Österlen

Österlen is an area in south-eastern Skåne characterised by short distances and a dense network of small roads. There is plenty to see and do, making it easy to plan day trips, and you can move between the coast and the inland countryside without covering long stretches.

Cosy cafés, eateries, farm shops and places to stay are scattered throughout Österlen.

Kiviks Musteri

Kiviks Musteri is located just north of Kivik. Here you’ll find a shop, café, exhibitions and surrounding orchards. It’s an easy stop to include on a day ride along the coastal and inland roads. You can browse a wide selection of juices, ciders and other drinks produced on site. Why not sample a range of local Skåne ciders at a guided tasting?

Glimmingehus

For those with an interest in history, Glimmingehus – the best-preserved medieval castle in the Nordic region – makes for a fascinating visit. The castle was built in 1499 by the Danish knight Jens Holgersen Ulfstand, at a time when Skåne still belonged to Denmark. You can explore the castle’s many rooms and halls either on your own or as part of a guided tour.

Castles and fortresses are classic settings for ghost stories, and Glimmingehus is also internationally known as a haunted site – which may make a guided visit the safest option.

Ystad

Ystad is a charming town with origins dating back to the 13th century, often described as a well-preserved historic place with strong medieval roots.

The town is frequently associated with the Hanseatic period due to its early role as a trading hub. Ystad is large enough to offer a good selection of cafés, restaurants and accommodation, yet compact enough to be easy to get around.

Many scenes from the Wallander productions were filmed here, and in and around Ystad you’ll also find several local beer and drinks producers for those with an interest in that side of things.

Accommodation

Österlen offers accommodation across a wide range of budgets, from simple guesthouses to hotels and rural farm stays. Simrishamn and Ystad both work well as bases, with easy access to coastal and inland roads, as well as plenty of cosy cafés and restaurants. Breaded plaice is considered a classic dish along the Skåne east coast, and Simrishamn is one of the places where it truly belongs.

Höga Kusten

Höga Kusten is a coastal and natural landscape in Västernorrland County. The area has no formal boundaries, but is defined by its dramatic cliffs, steep escarpments and rugged mountains.

Most people probably associate the High Coast with its iconic bridge, but there are many interesting places to visit here beyond that single landmark.

Skuleberget

Skuleberget is located just outside Docksta and rises 295 metres above the nearby sea. The mountain drops almost vertically on the side facing the European route, and visitors have the option of ascending via a via ferrata climbing route.

No prior experience is required, and you can choose between routes of varying difficulty. Do note that you’ll need to change into footwear other than your motorcycle boots; suitable shoes are available to hire if you haven’t brought any lightweight ones with you.

It’s also possible to reach the summit via the Skuleberget cable car. At the top, you can wander around, enjoy a waffle, and take in the views.

Mannaminne

Mannaminne is located in the village of Häggvik on the Nordingrå Peninsula and is a stop that deserves some time. It is a kind of living village where there is always something intriguing to discover – not only the permanent installations, but also concerts, temporary exhibitions, festivals and much more.

The on-site inn serves coffee and light meals. There is also a hotel where you stay right in the middle of a work of art, several bed-and-breakfast rooms, three overnight cabins, and a craft shop featuring local arts and crafts.

Mäjasjöns fäbodar

At Mäjasjön’s summer farms, there is a simple lakeside rest area. It’s a perfect place to stop for a break and a swim, or to enjoy a packed lunch before continuing towards the coast or further inland.

Accommodation near the Höga Kustenbron

If you want to stay close to the High Coast Bridge, there are accommodation options on both sides of the river. On the western side, you’ll find places to stay across a range of budgets, as well as opportunities for swimming. On the eastern side is Hotell Höga Kusten. The location works well as a base for day trips in several different directions.

Dalarna

Dalarna is perhaps best known for its red wooden cottages, the iconic Dala horses, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Falu Copper Mine.

Beyond its rich cultural life, the county is made up of around 70 per cent forest, 6,300 lakes, three national parks, 150 nature reserves, and Sweden’s southernmost mountain area with an active Sámi community. It is also home to Sweden’s highest waterfall, Njupeskär, located in Fulufjället. Fulufjället is also where the world’s oldest known tree grows, estimated to be around 9,550 years old.

Mora

There are plenty of cafés and restaurants here. If you’d like to linger for a while, the Zorn Museum and the area around Saxviken are both easy to reach before continuing your ride.

