120 km along canal and lake in September 2026
Vätternrundan launches on 12 September 2026 his first gravel event: Vätternrundan Gravel, a 120 kilometre recreational ride near Motala in Sweden. The route largely follows the Gota Canal en runs past lakes and through forest, with a mix of approximately 70 percent gravel, 29 percent asphalt and a short trail section.
The registration is open since 9 April, with an early-bird rate available until 21 April. This is the debut edition of the gravel branch of the event, which until now has focused on road races and non-competitive mass participatory events.
According to Oskar Sundblad, CEO of Vätternrundan, this was the logical next step: “Of course, the world's biggest recreational cycling event should also have a gravel race.” He added that the event is intended “to make cycling accessible to more people.”
Start and finish at the tomb of Baltzar von Platen.
The ride starts and finishes at the monument of Baltzar von Platen at Motala. From there the route goes to Borensberg Languages More drills, and along more than 20 kilometres of the Gota Canal. En route you will pass the lock complexes at Borenshult and Mountain. The route goes through the Stjärnorp-area with views of the Meer Roxen (north). The terminus is the ruin of Stjärnorp Castle at the lake, after which you return to Motala.
The terrain is predominantly flat. The route is accessible to many different cyclists, regardless of whether you have a dedicated gravel bike, mountain bike, cyclocross bike, or even an old-fashioned city bike.
Six support posts and four pace-setting groups
The organisation has set up six aid stations along the route. Participants can sign up for one of four self-selected pace groups:
- Advanced (under 3:40 min/km, >32 km/h)
- Tricky (under 4:40 am, >25 km/h)
- Medium (under 5:40 am, >20 km/h)
- Moderate (under 7 hours, >15 km/h)
The start window is from 9:30 AM to approximately 10:10 AM. There are closing times per support post: Kolstorp Close at 12:00, Mountain at 15:30, Skedevi at 17:30, and the finish in Motala at 19:30. Participants must reach every checkpoint at least 20 minutes before it closes.
Practical details
The minimum age is the year you turn 15. Library cards can be collected at Friday 11 September and on race day from 07:30 until 15 minutes before your start time at the Motala Sports Park (Bangårdsgatan 3). Douches and changing rooms are available at the same location.
The pioneer discount amounts to £850 is valid until April 21st. After that, the price will rise to SEK 950 (until September 7th), then SEK 1,250 (September 8th until race day) and upon on-site registration.
Why this moment
Vätternrundan positions gravel as “one of the hottest trends in cycling” and sees the Göta Canal as one of the best cycling routes in the world. By adding a recreational gravel event, the brand extends its season and attracts new types of cyclists. The event is set up as a recreational tour through a landscape with a rich canal history.
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