Between the west coast and Sweden's largest lake, Vänern, lies the region of Dalsland. The area is characterized by dense forests, glittering lakes, and red Swedish houses, where you can discover many small, individual cafés and flea markets, especially during the summer months. Dalsland is only about 2-3 hours away from Gothenburg and is perfect for a weekend trip into nature or a stopover on your way north. Whether hiking, paddling, cycling, or swimming, life in Dalsland takes place outdoors, especially in summer. In this guide, we'll take you on a weekend trip to Dalsland and show you a route for a relaxed 2 days.
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Getting to Dalsland from Gothenburg
The easiest way to reach Dalsland from Gothenburg is by car via the E45. For our 2-day route, we recommend having your own car, as it makes you significantly more flexible and allows you to get from A to B more easily. Although the bus network in Dalsland is not bad, the buses do not run very frequently and the connections can be time-consuming. Our weekend route is therefore more designed for travelers with their own vehicle.
Accommodation in Dalsland
One of the most beautiful accommodations in Dalsland is Hotel Upperud 9:9, which is located in a converted grain silo directly at a lake. It is ideal for our route, as it is relatively centrally located between the destinations and sights described below. Here you can start your day with a dip in the lake and end the evening on the terrace.
In spring and autumn, the hotel is open on weekends and daily in summer. Breakfast is included with an overnight stay, by the way. In addition, the hotel offers various activities and packages for cycling or for a day of canoeing on the lake. It's best to check the website for current offers.
If you are traveling by camper, you will find numerous campsites in Dalsland. For the suggested weekend trip, for example, the Campsite in Håverud, which is located directly at the lake, is a good option.
Route for 2 Days in Dalsland: Your Perfect Weekend
Day 1: Your Start to the Dalsland Weekend
In the afternoon, set off from Gothenburg to your accommodation in Dalsland. Whether you stay at Upperud 9:9, choose the campsite, or have found other accommodation, use the evening to arrive and enjoy what makes Dalsland so special – the many lakes. At Upperud 9:9, there is a small sauna with a view of the lake – a relaxing start to the weekend.
Depending on when you arrive, a short paddling tour on the lake is also worthwhile. Upperud 9:9 offers its guests canoe rental, and in Håverud you can rent canoes from, among others, Håveruds Hotell. Or you can simply jump into the lake for an evening cool-down.
Day 2: Sights in Dalsland & Experiencing Nature
The morning starts with a typical Swedish breakfast buffet with muesli, yogurt, sourdough bread, eggs, and various fruits. In good weather, you can enjoy breakfast on the terrace directly by the lake. Get a packed lunch for the afternoon.
Håverud Aqueduct – Engineering at the Dalsland Canal
After breakfast, we start the day in Håverud, just a few minutes' drive from Upperud. The spectacular Håverud Aqueduct is one of the region's main attractions and a true feat of engineering. The idea for the aqueduct originated over 150 years ago when it was decided to transform Dalsland's lake system into a canal. However, due to the strong current in Håverud and the steep rock faces, the passage was considered impossible until the canal and railway builder Nils Ericson proposed a metal water bridge over which he intended to transport ships. The idea for the Håverud Aqueduct was born.
Today, Håverud is one of the most visited places in Dalsland. Especially in the summer months, it is a hive of activity, as not only many tourists come to visit the aqueduct, but the Dalsland Canal is also heavily frequented. In addition to excursion boats, it is many canoeists who use the extensive lake system and paddle through the locks and waterways.
In Håverud, you will find the Dalsland Center, a tourist information office, with various information materials and maps, as well as local products. There are also several restaurants where you can have lunch. Recommended is the Håfveruds Rökeri & Brasseri, however, it is not exactly cheap here, which is why we recommend taking a packed lunch with you at Upperud 9:9 instead.
