2nd March 2018

Kattegattleden is Cycling Route of the Year 2018

Kattegattleden, the first national bicycle route in Sweden, has been chosen as Cycling Route of the Year 2018. The trophy accompanying the award was presented to the winner on the opening day of the ‘Fiets en Wandelbeurs’ in the Jaarbeurs Utrecht.

The Swedish coastal route was given preference by jury members Wouter Bazen, Luc Oteman and Bert Sitters above the other three routes nominated: Green Velo in Poland, ViaRhonâ in Switzerland/France and the new international Maas-Meuse cycling route through France, Belgium and The Netherlands.

The Kattegattleden route runs along the Swedish west coast for 395 km from Helsingborg to Gothenburg. “A varied route along the archipelago with rocky points, islands and fishing settlements,” the jury report states. “The infrastructure for touring cyclists is first rate and the route is clearly signposted.”

New national cycleway

The jury also looked to the future. “Kattegattleden is route number 1 of a new national cycleway network in Sweden. Hopefully the awarding of the trophy will encourage the positive development of these.”  

The Cycling Route of the Year has been inaugurated by the ‘Fiets en Wandelbeurs’ with the aim of stimulating governments and local tourist boards to develop attractive cycling routes. Kattegattleden is successor to La Vélo Francette, the Cycling Route of the Year 2017.