Forest & Fairy Tales in Astrid Lindgren's Småland

Join us on a cycling journey straight into the world of fairy tales through the heart of Småland, where deep forests meet flowering meadows, picturesque wooden towns and the places that inspired Astrid Lindgren's beloved stories. This is a journey you experience on your own at your own pace - with ready-made routes, carefully selected accommodation and everything practical arranged in advance.

The journey starts at rural Ullinge by Lake Södra Wixen, nestled among the pines. From here you cycle on towards the historic wooden town of Eksjö, along the Astrid Lindgren trail to Mariannelund and Vimmerby - home to Emil, Bullerbyn and Pippi. You decide for yourself when you want to stop, have coffee, swim or just enjoy the view. The road is lined with red cottages, lush green pastures and the smell of summer in the forest.

In the evenings, local food and overnight stays in selected hotels await you. Your luggage will be transported between the accommodations, so you can cycle easily and focus fully on the experience. The trip ends at Hotel Ullinge, where you can unwind with a dip in the lake, a sauna or a quiet evening in the garden as the sun sets over the oak hills.

The trip extends over 8 days and includes 4 cycling days and 2 days of optional activities - perfect for those who want freedom, security and time to experience Småland in your own way.

Day 1 - Arrival in rural Ullinge by the lake

Hotel Ullinge, Eksjö

Dinner

After your trip to Småland, you will be greeted by the tranquillity of the forest and the calm of Lake Södra Wixen. At Ullinge you live with nature just around the corner. Here you can land, take a cooling dip and enjoy a moment in the sauna.

A delicious dinner prepared with local flavors awaits you in the restaurant. With a view of the water, you eat well and plan tomorrow's cycling adventure towards Mariannelund. Your rental bike is ready at the hotel, adjusted and ready.

Day 2 - Through wooden towns and fairytale landscapes

Pensionat Solhöjden, Mariannelund

Breakfast and dinner

63 km

Pensionat Solhöjden - Mariannelund

After breakfast you cycle towards Mariannelund. You follow the Astrid Lindgren trail for the most part, but also make some detours from the trail to experience extra beautiful stretches of road through the Småland landscape past rolling fields, grazing animals and shady forest areas.

Once you arrive in Mariannelund, you check in at Pensionat Solhöjden. You have time to take a walk before the evening is rounded off with dinner in the guesthouse dining room.

Day 3 - In the footsteps of the movie

Karaktärshotellet, Vimmerby

Breakfast and dinner

30 km (+ 5 km for guided tours)

Guided bike tour in the Film Landscape.

In Mariannelund you step straight into Astrid Lindgren's world. At Filmbyn Småland, the classic films are brought to life through set designs, props and interactive exhibitions.

If you want to deepen the experience further, you can book a guided bike tour, where you visit the places where stories like Emil in Lönneberga and The Children of Bullerbyn were filmed. If you'd rather discover the area on your own, there's a beautiful tour to follow, perfect for a leisurely day on the bike.

Once you arrive in Vimmerby, check in at the charming Karaktärshotellet, where you can relax and enjoy the evening in peace and quiet. You'll be staying here for two nights, so unpack and make yourself at home.

Day 4 - A day in Astrid's world

Karaktärshotellet, Vimmerby

Breakfast and dinner

Flexible distance

Today you choose the pace and content - cycling, culture or both. Visit Astrid Lindgren's Näs, the place where it all began, and be inspired by the environments that shaped her stories. Or experience Astrid Lindgren's World, where the fairy tales come to life on stage and among the well-known houses.

If you want to cycle more, you can follow a longer tour to Katthult, Bullerbyn and Lönneberga, classic places from Astrid's fairy tale world and landscapes recognized from film and book. In the evening, a nice dinner awaits.

Day 5 - Towards the silence of the forest

Trakt Forest Hotel, Holsbybrunn

Breakfast and dinner

60 km

Trakt Forest Hotel is located in a pristine forest.

After a quiet morning in Vimmerby, you cycle south through the rolling landscape of Småland. You leave Astrid Lindgren's world behind you and follow winding roads lined with stone fences, sparkling lakes and flowering pastures. Feel free to pack swimwear, along the way there are several nice places for a refreshing dip.

When you arrive at Trakt Forest Hotel, you are greeted by a carefully designed place where modern design merges with the nature of Småland. The hotel is built in natural materials and with clean lines that enhance the tranquility of the surrounding forest. The evening ends with a dinner in the restaurant, where flavors from the forest and land play the main role.

Day 6 - A day in the farm environment

Trakt Forest Hotel, Holsbybrunn

Breakfast and dinner

Hiking and resting

At Trakt Forest Hotel, the forest is in focus.

This day you take at your own pace. After a hearty breakfast, you can go for a short bike ride, hike a quiet trail through the woods or just enjoy the peaceful environment around the farm.

For those who want to fill the day with something extra, it is possible to book activities, or you can simply choose to sit back and let the tranquility of Trakt do its work. In the evening, another dinner awaits with seasonal local ingredients in focus, prepared with the same care as the place itself. When morning comes, the bags are packed for further travel. The luggage is picked up, and you cycle easily towards Ullinge for the final stage of the journey.

Day 7 - Back through the landscape of stories

Hotel Ullinge, Eksjö

Breakfast and dinner

55 km

The last day of cycling offers another dose of Småland nature with forests, open meadows and sparkling lakes. You follow small roads via Vetlanda and Björköby, where you can stop for a break at the small zoo and café.

Back at Ullinge, a well-deserved sauna awaits and perhaps a last dip in the lake before dinner. A perfect end to a week filled with nature, culture and fabulous experiences.

Day 8 - Back to reality

Breakfast

After breakfast, it's time to pack up and say goodbye to Småland for this time. If you have rented a bike, simply leave it at the hotel before departure.

You start your journey home, filled with impressions, tranquillity and memories of a week in a fairytale landscape.