Why not also take the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of your forefathers beneath the classic finish-line portal in Mora – it’s there all year round.

Siljansbygden

Riding a full loop around Lake Siljan on the smaller roads is always a pleasant experience.

Fryksås

The Fryksås summer farms are located above Orsa and form one of Sweden’s largest and oldest traditional fäbod environments, reached via narrow roads through forested countryside. From here, you get sweeping views over Lake Siljan and food of a very high standard. It works well as either a turning point or a rest stop on a day ride.

Accommodation

In and around Orsa and Mora, there is accommodation to suit a range of budgets, from hotels to cabins and hostels. The location makes it easy to ride day trips around Lake Siljan, Älvdalen and the mountain-adjacent areas in the northern parts of Dalarna.

Värmland

Värmland is a historic province in west-central Sweden, known for its deep forests, abundant waterways, the Klarälven, and vast, unspoilt wilderness.

Bordering Norway to the west, the region is shaped by culture, its mining-district heritage, and a strong storytelling tradition. It is often described as a land of tales, legends and folklore.

Fryksdalen

The Fryken lake system runs through much of the area and forms a natural corridor for riding. The roads follow the shape of the lakes and link Sunne with places such as Lysvik and Torsby, offering a mix of more open stretches and sections winding through forested scenery.

Mårbacka

Mårbacka is best known as the home and source of inspiration of Selma Lagerlöf, but the estate is also set within a beautiful and well-preserved cultural landscape. Visitors from many countries come here to explore the house and gardens, with their orchards, kitchen garden and perennial flower beds.

Rottneros

Rottneros is located just south of Sunne and is reached via smaller roads along the Fryken lakes. Here you’ll find Rottneros Park, a flower and sculpture park inspired by the great formal gardens of Europe. You can enjoy a coffee among flowers and sculptures, buy something tasty at the garden café, or bring your own picnic to enjoy in the park. There’s no need to purchase an entrance ticket to the park if you’re only stopping for refreshments or shopping.

Värmskogs Café

At Värmskogs Café, you’ll be served freshly brewed coffee, excellent prawn sandwiches, cakes and pastries, ice cream, light meals and much more. There is plenty of seating available, both indoors and outdoors.

For those who feel like staying overnight, there is also Värmskogs Vandrarhem.

Accommodation

In and around Sunne, there is accommodation to suit a range of budgets, from hotels to smaller guesthouses and cabins. The location makes it easy to combine your stay with day rides in several different directions. If you’re looking to treat yourself, you can unwind at Selma Spa in Sunne.

Norway – Telemark (Dalen and Rjukan)

Telemark lies south-west of Oslo and is largely made up of forests, lakes and rolling inland terrain.

The road network is dominated by smaller country roads that follow the contours of the landscape, shifting between valleys and more open stretches. Distances between towns are manageable, making the area well suited to day stages.

Telemark often sits slightly outside Norway’s most well-known destinations, yet offers plenty of riding without ever feeling overcrowded.

Dalen

Dalen is located at the western end of the Telemark Canal and works well as either a base or a stopover in western Telemark. The village itself is small, but its position on Lake Bandak makes it a natural hub. Several smaller roads lead onwards towards Fyresdal, Kviteseid and further into the inland areas.

Here you’ll find the harbour area by the canal, where you can watch boat traffic passing through the lock system. Dalen is a good choice if you’re looking for a quiet starting point for day rides.

Rjukan

Rjukan has a very different character and works more as a destination in its own right. The town developed as an industrial community around the expansion of hydropower in the early 20th century, and much of that history is still clearly reflected in its surroundings.

Here you’ll find Vemork, home to the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum and the former heavy water plant, as well as Rjukanfossen.

From Rjukan, it’s also possible to reach the mountain plateau via the Krossobanen, which leads towards Hardangervidda and the area around Gaustatoppen. Rjukan works well as a base if you want to ride in the northern parts of Telemark or combine inland roads with more alpine surroundings.

Telemark Canal

The Telemark Canal runs right across the region, linking several towns via lakes and lock systems. Even if you don’t follow the canal all the way, it often appears as a natural point of reference during your ride and works well as a planned stop along the route.

Accommodation

In both Dalen and Rjukan, there is accommodation across a range of budgets, from simple guesthouses to larger hotels. Dalen is a good choice if you’re looking for a quiet place to stay while riding in multiple directions, whereas Rjukan offers a wider range of services and more options if you plan to stay for several days.