Along gravel in the border country – 52 km

Fill your energy stocks before you start

Welcome to Ed, a charming town which used to be a popular health resort. The cycle tour starts and finishes here, between lakes Stora Le and Lilla Le.

You’ll be cycling in predominantly natural landscapes where, apart from the odd local summer cafe, there aren’t any food shops or places to get lunch. So take the opportunity to fill up on energy and liquids before you set off. There are food shops by the start point in Ed.

You’ll begin by cycling north, alongside Stora Le, and initially there are quite a few climbs. Surrounding you are the forests so typical of Dalsland, and distances between properties are long.

Marshland with flat gravel roads

After around 12 kilometres cycling the surroundings change, and you’ll experience views that are in some ways quite different from everything else you’ve cycled through in Dalsland. This is an area with long, straight and flat gravel roads edged by marshland alternating with forest. You’ll pass two nature reserves, Borgelemossarna and Heråmaden, and if you want to learn more about them there are information boards to stop at by the roadside.

Top tip! When you turn south you’re just a few kilometres from the border of Tresticklan National Park, which is one of southern Sweden’s largest forested areas, and completely road and settlement free. It’s an incredibly beautiful area best explored on foot, so make a mental note of it if you like hiking.

A fascinating history

When you cycle along these straight gravel roads the Norwegian border is less than ten kilometres away, so take the opportunity to give a thought to this area’s fascinating history. During World War II several  lines of communication passed through the municipality of Dals-Ed, where people would exchange information with the Norwegian resistance movement for weapons, medicine, food and other necessities.

Wave to the moose on the way back

When you’ve left the marshes behind you’ll navigate the hilly wooded ridges edging a wind farm instead, before coming to an area with open fields and farmland. From here you just have to follow the Örekilsälv river back towards Ed. Before you arrive there you’ll cycle past both Dalslands Moose Ranch and Gröne Backe Camping.

In Ed you can have a dip in Lake Lilla Le and dinner in one of the restaurants.

Tips for cycle friendly accommodation in the area

See the route on Ride with GPS

Pictures from the area