8-Day Cycling Tour of Smaland: Through the Forests and Towns of Astrid Lindgren

Discover Fairytale Sweden by Bike

Cycling in Smaland is the purest way to discover Sweden. Rolling landscapes, deep forests, wooden houses, and the scent of pine. As soon as you start cycling through Smaland, you’ll understand why this region was such a great source of inspiration for Astrid Lindgren, author of the Pippi Longstocking books and Emil, among others.

We describe an eight-day cycling vacation through Smaland, a tribute to nature and nostalgia. Of course, you can also simply follow the cycling route on your own. You can also take the trip independently but in an organized manner, arranged by a local travel specialist. Accommodations with breakfast, a packed lunch, and dinner are included. See below for more information on how to book this trip.

Cycling Highlights in Smaland

  • Individual bike tour
  • 8 days / 7 nights
  • Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, and coffee included
  • Luggage Transport
  • Good 3- and 4-star hotels
  • No experience is necessary, but a reasonable level of fitness is recommended
  • A hybrid trip involving about 315 km of cycling and 5 km of hiking (up to 65 km of cycling per day)

Day 1: Welcome to Ullinge–Eksjö on Lake Södra Wixen

Your adventure begins in Ullinge; the hotel is located on the shore of the lake. If you’ve rented a bike, it will arrive today. After checking in, you can take a short ride along the water. In the evening, you’ll have dinner at a cozy pub.

Day 2: From the wooden town of Eksjö to Mariannelund

You’ll cycle out of Ullinge and take back roads to the charming wooden town of Eksjö. It’s the perfect place to stop for a cup of coffee or a stroll among the 17th-century houses.

After Eksjö, you’ll follow the Astrid Lindgren Trail, which winds through the Småland countryside. Today’s destination is Mariannelund, where you’ll check in at Pensionat Solhöjden. Your luggage will already be waiting for you, and the evening will end with dinner in the guesthouse’s dining room.

Distance: approx. 63 kilometers

Day 3: The Astrid Lindgren Trail

In Mariannelund, you can visit Filmbyn Smaland. Here, Astrid Lindgren’s films come to life again. Want to learn more about Lindgren? Then book a guided bike tour with Cykla i Filmlandskapet. This route takes you to filming locations from the movie adaptations of Astrid Lindgren’s stories.
If you’d rather explore the area on your own, you’ll find some great routes here.

Once you arrive in Vimmerby, check in at the charming Karaktärshotellet, where you can enjoy the evening in peace and quiet. You’ll be staying here for two nights, so unpack your things and relax.

Distance: approx. 30 km (+ 5 km for a guided tour)

Day 4: A Day in the World of Astrid Lindgren

Today you can choose between cycling and culture—or both. Visit Astrid Lindgren’s Näs, the place where it all began. Or explore Astrid Lindgren’s World, where the stories come to life. If you’d like to cycle more, there’s a longer route to Katthult, Bullerbyn, and Lönneberga—classic locations from Astrid’s fairy-tale world.

Day 5: Through the heart of Smaland to Wallby Säteri

After a relaxing morning in Vimmerby, you’ll continue south through the rolling countryside of Småland. You’ll leave the Astrid Lindgren Trail and follow winding roads past farms with stone fences, lakes, and meadows. Feel free to bring your swimsuit; there are several perfect spots for swimming along the way.

At Wallby Säteri, you can enjoy the lakeside sauna, the peaceful garden, and dinner at the manor house’s restaurant. You’ll stay in small, charming cottages on the farm, with the lake right next door.

Distance: approx. 60 km

Day 6: Relaxation, hiking, and the charm of Wallby

Today is a relaxing day. After a hearty breakfast buffet, you can go for a short bike ride, take a walk, or simply enjoy the surroundings. The evening ends with another dinner, and you’ll get ready for the final day of cycling on the trip. In the morning, your luggage will be picked up, and you’ll cycle back to Ullinge at your own pace.

Day 7: Back through the Smaland countryside

The final day of cycling offers another taste of Småland’s natural beauty: forests, open meadows, and lakes. The route takes you through Vetlanda and along small roads toward Björköby, where you can take a break at the small zoo and the café. Back in Ullinge, a well-deserved sauna awaits, and perhaps one last dip in the lake before dinner.
A perfect way to wrap up a week full of nature, culture, and fantastic experiences.

Distance: approx. 55 km

Day 8: End of the Smaland cycling tour

After breakfast, pack your things. If you rented a bike, leave it at the hotel. From here, you can continue your trip on your own or head back home.

Practical Tips & Sustainable Cycling in Smaland

  • Trip duration: 8 days / 7 nights
  • Distance: approx. 210 km
  • Includes: overnight stay with breakfast, 2-course dinners, luggage transport, and the Ride with GPS app with route and guidance
  • Starting point: Eksjö (Ullinge Värsthus)
  • Difficulty: moderate; manageable for someone in average physical condition
  • Price: €1,985 per person (SEK 2.1900) based on double occupancy
  • The trip does not include bicycles, but you can rent bicycles or e-bikes (approx. €220 for a touring bike and approx. €355 for an e-bike)
  • Transfers and guides are not included but can be booked upon request
  • This trip is a textbook example of slow travel: local food, small-scale accommodations, tours led by local guides, and getting around by bike.

Overnight Stays for Cyclists in Smaland

  • Hotel Ullinge
  • Pensionat Solhöjden
  • Character Hotel
  • Wallby Säteri

If these are not available, you will stay at comparable hotels.

How do you get to Eksjö–Ullinge?

Ullinge is about 1,100 kilometers by car from the Netherlands. You take the ferry and drive through Denmark.

Cycling in Smaland on the map

Request a quote for a Cycling Tour in Smaland

When you request a quote, we’ll forward it to our local partner, who will confirm it directly with you if approved. You’ll pay the same price as if you were booking directly. You’ll handle the rest of the booking and payment directly with the local provider (with whom we have a good working relationship and established agreements). We’re always available to answer any questions you may have.

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Read here about a wonderful winter adventure in Sweden.

Madelon Seignette - author

About the author

Madelon Seignette

With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.

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