Nature Retreat - a cycling adventure with nature-based accommodation

This cycling adventure around Lake Sommen in Östergötland is suitable for those looking for peace and quiet and genuine nature experiences. Here you will find wilderness and magical lakes in abundance. You cycle on winding gravel roads through wooded areas and live comfortably. Many of us who live a stressful everyday life appreciate the silence, bird life and all the scents of the forest.

The start and finish point is the charming Hotell Sommarhagen, and you will keep your room at the hotel for the duration of your stay in case you want to leave some of your luggage behind. For the host couple, nature is the focus and you will receive a thorough briefing on the first evening with tips on viewpoints, bathing lakes and historical sites along the way. You cycle on your own and luggage is transported between accommodations. How about staying in a Glass House in the middle of the forest?

Day 1 - Arrival and dinner at Hotel Sommarhagen

hotelHotel Sommarhagen, Boxholm

restaurantDinner

Check-in in a comfort double room and review of maps and information (about 1.5 hours). Keep in mind that cell phone coverage is poor in the wilderness!

Once you are settled in, a 2-course dinner with local produce awaits you in the glassed-in restaurant overlooking the garden and pastures. You will keep your room at the hotel for the duration of your stay in case you want to leave some of your luggage behind.

Day 2 - Cycle to Glass House and own wilderness lake

hotelGlass house with its own wilderness lake

restaurantBreakfast and dinner

directions_bike23 km

After breakfast you cycle on small forest roads to Glashuset. The bike ride is on winding gravel roads through deep forests. You hardly see any houses and have the whole forest to yourself, except for any animals you may encounter.

The Glass House is located on its own wilderness lake where you can swim. Comfortable beds, food and equipment await you for a relaxing stay. The canoe is located at the shore, just enjoy the nature and silence. Here you can hike, paddle, fish, pick berries and mushrooms - or just be. Listen to the silence, experience nature and enjoy relaxing from everyday life. You eat dinner when it suits you, and prepare the meal in peace and quiet. Then you crawl into your comfortable bed and look up at the stars above you, listening to the sounds of nature and the wind in the trees.

Day 3 - Bike excursion to the cozy village of Ulrika

hotelGlass house with its own wilderness lake

restaurantBreakfast and dinner

directions_bike27 km

After a good night's sleep, you wake up at sunrise and enjoy your breakfast. Today it is off by bike on small forest roads to the small village of Ulrika. Here you will find a beautiful wooden church from the 18th century, a nice bath and a small country store with a café. Then the bike ride continues past lakes and forests until you are back at Glashuset where you enjoy the silence and prepare the evening's dinner.

You can also choose to stay at the Glass House all day and enjoy paddling and swimming. Perhaps a forest walk in the immediate area or just be.

Day 4 - Bike ride back to Sommarhagen

hotelHotel Sommarhagen, Boxholm

restaurantBreakfast and dinner

directions_bike13 km

After breakfast you cycle to Hotell Sommarhagen, past lakes and through forest. You pass beautiful Malexander with church, homestead and sandy beach.

Back at Hotell Sommarhagen, your hotel room awaits and a 2-course dinner in the glazed restaurant. After dinner, you relax outdoors in the hot tub and enjoy the sunset and the starry sky, before it's time to sleep.

Day 5 - Breakfast and check-out

restaurantBreakfast

We hope you've had a great time in the Östergötland wilderness. After breakfast, it's time to check out and return to your home town.