🇸🇪 🇬🇧 🇩🇪
Activities & Sports

Flat Roads, Big Views

Flat Roads, Big Views
… from the house Get directions

Öland is one of Sweden’s best cycling destinations — the island is remarkably flat (just ~33 meters of total elevation on the full loop), the roads are quiet, and the scenery shifts from coastal villages to limestone plains to forest. The Ölandsleden circumnavigates the entire island in 18 stages covering roughly 360 km, but you can pick individual stages for a perfect day ride.

The route passes Borgholm Castle, Bödabukten beach, Sollidens Slott, Eketorps Borg, Ottenby bird station, and the UNESCO-listed farmland of southern Öland — landscapes you simply don’t experience the same way from a car. Ölandsleden is part of the national Sverigeleden cycling network (6,600 km), so you can even continue to the mainland across the bridge if you’re feeling ambitious.

Practical Details

  • Ölandsleden: ~360 km full loop, 18 stages, mixed paved roads and gravel
  • Terrain: Very flat — suitable for all fitness levels
  • Best season: May-September
  • Bicycle map: Available for purchase (~159 SEK) via swedenbybike.com
  • Ferry: M/S Dessi runs Kalmar-Färjestaden (May-September) and accepts bikes

Bike Rental

Borgholms Cykeluthyrning — closest rental

  • Address: Storgatan 9, Borgholm
  • Phone: +46 72-215 94 06
  • Season: Summer 2026

Ölands Cykeluthyrning — main fleet

  • Address: Järnvägsgatan 3, Mörbylånga (also available at Färjestaden tourist office from April 2026)
  • Fleet: 200+ bikes including touring bikes, e-bikes, children’s bikes, and accessories
  • Phone: +46 70-667 62 80
  • Email: info@olandscykeluthyrning.se

Contact either rental directly for current pricing and availability.

Good to Know

  • Day rides from Borgholm are easy to plan — staff at the Borgholm rental can suggest routes based on your interests and fitness level.
  • E-bikes are available if you want to cover more ground with less effort.
  • The island is mostly flat, but the alvar (limestone plains) sections in the south can be exposed and windy — bring a windbreaker and water.
  • Road surfaces vary between paved roads and gravel paths — a touring bike or hybrid is ideal. Pure road bikes work for paved-only stages.
  • Lock your bike when stopping at attractions — standard advice applies.

A popular day ride from Borgholm passes Borgholms slottsruin, coastal views, and continues south to Ekerum — about 25 km round trip on quiet roads.

Website: olandscykeluthyrning.se | swedenbybike.com (route maps)