Beautifully-developed cycle paths, the freedom to roam, deserted sandy beaches, sauna with a seawater bath, picturesque fishing villages and pulsating metropolises – a 260-kilometre (161-mile) cycling tour through Skåne, along the south-west coast of Sweden, is a wonderful adventure. You soon realise that Sweden is a country that welcomes cyclists with open arms. Discover the history of the Vikings, the thriving and bicycle-friendly city of Malmö, countless nature reserves and Swedish delicacies such as Kanelbullar cinnamon rolls.

The Sydkustleden takes you on a journey along a well-developed and signposted cycle route from the charming fishing village of Simrishamn to the lively port city of Helsingborg. Your route passes through the scenic coastal towns of Ystad and Trelleborg via the Skanör peninsula. You then cycle past the world's longest cable-stayed bridge, which connects the cycling metropolises of Copenhagen and Malmö, and continue on to Landskrona, which lies just off the protected island of Ven. From here, you’re a short ride away from Helsingborg, a port city brimming with culture.

In this Collection, I’ve compiled the six stages of the Sydkustleden according to the official route. Ranging in length from 26 and 58 kilometres (16 and 36 miles), the stages follow excellent, safe cycle paths with no steep gradients. Whether you are a beginner, young or old, this route is suitable for everyone. Ambitious cyclists can decide for themselves where to end the stages and how many kilometres they would like to ride.

The freedom to roam in Sweden allows you to decide each evening where you want to pitch your tent. However, you should ask for permission before staying on private property and respect the privacy around residential buildings. You can easily find suitable places to stay en route as there are many shelters and barbecue areas, even complete with sea views and public toilets. This makes wild camping both exciting and comfortable. You can also book cosy accommodation at the stage destinations such as holiday apartments, guesthouses and B&Bs online.

To reach the start of your journey, you can travel by ferry from Ystad or Trelleborg. The fastest ferry connection at the moment is two and a half hours from Sassnitz to Ystad. You can travel via Rostock or Travemünde to Trelleborg. From here, you can take the Swedish regional train Skanetrafiken to the starting point Simrishamn.