Through the Kingdom of Glass to Kosta

In the middle of the beautiful nature of Småland, you cycle among stone-walled farms, juniper slopes and sparkling small lakes. In this cycle package, you get the opportunity to feel the wings of history and learn more about glassblowing at Sweden's oldest operating glass factory. Here, the ovens have been in operation since 1742 and you are welcome to view genuine Swedish craftsmanship up close.

Overnight stay at Målerås hostel B&B which is housed in the newly renovated railway hotel from 1890. The hostel can offer fresh single, double and multi-bed rooms. A breakfast buffet is served each morning. In the immediate area around the hostel / B&B there are excellent walking areas and good fishing waters.

You cycle on village roads and old country roads with low traffic, but there is cycling shorter distances on more busy roads to get to and from the low-traffic road network.

Dag 1 - Glass factory environments, bathing lakes and Småland wilderness

hotelMålerås hostel B&B

restaurantTravel food and evening meal

directions_bike33 km

The cycle tour winds through typical Småland forests and you cycle on cozy small roads (about 80% gravel, 20% asphalt). Part of the route you will ride on Kostabanan's old railway bank. The forests dignify in late summer and autumn of mushrooms and berries. If you miss the moose, the king of the forest, during the bike ride itself, there is a 1.3 kilometer long walk along a forest fence where you can get close to the world's largest deer from a lookout tower.

At Kosta glassworks, you can follow the production of Kosta's products in the light of the ovens, from the melting of the glass mass to the actual glass blowing and grinding and painting of the glass objects. Kosta also has 20,000 square meters of shopping for the whole family with 200 different international brands at Kosta Outlet. Adjacent to the shop there are also cozy cafes and eateries where you can gather energy for the bike ride back to Målerås. In Kosta you can also visit Glashusen, a terraced house with five separate houses designed by Bruno Mathsson (1907-1988) - one of Sweden's foremost furniture makers.

At Wärdshuset Hyttan you can have lunch, and in summer also evening meals. From a panoramic window you look straight into the glassblower workshop.

Dag 2 - Breakfast and Departure

restaurantBreakfast

After a good night's sleep, a delicious breakfast awaits before it's time to check out.

In Målerås you can take the opportunity to buy crystal products, leather goods, and jewelry. In Glasblåsarrummet, some of Sweden's most skilled studio glassblowers are represented. The craft house houses several local craftsmen under the same roof. Here you will find everything from ceramics, sheepskin, jewelry and marmalade. It's worth a visit before returning home!