Pilgrim cycling along the Göta Canal – an inner and outer journey
Do you want to be a pioneer and try this year’s new experience? Combining cycling along the cycle route by the Göta Canal with the pilgrim trail Saint Birgitta Ways to Vadstena? Then this pilgrim cycling package is perfect for you!
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Bring your own bicycle and travel for four days along the canal through varied landscapes, combining cycling along the Göta Canal with boat transfers across lakes. Several times a day, you can take a break in cool churches, experience tranquillity and the echoes of history, and perhaps feel that you are part of something greater. Cycling along the Göta Canal is never boring – you pass boats, locks, and many sights along the way.
Going on a pilgrimage was something one third of Sweden’s population did during the Middle Ages. Today, this tradition is being revived in Sweden – in new ways but in the same spirit. Travel in the footsteps of Saint Birgitta. The tour starts in Söderköping, and when you arrive in Vadstena you will receive a diploma confirming that you have completed the journey.
Day 1 – Söderköping – Norsholm
18 km one-way cycling along the canal (+ bicycle boat)
Söderköping is a perfect starting point for pilgrim cycling, with plenty of accommodation and dining options. Begin with a visit to St Laurenti Church, which has a dedicated pilgrim corner. Sit down, reflect on what you wish to gain from the journey, and collect your first stamp in your pilgrim passport.
Then cycle along the canal towpath to Norsholm. At Lake Asplången (after about 12 km), you take a bicycle boat operating at set times depending on the season. In Norsholm, you check in to your pre-booked accommodation.
Day 2 – Norsholm – Vreta Kloster / Berg Locks
47 km varied cycling with some hills
From Norsholm, the route takes you through forests and farmland south of Lake Roxen, mainly on small roads. You pass several charming churches suitable for rest stops.
After some cycling, you reach Linköping, well worth a longer visit. Don’t miss the cathedral – impressive, peaceful, and cool in summer. Here you can stamp your pilgrim passport and see depictions of Saint Birgitta. There are many cafés and restaurants nearby.
Continue to Vreta Kloster and the Berg Locks, where you will find accommodation and dining options. Be sure to visit Vreta Kloster Church.
(If you prefer a shorter cycling day, you can take the boat across Lake Roxen from Norsholm directly to the Berg Locks – approx. 45 minutes, bicycles allowed.)
Day 3 – Vreta Kloster / Berg Locks – Motala
40 km one-way cycling along the canal and country roads
Vreta Kloster Church offers a short morning prayer every day, inspired by the time when Saint Birgitta lived. Everyone is welcome.
Visit the impressive lock staircase at Berg and watch boats passing through. Continue cycling towards Borensberg. Just before Borensberg, you’ll find the cosy café and accommodation Glasbruket – a perfect place for lunch and a swim in the Motala River.
Continue along country roads to Motala. Choose the route south of Lake Boren to visit Birgitta’s Udde, a scenic spot where Saint Birgitta once lived. Take a proper break, rest, and perhaps enjoy a swim.
Along the way, you also pass the small Ekebyborna Church, which Birgitta frequently visited. Near Motala, you pass a monument to the canal’s founder, Balzar von Platen – traditionally, cyclists tip their hats here in respect. In Motala, check in to your next accommodation and don’t miss the charming harbour area.
Day 4 – Motala – Vadstena
18 km one-way cycling on cycle paths
The final stage is short, giving you time to explore the charming summer town of Vadstena. Start at the Vadstena Pilgrim Centre to receive your diploma for completing the journey. Enjoy a coffee and meet fellow pilgrims who have arrived on foot or by bike.
Then visit Vadstena Abbey Church next door, where the relics of Saint Birgitta are kept – the destination for pilgrims since the 14th century. You are welcome to attend a service or devotion to conclude your pilgrimage.
Vadstena offers a wide range of accommodation and dining options, from simple dormitories to comfortable hotels. There is also plenty to see and do, including the Abbey Museum, which brings the life of Saint Birgitta to life.
From Vadstena, it is easy to continue your journey using public transport.