The first stage starts at Stockholm Central, a major hub when you arrive in the city. On the other side of the water is Stockholm Adventures, which rents out bikes if you don't bring your own. The bike path takes you past the beautiful City Hall, where you get a nice view of Stockholm city center. The road then continues west. There may be some cyclists here, and the bike lane is sometimes quite narrow. After about 10 km, the red Mälardalsleden signs appear, which will follow you in the coming days.
Drottningholm Palace is magnificently situated on the waterfront, surrounded by the magnificent Baroque garden. Please note that cycling is not allowed inside the grounds. The entire complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and dates back to the 17th century. You can leave your bike here and take your time if you like - there's also a restaurant on site. Continue around the English Park, and don't miss the detour to China Castle, a pleasure palace with several Chinese-style pavilions.
The bike ride continues on the bike path, and after 21 kilometers you reach Ekerö center where there is a bakery. Ekebyhov Castle is on its own, and suddenly appears in the forest. From here it is close to the ferry that runs between Ekerö and Slagsta - a trip of just 10 minutes. The ferry is free for cyclists and departs frequently. Slagsta has Slagstabadet, a beach with large green areas.
Next comes a stretch of varied jogging tracks, small roads and passages through residential areas. A real treat is Sturehof's castle café, perfect for a break. The terrain here is slightly hilly and on shorter stretches the road is shared with car traffic. Signage can sometimes be lacking, so keep an eye on the digital map to find the detour through the woods, down to the water and further along the pedestrian and cycle path towards Södertälje. On the other side is the large Astra Zeneca plant, one of the region's most important workplaces.
Along the canal and at the lock, there is currently (August 2025) a lot of roadworks, so the trail may be temporarily diverted. In Södertälje there are several options for overnight stays, shops and restaurants. At the harbor is the S/S Ejdern, an old steamship from 1880 that offers boat trips during the summer. Also on the canal is Wendela Hebbe's house - a cozy restaurant and museum in memory of one of Sweden's first female professional journalists. Approx. 90% asphalt, 10% gravel.
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