Upplev Vättern

Take a trip around Sweden's second largest lake

Vättern, Sweden's second largest lake, surrounded by mountains to the south and a beautiful archipelago to the north. Every year the Vätternrundan cycle race takes place around the lake, a 315-kilometer race that attracts several thousand cyclists.

Vättern is 135 kilometers long and has an average width of about 15 kilometers. At its deepest point south of Visingsö, the lake is 128 meters deep and it lies 88 meters above sea level. Vättern borders 4 provinces, Östergötland, Västergötland, Småland and Närke.

Places to visit around the lake

You can get around Vättern by bike or car or walk if you prefer. It doesn't matter if you go clockwise or anticlockwise, you choose. It's good to have plenty of time so you can stop and enjoy the lake in many different places. If you start in Jönköping and go north on the western side, a first stop could be at Domsand, here you can enjoy the sandy beach and a swim, go further north and the next stop will be in Hjo and enjoy an ice cream and stroll around the small town.

Continue to Karlsborg and visit the fortress. Stop by the large and small Hammarsund bridges and see lake Vättern far below.

Visit the little gem Askersund, beautifully situated in the northern part of Lake Vättern. Then it's time to turn south again. A stop in Vadstena and visit the monastery, stop at Omberg for Ellen Key beach or walk a loop up to the top and enjoy the view there.

Continue down to the candy town of Gränna and through Äppledalen and you are back in Jönköping. If you want more tips and information, you can visit the Around Vättern website.

Visit runt Vättern's websiteOpens in new window.

Char Day and Trout Day

In October every year, Char Day and Trout Day are held at several places around the lake shores. Then you can see the red spawning char. Trout safaris are usually held in the waterways around Vättern every autumn when you can see the trout spawning.

Exhibition about the nature and culture of lake Vättern

In a port building in Hästholmen is the Vättern Room, where an exhibition is shown describing the nature and culture of Vättern. A film shows the salvage of the steamship Per Brahe in Hästholmen in 1922. There are also large aquariums, where you can see some of Vättern's fish species.

Do you want to experience more of the places around Vättern?

There is much more to do and discover around lake Vättern. Visit runt Vätterns website for more information. External link, opens in new window.