17 February 2025

Göta kanalleden is 'best cycle route'
of 2025

'Göta kanalleden' is the Cycle Route of the Year 2025. The jury announced this on the first day of the Fiets en Wandelbeurs in Jaarbeurs Utrecht.

The 220-kilometre cycle route follows the Göta Canal in southern Sweden, between Sjötorp and Mem. While following the route, you pass several lakes by boat. The canal is popular with tourists for a reason, as there is much to see and experience along the blue ribbon. For instance, you cycle past forests and meadows, you regularly see a boat go through one of the 58 locks, and there are sights such as a castle or a cosy old town. Facilities are also good, as many atmospheric cafés and unique accommodations can be found along the route.

Versatile route

The jury was surprised by the versatility of this cycle route in southern Sweden. The cycle paths are very good and largely free of motorised traffic. The history of the canal is covered in a number of museums along the route and on information panels at each lock. Apart from “boat watching”, it is also possible to sail the Göta Canal yourself. Historic passenger boats sail parts of the route daily, and bikes are allowed on board.

Swedish waterland

The cycling tour is easy to plan thanks to the extensive information on the internet. On top of that, it is relatively easy to travel to the starting and finishing points by public transport. Along the way, you will come across several lakes, where cycling boats will take you across. Detouring by bike is not an option in some cases, so the best time to cycle this route is between mid-June and mid-August, when boats sail back and forth daily. Between mid-May and mid-September, these cycle boats also operate, but only on weekends.

Three nominees

Göta kanalleden was chosen from three nominees. The other nominees are: La Vélomaritime in France and the Route der Norddeutschen Romantik in Germany. The jury, consisting of Bert Sitters, Jessica de Korte and Mirre Oost, cycled all these nominated routes to assess them according to a wide range of criteria such as signposting, facilities and quality of the road surface.

The election of the Hicle Cycle Route of the Year is an initiative of Hicle/Fiets en Wandelbeurs, which wants to use it to encourage the setting out of high-quality routes. Eligible are new or recently modified routes in Europe. The winner receives the coveted honorary title of “best cycling route” and the accompanying trophy, plus a voucher of Z-CARD®, an easy to unfold and foldable print product.