A Father-Son Adventure: Bikepacking in Southern Sweden

This year, my dad and I embarked on our annual bikepacking trip, and we decided to explore the heart of Southern Sweden once again. Over four days, we cycled through the breathtaking regions of Österlen, Skåne, and Blekinge, immersing ourselves in the natural beauty of the Swedish countryside. Along the way, we enjoyed scenic roadside snack breaks, campfires, refreshing lake dips, and braved the inevitable rain.

The real highlight, though, was the quality time we spent together. This father-son adventure made the journey unforgettable. Read on for the highlights from our bikepacking trip through Southern Sweden!

Day 1 – Bikepacking Through Österlen: Forest Beauty and Swedish Delights

Day one kicked off with packing our bikes. For my dad, we rented a Bombtrack Munroe SG from Bienvelo Malmö, a local bike shop known for its quality rentals. After collecting the bikes, we hopped on a train from Malmö to Simrishamn, the starting point of our 275 km bikepacking journey.

Our route began in Österlen, a picturesque region along Sweden’s southeastern coast, famed for its lush green forests, rolling hills, and charming coastal scenery. Even though we encountered heavy rain showers, we embraced the elements and stopped at a local pizzeria to enjoy a Swedish favorite: kebab pizza. With our clothes soaked, we opted to stay at a hotel instead of camping on the beach as planned, which allowed us to dry off and rest well for the next day.

Day 2 – Exploring Skåne’s East Coast and Hidden Gems

Waking up to clear skies was a relief, especially with our route packed with swimming spots. We followed the east coast of Skåne, passing the breathtaking Friseboda National Park. The day’s highlights were supposed to be two nature reserves that double as military training areas. Unfortunately, military exercises were underway, so we took a detour. Luckily, it led us to a delightful coffee stop and an ice cream break.

The next leg of the journey became my favorite: the stunning gravel roads near Halen. This area, dotted with lakes, offered classic Swedish landscape views that were nothing short of magical. We ended the day at a wind shelter by a serene lake, where we enjoyed a swim and a barbecue before settling in for the night.

Day 3 – Gravel Roads, Sunshine, and Campfires in West Blekinge and East Skåne

Day three greeted us with sunshine, setting the tone for an incredible day of riding. After a cup of Aeropress coffee to start the morning, we hit the gravel roads that stretched across West Blekinge and East Skåne. The entire day was spent cycling along some of the most beautiful gravel paths I’ve ever seen, and with the sun blazing, we made frequent stops at supermarkets for ice cream, cold drinks, and iced coffee to keep cool.

Arriving at our campsite early, we found it to be a nice spot—except for the relentless swarms of mosquitos. We quickly lit a campfire to smoke them out and pitched our tent for protection. Dinner consisted of tortellini with prosciutto and cheese, paired with a couple of beers.

Day 4 – The Hidden Treasures of Höör and the Final Stretch

The final day started with sunshine as we rode through the scenic landscapes of Skåne. I was blown away by the incredible gravel roads north of Höör—a hidden gem I hadn’t known about but now plan to revisit.

Food options were scarce on this stretch, but we stumbled upon a classic Swedish roadside café serving simple sandwiches and strong, pitch-black filter coffee. It was exactly what we needed to keep going. As we ventured deeper into the agricultural lands, clouds began to roll in, but with our rain gear ready, we soaked in the beautiful contrast of vibrant green grasslands against the gray sky.

Our motivation soared as we neared Höör, knowing a warm meal awaited us before we boarded the train back to Malmö. That promise of good food and a comfortable ride home kept our spirits high as we pushed through the final stretch of our unforgettable bikepacking adventure in Southern Sweden.

Follow all our adventures on Instagram.