Welcome to exploring the Östergötland plains around Vadstena, Tåkern, and Omberg on two wheels. This page has been created for cycle tourists, fitness enthusiasts, sports, and leisure activities, and applies to road cycling – not off-road cycling!
The compilation includes popular exercise races such as Vätternrundan, regional cycle paths, excursion suggestions, and other tours starting from Vadstena or Omberg.
With the exception of regional cycle routes, maps and descriptions are available on Bikemap and uMap, as well as GPX and files in other data formats. All data files are protected by copyright. Downloading and use in cycle computers for private use is permitted, but publication on other websites is not.
Regional biketrails: Vättern-Sommenleden
⋅ Runt Vätternleden
Competition rounds: Vätternrundan
⋅ Halvvättern
⋅ Tjejvättern
⋅ Tåkern runt
Local biketrails: Pilgrimsrundan
⋅ Australien runt
Bike tours with Vadstena as a starting point: Nässjarunda
⋅ Granbyrunda
⋅ Strårunda
⋅ Hagebyhögarunda
Other tours: Borghamnsrunda
⋅ Omberg runt
⋅ Tåkern runt
Rent a bike
374 km (main route within Småland/Östergötland)
Created 1984/1997
Alternative: Gränna-Visingsö 25 km
Very clearly signposted with red signs, even in built-up areas.
90% paved/asphalted surface.
The Bårstad–Häckenäs–Örberga section in the municipality of Vadstena is a gravel road.
The Vadstena–Gränna route runs together with the Runt Vätternleden route.
Connects to Sverigeleden in the north and south.
Please note! In the OSM cycling map, Vättern-Sommenleden is only marked between Väderstad, Vadstena, Skänninge and Mjölby.
410 km (Main route: Around Lake Vättern,
Askersund–Motala–Vadstena–Ödeshög–Gränna–Jönköping–Habo–Hjo–Forsvik)
Created in 2000
Alternative: Connecting routes from different starting points -
Hargebaden, Medevi, Tidaholm, Karlsborg, Olshammar, and Mullsjö/Ryfors 80 km.
Quite clear signs (blue signs).
75% asphalted roads.
The Bårstad–Häckenäs–Örberga section in the municipality of Vadstena is gravelled.
The Runt Vätternleden route touches three other cycle path systems: Västgötaleden in the west, Vättern-Sommenleden in
the southeast, and Sverigeleden in the north.
93.8 km | ascent/descent 260 m
Created 2018
Start at the Pilgrim Centre in Vadstena. The journey goes over the plain and the Omberg, past Tåkern and Vättern. Twelve medieval churches are along the way (Vadstena Abbey Church, Orlunda Church, Vårfrukyrkan (Skänninge), Bjälbo Church, Appuna Church, Kumla Church, Svanshals Church, Rök Church, Heda Church, Rogslösa Church, Örberga Church, and Nässja Church).
Combine motion by bike with peace and accessibility. Take a break at the churches and relax. Take the chance to gather more impressions of the environment. Cyclists can even collect stamps from the twelve churches. Each stamp represents something from the church that you can find. A pilgrimage does not necessarily have to be done on foot.
12.1 km | ascent/descent 100 m
If your bike is also suitable for forest and gravel paths, you can cycle the "Australia Round", a circuit around the southern part of Omberg and part of Dags Mosse. The route is 12.1 km long and signposted. Suitable starting points are Alvastra and Stocklycke. The name of the round is due to the fact that the course is similar to the contour of Australia.
The economic association **Upplev Omberg**, which was responsible for the Tåkern-Gränna tourist route, among other things, initiated this cycle route. However, the association has ceased to exist, and the URL "www.upplevomberg.se" now leads to Ombergs Turisthotell. This means that there is no longer a principal or maintenance manager.
Tillyvägen and Vallgatan, between Stocklycke and Turistvägen, as well as the route through Dags mosse, are gravelled.
Four shorter bike rides for those holidaying in Vadstena who want to take short trips on the plains outside the town. Bring your own picnic and settle down in a nice spot. The suggested routes follow cycle paths and roads with little traffic.
25.0 km | ascent/descent 60 m
Nice cycle route across the plains west and south of Vadstena, but with two gravel sections (Nässjavägen-St. Ullevi-Järnberga-Nässja Church and the county road-Broby).
17.0 km | ascent/descent 30 m
The Granby route connects east of the Nässja route and takes a detour past Bondorlunda, Orlunda, Börstad, and Granby. Granby was the last stop for pilgrims on their way from Linköping to Vadstena. Mårten Nilsson Skinnare, founder of Vadstena Hospital, built a pilgrim chapel here, and it was from here that pilgrims first saw Vadstena with its monastery church in the city skyline. A few years ago, a new chapel was inaugurated in an earth cellar (Granby 308).
13.0 km | ascent/descent 20 m
A short and easy round trip across the plains south of Vadstena.
18.0 km | ascent/descent 30 m
A medium-sized round tour east towards Hagebyhöga. From Hagebyhöga Church, there is a good view of the plain towards Vadstena. Hagebyhöga Handelsträdgård has been a popular café but is now closed.
However, you will pass Askahögen, which, with its former mead hall, was a center of power during the Viking Age. Guided tours are available during the summer and during the Östgötadagarna festival.
42.1 km | ascent/descent 30 m
The suggested route is the shortest paved route around the species-rich bird lake Tåkern and its culturally rich surroundings. There are over 30 sights and points of interest here. However, some of them, such as Naturum Tåkern with its reed beds or the runestone at Rök, require a detour. The access road to Naturum is a gravel road, as is the road from Källstad via Herrestad to Åsberga (dotted route).
You can start your journey of discovery wherever you like. From Borghamn it is 2x3 km and from Vadstena 2x4 km extra.
If you want to go on a day trip and enjoy nature or train for a race, be sure to take a coffee break along the way – either at Väderstad Centralkonditori or Kafé på Skedet.
Omberg runt. Start in Västerlösa.
Turistvägen
25.5 km | ascent/descent 180 m
Omberg runt is the shortest asphalt route around Omberg and a popular destination, also for cycling clubs. If you don't want to cycle all the way around the mountain, you can use Turistvägen as a shortcut between Länsvägen and Stocklycke. This section is wider than Sjövägen and is ideal for learning to cycle uphill.
The Halvvättern and Tjejvättern competitions run along Sjövägen from north to south. The biggest challenge of the race starts at the climb just behind Borghamn.
If you are not on a race bike, you can take Järnvägen/Marsfällanvägen from Västerlösa to Ekhaga/Djurkälla. The road to Heliga Hjärtas Kloster (Abbey of the Sacred Heart) is privately owned and closed to all types of vehicles, including bicycles. In this case, cycle instead past Ekhaga towards Skedet and then turn right towards Skogsby and the main road.
