South-east stage Mariestad–Vänersborg

The south-east stage is characterised by extraordinary natural phenomena in the form of the three table mountains Kinnekulle, Halleberg and Hunneberg and the terminal moraine Hindens Rev that extends 5 km into Lake Vänern. At Kinnekulle there are spectacular quarries as well as a lovely manor house estate and handicrafts village where you can take a break from your cycling and have a coffee. From Lidköping and southwards towards Vänersborg, the route offers meandering roads amidst fertile farmland, and you also pass one of Lake Vänern’s finest and longest sandy beaches, Svalnäs. This stage is home to two of Sweden’s best and oldest preserved town centres in Lidköping and Mariestad. At the start or finish of the stage in Vänersborg, the route winds its way scenically along Vänern’s shoreline.

Sights and attractions that you pass along the route include: Vadsbo Museum and the oldest town districts of Mariestad, Falkängen’s handicrafts village in Hällekis, the manor estate Hällekis Säteri and its garden café, Råbäck’s harbour and the stonemasonry museum and workshop Råbäcks Mekaniska Stenhuggeri, Kinnekulle and the Utsiktens Kaffestuga café with a great view, the Vänermuseet museum about Vänern, Rörstrand Museum and porcelain outlet, the old farming museum Särestads Landsbygdsmuseum, the Floutsikten lookout point on the table mountain Hunneberg, Vänersborgs Museum and the park Skräckleparken.