THE YARN MERCHANTS’ MANOR HOUSES TOUR – A CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL CYCLE TOUR.
A self guided cultural and historical cycle tour winding, like a thread, through the lovely textile districts of Sjuhärad, part of West Sweden. The route takes you across three rivers, over beautiful old stone arch bridges, and visits Sweden’s oldest surviving spinning mill (Rydals museum). You’ll stay in two small historic hotels – a renovated yarn merchant’s manor house which is climate smart (Lydde gård), and a listed mill by a waterfall (Kvarnen i Hyssna) which has a Nordic Swan Ecolabel certification.
First day – Arrival at Lydde Manor
An avenue of old maples leads up to Lydde Manor, a former yarn merchant’s manor from the 1800s, surrounded by a large garden. The building has been carefully renovated using time honoured techniques, and most of the rooms have a traditional Swedish tile stove. Installing solar panels has made the manor completely self sufficient in electricity production, and there is a charging station for guests with electric cars. While you’re enjoying dinner hear the fascinating history of the yarn merchants’ manor houses, and get a run through of the following days’ cycle rides, and all the fantastic historic gems (link to gems) to see along the way. Read more about your journey through history here. (link to the history text)
Second day - Lydde Manor to Kvarnen i Hyssna via Rydal (22 km)
After a good night’s sleep on organic sheets, and a hearty breakfast at Lydde Manor, you’ll be ready to start your cycle ride. Leave Kinna and ride to Rydals museum,along gravel roads winding prettily by the Viskan river, passing several historically interesting farms. In Rydal you can explore the picturesque industrial heritage site, and go on a guided tour of Sweden’s oldest surviving spinning mill. Your guide will show you around, demonstrate the machines, and talk about the factory, the workers, and life in Rydal. As you continue along the winding roads towards Hyssna, you’ll pass the lovely viewpoint at Liagärdes Hill, a great place to stop and enjoy the snack provided. Your destination is Kvarnen i Hyssna, a hotel, restaurant and conference centre owned by a family of millers. In this listed linear village along the banks of the meandering river Surtan with its many waterfalls, you’ll find the old mill and frame saw works, and what was once the old village smithy. Current saw master Hans will tell you all about it. Locally produced food will be on the menu in the restaurant which is a member of A Taste of West Sweden, as well as having a Nordic Swan Ecolabel certification.
You can look forward to a lovely evening meal in delightful surroundings, and maybe even enjoy a relaxing bathe in the heated pool.
Third day – Kvarnen i Hyssna to Lydde Manor via Fritsla and Seglora (33 km)
Today’s cycle ride takes you along quiet, winding roads through beautiful varied countryside. You’ll pass some gems like the lovely stone arch bridge, and the church, in Seglora. Read more about these here. (link to gems) Stop to enjoy the picnic provided anywhere you choose along the route. Return your bikes when you arrive back at Lydde Manor, full of great memories after three wonderful days full of culture and history. Why not stay another night in these harmonious surroundings, and explore more of Sjuhärads cycle and walking trails? (Link to trails in Sjuhärad) The Sjuhärad Trail and the Hyssna Trail (link) are two lovely trails in the vicinity.
Terrain type along the route.
Day 1
The first part of the route, to Rydal, is mostly along gravelled country roads and is relatively flat (8.8 km). Just before you get to Rydal you’ll be cycling on a slightly larger main road, and after that, on a winding, lightly trafficked asphalt road that is hilly in parts, all the way to Kvarnen i Hyssna (12.8 km).
Day 2
This bit is mostly on asphalted country roads which are hilly in parts. Between Seglora and Fritsla the road is gravelled.
The package includes:
Price: 2590 sek
2 nights in a hotel
2 breakfasts
2 packed lunches including drinks (and fruit/snack)
2 two course dinners made with organic ingredients
1 entrance to and guided tour of Rydals Museum
1 map
1 trip itinerary with guide to the best attractions and a potted history.
Optional extra: Outdoor Spa 200 SEK per person
Baggage transfer (optional – please ask for a price)
Optional extra nights ( From 600 SEK per person)
Optional pizza making at Lydde Manor for groups (please ask for a price)
Showers are available for use when you reach your endpoint at Lydde Manor.
Free parking, and charging stations for electric cars
Optionals rent a bike (please ask for a price)
Find us:
Kinna/Hyssna is in West Sweden, 30 minutes from Borås and 50 minutes from Gothenburg. It’s easy to get here by bus, train or car. Kinna station is just 1 km from Lydde Manor.
Bus and train: It’s easy to travel on Västtrafik buses and trains to Kinna/Hyssna Station, which is about 1 km from Lydde Manor. The journey from Gothenburg by bus takes around an hour, and from Borås by train, 20 minutes.
Car:Lydde Manor is just off road 41 between Borås and Varberg, in the lovely Häggådalen valley about 800 metres from the centre of Kinna. It’s 30 minutes to Borås, 50 mins to Varberg and Gothenburg, and 35 minutes to Landvetter airport. The manor has free parking, and charging stations for electric cars.
