Etapp 1 Årjäng - Gustavsfors

ÅRJÄNG

If you want to stay overnight before starting your bike tour, you can check in at Hotell Årjäng, but if you prefer to stay in a cabin, you can stay well at a five-star campsite located three kilometers from the center.

The start is at the 8-meter-high Årjängstrollet in central Årjäng. But before you set off, you can explore a 3-kilometer sculpture walk or try pedaling a trolley on the disused railway between Årjäng and Bengtsfors, called “The Beautiful Views Railway”.

Don’t forget to stock up on food and drink for your bike tour. The first stretch towards Fölsbyn goes through open landscapes, forests and lakes. In Fölsbyn, turn left and continue into the Blomskog parish.

BLOMSKOG

You pedal on in a varied landscape. Just after Ängebäck*, turn left towards Ingebyn. When you reach the Lennartsfors/Blomskog junction, you can choose to turn left and take a detour to Folsom hostel for overnight accommodation (5 km from the trail). If you continue a few more kilometres, you can walk up to Borgåsgubben, a stone statue that, according to legend, was built in the 17th – 18th centuries to give the enemy a vision of a living sentry. Breviken camping is a few kilometres away, and there are also cabins for overnight accommodation.

If you continue along the trail, you will cycle along Lake Blomma for a while. The journey continues and you will soon be halfway there. The final stretch towards Gustavsfors will take you along Lake Lelången with many opportunities for a refreshing swim.

DEPARTURE – LENNARTSFORS (5 km from the trail)

If you choose not to turn off towards Ingebyn just after Ängebäck, you can choose to continue straight ahead and discover Lennartsfors, which is idyllically located with its canal locks that connect Foxen with Lake Lelång. It is a gathering place for boat and canoe tourists in the summer. Take the opportunity to stroll along the canal and don't forget to stop by Lundvie Keramik or Lapp-Elisa, which is a paradise for fabric lovers. You can sleep well in one of Bergstugan's newly renovated rooms. Here you can also sit outside and enjoy a fantastic lake view and enjoy a coffee or eat something delicious from the restaurant. Food and coffee can also be had at Strömsborg Mat & Cafe, from the outdoor seating you sit on the first floor and can watch the boats glide towards the lock gates. During the summer, there is also the opportunity to go on a canal boat trip with M/S Nils Ericson. At Elovsbyns camping and canoe just north of Lennartsfors you can also rent a canoe and paddle in the area.

To return to the trail you can cycle back towards Årjäng a short distance. Turn right where it is signposted Gustavsfors and you will join the Lelångenleden further south.

How to get to Årjäng

To reach Årjäng you can take the train to Åmål with Västtågen 13268 or Västtågen 13292. Bicycles can be taken if space permits. Always check https://www.vasttrafik.se and Värlandstrafik: https://www.varmlandstrafik.se before your departure.

In Åmål you change to Bus. You start with bus line 800 towards Karlstad and get off at the stop “Slottsbron, Åstorpsvägen (Grums)” where you change to bus line 700 towards Töcksfors. The bus takes you all the way to Årjäng.

Download the folder for the Lelången Trail here!