Lidköping to Mariestad

Sweden, being the birthplace of the "flight shame" movement, offers a plethora of scenic train routes, including the Stockholm to Narvik line (in Norway's Arctic Circle), which is a true landmark. It is, however, a long one that necessitates preparation.

The Lidköping to Mariestad route, which was chosen Sweden's nicest train travel by rail customers in 2018, is a shorter option. As it proceeds northeast, the single-track railway skirts around Vänern, the country's largest lake, riding up into the Kinnekulle plateau for superb lake vistas. Are you tired of looking at the lake? In the winter, keep an eye out for deer and moose along the line, or visit in the spring when the plateau is carpeted with wild garlic.

• Country: Sweden