Yttre Bodane Nature Reserve
From Håverud, we continue to the Yttre Bodane nature reserve on the west coast of Vänern. It is only about 30 minutes away and is one of the most beautiful places in Dalsland for us. Here, the coast of Vänern consists of an archipelago landscape, which transforms the otherwise rather wild lake into a relaxed coastal landscape that is perfect for swimming and kayaking. The many small bays with their crystal-clear water offer perfect spots for a picnic. If you have a lunch box packed, you are sure to find a great spot.
In the nature reserve, there are several shorter Hiking trails (approx. 1 – 4 km), which can be combined well.
Dinner at Upperud 9:9
The easiest and most relaxed way to have dinner is at Upperud 9:9. Here, they mainly cook with regional products and a lot of vegetables end up on the plates. This is accompanied by fish or meat from local agriculture.
Day 3: Hiking in Southern Sweden's largest nature area, Kroppefjäll
Nature & Hiking on Kroppefjäll
After breakfast, we drive to Kroppefjäll for hiking. With around 23,000 hectares and 12 nature reserves, it is the largest contiguous natural area in southern Sweden and therefore an absolute paradise if you like being outdoors. The area is characterized by dense forests, small lakes, moors, and open rocky areas that offer wide views over the surrounding landscape. Here you will find over 100 kilometers of marked hiking trails, which are interesting for both experienced and less experienced hikers. From short routes to multi-day tours, Kroppefjäll has everything to offer.
There are some Online maps, that provide a good overview of the hiking trails; alternatively, you can ask directly at your accommodation. They will be happy to help you find a suitable hike. We are doing the hike marked with the number 2 (orange) on the map and can highly recommend it. The trails are well marked, but can be partially wet depending on the weather. Sturdy shoes are definitely recommended.
Return trip to Gothenburg
On the way back to Gothenburg, we make a stop at Nuntorps Gård . In the lovingly furnished farm shop, you will find many regional products, and in the associated farm restaurant, we treat ourselves to a late lunch or early dinner. The homemade sourdough pizzas are particularly recommended. They are really delicious and the price is reasonable. The restaurant and the farm shop are open Monday to Saturday until 4 p.m.
Add-on: Cafés and Flea Markets (Loppis)
One of the most beautiful aspects of a Dalsland road trip is the many cafés and flea markets that are open here, especially on weekends. If you still have some time during your days, be sure to look out for signs on the roadside indicating a Loppis or a café. Loppis is the Swedish word for flea market, and especially in the summer months, there are many cafés and flea markets in Dalsland, often located in typical red Swedish houses in the middle of nature. A spontaneous stop is always worthwhile and makes a road trip through Dalsland so special.
Some of our favorites located near this route are:
- Åsmule Cafe
- Ekholmen Cafe & Gårdsbutik
- Vassvikens Gammalt & Nytt (Flea market)
- Flea market in the Annexe (Flea market)
We discovered many of these rather by chance when driving by. So be sure to keep your eyes open. Most are only open during the summer months or on weekends.
Conclusion: Why is this route perfect for a weekend in Dalsland?
Since Mats originally comes from Dalsland, we travel in the area quite often. I especially love the beautiful nature here and the fact that the nearest lake is never very far away. With only a 2-hour drive from Gothenburg, you can find so much peace and relaxation here that a weekend in Dalsland always feels like a mini-vacation.
Dalsland has much more to offer, of course, but with this route, we have put together a trip for you that will allow you to discover some of the most beautiful corners of Dalsland in just two days, without stress and with enough time for spontaneous stops along the way.
We hope you will enjoy your weekend in Dalsland as much as we do every time.
FAQ – 2 Days in Dalsland
The easiest way to reach Dalsland is by car via the E45 in about 2-3 hours. Alternatively, you can take the train to Mellerud and then travel on by bus.
You can also travel to and within Dalsland using public transport, but you will be significantly more flexible with a car. Not everything is accessible by bus, and on some routes, buses only run very irregularly.
Dalsland can be visited year-round, but the best time is between May and September when the weather is mild and cafes, flea markets, and activities are open.
No, as is typical in Sweden, you don't need cash. Unlike in Germany, you can often only pay by card here and cash is not accepted, even in small rural cafes.
