Ekerö short break
A 2-day cycle tour exploring the Viking islands of Birka, Adelsö, Ekerö & Lovö plus two World Heritage Sites to admire.
A boat trip from Stockholm takes you across the scenic Mälaren waters to Birka with its rich Viking history. Continue your journey into the past as you cycle idyllic country lanes on Adelsö passing atmospheric Hovgården settlement. Stop for a swim at a secluded beach and climb the view tower to admire extensive views of Mälaren's waterways used by many a Viking longship. Follow small country lanes and tracks on Munsö and Ekerö, passing views of open countryside. Lovö is a cyclist's treat and Drottningholm Palace is the perfect place to take a break from the saddle to wander its impressive gardens.
A short boat journey back to Stockholm completes this cycle adventure.
Itinerary
Day 1: Stockholm* → Björkö → Adelsö → Munsö → Ekerö
Boat from Stockholm to Björkö (Birka viking remains)**
Boat from Björkö to Adelsö
Cycling on Adelsö to visit Hovgården and view tower
Car ferry from Adelsö to Munsö
Cycling on Munsö and Ekerö passing Munsö church
This morning you take the boat from Stockholm to Björkö island, home to Birka Viking city with its museum and the mighty Ansgar monument perched mightily on the hilltop with views over Viking waterways. You have a couple of hours to discover Birka, either visiting the museum and taking the guided tour, alternatively take your bikes and discover the island at your own pace. You are then taken by private boat to Adelsö island just a few minutes away.
Adelsö is an idyllic island for cycling with its small county lanes taking you around the whole island. Stop off at Hovgården to further appreciate Viking life and climb the view tower to admire far-stretching views over Lake Mälaren. There are also opportunities to swim along the way. The car ferry then takes you over to Munsö.
On Munsö you follow the smaller roads as far as possible through picturesque open countryside and Munsö church until you reach your overnight destination on Ekerö at Skytteholm hotel - an impressive manor located right by the water's edge with enviable lake views!
*The trip can also start at Vårby or Jungfrusund
**In order to be able to fit in your cycle distance to Skytteholm we have allowed 1hr 30min at Birka.
Accommodation: Ekerö
Cycling Distance: 45 km
Boat trip: Stockholm → Björkö 2 hr, Björkö → Adelsö 5 min & Adelsö → Munsö 10 min
Day 2: Ekerö → Lovö → Drottningholm → Stockholm
Cycle from Ekerö to Lovö
Cycling on Lovö and visit to Lovö Magasin and Rävstensstigen hiking trail
Visit Drottningholm Palace and stroll through its gardens
Boat from Drottningholm to Stockholm
This morning, you and your bikes continue your cycle journey on Ekerö passing churches and views until you reach Lovö island. Lovö is a delightful island on Stockholm's doorstep offering country lanes perfect for cycling, and hiking loops if you feel like a break from the saddle. You also pass by charming Lovö Magasin where you can take a rest in the simple surroundings and enjoy locally produced treats.
After your cycle around Lovö loop you end at Drottningholm Palace, the most well-preserved royal castle built in the 1600s in Sweden. Its location on the banks of lake Mälaren is delightful and its gardens are perfect for an afternoon stroll, a well-deserved end to your cycling adventure exploring the Viking history and beautiful countryside of these Mälaren islands.
The Drottningholm boat then takes you and your bikes back to Stockholm city.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling Distance: Not fixed/approx. 40 km
Boat trip: Drottningholm → Stockholm 1 hr
Accommodation on Ekerö
INCLUDED
EKERÖ
Skytteholm Hotell
Beautifully located manor house on the shores of Lake Mälaren with spectacular views of the lake. Hotel rooms located in Skyttegården 100 m from the manor house. Superior rooms located in the manor wings. Restaurant and sauna/relax area for hotel guests. A place where Swedish traditions meet Swedish design in a beautiful location.
Level
Both days are around 40-45 km of cycling. The terrain is gently undulating and you cycle on a mix of dirt track, country lanes and some larger roads, with or without cycle lanes. Our trips are designed to avoid the busier roads where possible but there are some stretches where they cannot be avoided.
Note that you do not have the whole day to complete the cycle particularly on day 1 due to the boat timetable from Stockholm to Birka. You start cycling on Adelsö at approx. 13.45 after your visit to Birka and short boat journey to Adelsö. On day 2 the last boat back to Stockholm leaves Drottningholm at 17:00.
Dates
19 May - 17 June
Departure on Fridays & Saturdays
26 June - 27 August
Departure every day
1 September - 23 September
Departure on Fridays & Saturdays
Price
SEK 2,590
Price Includes
Detailed route notes and maps & GPX tracks (2 days)
Boat Stockholm/Birka (Day 1)
Museum entrance at Birka (Day 1)
Guided tour of the ancient fields at Birka (Day 1)
Private boat Björkö/Adelsö (Day 1)
Hotel x 1 night
Breakfast x 1
Boat Drottningholm/Stockholm (Day 2)
Optional extras
Bike rental
Mountain bikes and hybrid bikes are suitable for this trip - see our bike rental for prices
20% reduction on all our bikes if rented for our tours
Baggage transfer service:
Day 1 baggage transfer Stockholm/Ekerö @ SEK 200 per person
Day 2 baggage transfer Ekerö/Stockholm @ SEK 200 per person