The Swedish Transport Administration has produced a document for national cycle paths which is the basis for the design of the cycle paths: Cycle paths for recreation and tourism. Classification, the quality criterion and marking. Among other things, it must be a quality-assured traffic-safe and attractive trail with a wide range of services along the trail. Within reasonable distances, there must be accommodation, food options and public transport, but the trail must also pass attractions and showcase natural areas, cultural history, countryside and village life.

The trail must be over 20 miles long and being a national tourism cycle trail guarantees that the trail is open annually between April 15th and October 15th. The trail can be used both in mixed traffic on a low-traffic road network, on a gravel surface or on an asphalted cycle track. Regardless of the surface, the trail must always be comfortable and safe.

There are currently three cycle paths in Sweden that achieve this certification, it is the Kattegattleden which has been given path number 1, the Sydostleden which is cycle path number 2 and the Sydkustleden which is cycle path no. 3.

Organisation

Region Skåne is the principal authority and has the overall responsibility for the Sydostleden and Sydkustleden. Together with the regions and municipalities that are part of the cycle routes, they manage matters related to infrastructure, destination development, and marketing of the routes nationally and internationally.

It is the respective road manager who is responsible for operation and maintenance on the trail. On the national road network, the Swedish Transport Administration is responsible, on municipal roads each municipality manages its sections and in some cases it is individual road managers.