© 2011 Swedish Cycling, Olsäter Sandbäcken, 669 92 Deje, Sweden, Tel. +46 (0730 527 027, info@swedishcycling.se
Cycling holidays in Sweden
Klarälvsbanan
8 day cycling tour along hotels, lodges and inns
At the end of the 19th Century, there were trains riding straight through the middle
of the Swedish nature areas. Now more than 100 years later the trains have disappeared
and asphalted cycling tracks replace the old train tracks. Here you can enjoy your
bike trip without having to worry about cars.
This cycling tour allows you to bask
in the Swedish nature and culture. On this tour you will enjoy the tranquillity and
vastness of the land as you ride at your own pace to the following destination. Your
baggage will be transferred for you. During the cycling tour you will pass numerous
villages and historical sights. When you feel like resting there are plenty of picnic
spots to accommodate your needs. The accommodations have been carefully chosen to
provide for a family friendly atmosphere. On this trail there are plenty of sights
and activities for the children to enjoy such as: mini-golf, swimming, canoeing,
rock climbing, horse riding etc.
The cycling tour will start in central Värmland
at a place called Forshaga. From here you will cycle onwards to the province capital,
Karlstad. It will then take 3 stages (or days) plus a rest day on 5th day, to reach
Råda which is approx. 90km north of Karlstad. You then turn and head back to Munkfors.
This tour is perfect for young children whether they ride themselves or not. For
the most part you will be cycling on an asphalted trail that is inaccessible for
cars. The traffic is very light for the rest of the trip except at the beginning
of Karlstad city.
Program
Day 1: Arrival in Forshaga.
In the afternoon you arrive in Forshaga where
you will stay at the "Kvarnstorp Herrgård". Here you can rest and recuperate after
you trip and you can get ready for the cycle tour. You may also make a free canoe
trip on the river Klarälven. At the end of the afternoon or beginning of the evening
a guide will discuss the program with you and hand out the hired gear.
Day 2: Stage
1: Forshaga – Karlstad. Approx. 33km.
After breakfast you cycle on the quiet roads
to the province capital, Karlstad. This is a short stage, therefore you have plenty
of opportunity to get to know the city. Karlstad lies on the biggest inland lake
in Europe: “The Vänern”. After the bike ride you can relax in the “Mariebergskogen”,
a beautiful park where you can swim, visit a petting farm or go for a walk. Of course
you may also choose to go shopping, visit one of the many museums or relax at a café.
Overnight stay: Karlstad
Day 3: Stage 2: Karlstad – Dömle Approx. 38km.
You may choose
to spend the morning visiting the shops or going to the big “Bergvik” shopping centre.
When you are ready for the next stage you will ride to the edge of the city where
the “Klarävsbanan” begins. Here you will have the chance to take a quick dip in the
“Kroppkärrssjön” lake. The ride will take you past vast meadows and along the way
you will come across various picnic spots. Before you reach Deje you will pass a
picknic spot along the “Syrsjön” lake. There are also a number of places to have
a coffee in Deje. Just past Deje you will leave the “Klarälvsbanan” to head for your
accommodation. “Herrgård” lies about 3kms from the city centre. Overnight stay: Deje
(Dömle)
Day 4: Stage 3: Dömle – Olsäter. Approx 35km.
When you are ready, you cycle
on quiet roads in south direction. In "Halla" you can meet Santa Claus if you want.
Back in Deje you enter the Klarälvsbanan again. Visit the “Hembygdgård” in Edeby
where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful view. If you choose to go for a walk here,
you will come across animals you wouldn’t expect to find in Scandanavia such as Lama’s.
In “Olsäter” you will come across the local store with diverse items on offer or
you can choose to make another coffee stop. The bed and breakfast is approx. 1 km
north from Olsäter.
Overnight stay: Olsäter
Day 5: Stage 4: Olsäter – Råda. Approx
38km.
The 4th stage is a beautiful ride to Råda which lies on the Råda lake. Along
the way you will pass Munkfors, a small town in the hart on the Värmland province
that is known for its steel industry and culture. You will find the Wild Animal Center
where there is an exhibition on the wild animals in Värmland. At the lake is a sandy
beach where you can go swimming. To finish off the day you can enjoy a Dutch frikandel
or kroket at the local Dutch roadhouse. Overnight stay: Råda
Day 6: Rest day in Råda.
You can choose to enjoy your rest day in any way you fancy. For example you may choose
to smim in the lake or visit the railway museum in Hagfors where you can cycle on
a real railway track on a "dressin". In Råda are lots of activities such as beaver
safaris, mountainbike tours and canoeing.
Overnight stay: Råda
Day 7: Stage 5: Råda
– Munkfors. Approx 37km.
Today we leave the “Klarälvsbanan” and turn back towards
Munkfors. Through beautiful and uncovered side roads, you will first head off in
a northerly direction. At Skoga you will turn and head back down south. On your ride
you may want to visit a icecream farm that you pass along the way. At Sörby you can
make a brief detour to have a swim in the “Lakenesjön” lake. If you didn’t have time
in the 3rd stage to visit the former industrial area “Gamla Bruket”, the sculpture
museum or the Lars Lerin exhibition (a renowned Swedish painter) in Munkfors, then
you now have the opportunity to do so. Overnight stay: Munkfors
Day 8:
If you have
a car in Forshaga. The organisation will pick you up for a transfer to Deje (approx.
45 min.). After the hired gear is handed over and it’s time to say goodbye. Have
a safe trip home and we hope you enjoyed your trip.
Level:
With exception of the last stage, the cycling route is on flat, asphalted roads.
The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stages are almost always on the “Klarälvsbanan”. This cycle
path is free of auto traffic and is therefore suitable for young children. The open
road bike path in the 5th stage is still very good to ride on and there are no major
climbs, only small, short inclinations.
Cost in 2012:
Adults SEK 5750:-
Children up to 12yrs SEK 4475:-
Children up to 1 yrs SEK 420:-
Min.
2 people per booking. On a family room basis: 2-4 people per room
Included:
- 7x accommodation
- bedding
- 7x breakfast
- baggage transfers
- transfer Munkfors to Forshaga
- itinararies
- map
- information pack
- 24/7 helpdesk
Not included: trip to Sweden, unmentioned meals, bike hire, museum visits or day
trips.
Begin date 2012:
1 June - 10 Sept.
Sundays, Mondays, Tueddays and Wednesdays (upon request)
Accommodation:
The trip will offer diverse accommodation, varying from lodges to hotels
and from simple to luxury facilities. The sanitary facilities are excellent however
you will not always have a private bathroom. Bed linen is provided.
Options:
- Bike hire adult 750:-
- Bike hire child 575:-
- Hang-on-bike 450:-
- Bike trailer 600:-
- Child seat 250:-
- Extra night Forshaga 350:- pp in family room
Travel code: VAFO08Hik
Also available
With ebike