Canoe Tours on Rottnan (Sweden)

A taste of the wilderness suitable for both adults and families

Rottnan is a small forest river widening into wider lake sections which offers wonderful canoeing in a beautiful, quiet and fairly remote setting. As no land transports are required for this tour, Canoe on Rottnan is the ideal option for those seeking a shorter but moderately remote canoe tour suitable for the whole family or an adult tour with a relaxed pace and level of challenge.

The tour starts on the Swedish/Norwegian border by Rottnemon and ends approximately 35km south by lake Skallbergsjön. Narrow and winding parts where pine and spruce trees stand close to the river blend with smaller lakes and open views. The river runs through Värmland's Finnish Forest and offers a real wilderness feeling. You will also pass a small village and some rural areas on your way south.

The tour is a great choice for accessible canoeing in a tranquil and attractive forest landscape. Photo: Robyn Babb.

Keep a lookout for wildlife - the Rottnan area is home to a wide variety of animals and if you keep quiet and still near dusk you may see beaver in the river from your canoe.

With the distance intended to be easily covered in the time available (around 35km in total), Canoe on Rottnan is a relaxed paddling experience - take time to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the region, do some fishing, or take some hours to go hiking through the forests. The stresses of modern life feel a long way off with a paddle in your hand!

Canoeing for odd-numbered groups

Canoes used are 2-person Canadian canoes but can also accommodate three persons. For odd numbers, there are two possibilities - please specify your chosen option when booking (option chosen does not affect the price):

• Paddle three persons in one canoe. This reduces the level of challenge but note that this option will limit available space for packing (this option is not recommended if your party is only three persons in total).
• Extra person uses sit-on-top kayak as alternative to canoe. The majority of packing for this extra person will then be carried in one of the canoes.

Why not combine your canoe tour with Timber Rafting Taster and try some timber rafting during your trip?

Arrival

Detailed information you will need for your experience, including a description of the route, is sent out once full payment has been received.

Your canoe tour begins at the meeting point in Torsby at 14.00.

Here you will receive your equipment and some guidance on paddling technique and have a chance to ask any questions. If you are planning to fish during your tour, a fishing licence must be purchased in advance online (instructions will be given in your booking documentation).

A short distance west of the start is a beaver hide. You will be transferred by minibus to the starting point - the tour starts just over the border into Norway.

Following Days

Launching inot the lake of Övre Ingevadsjön, you head south through a narrow passage to the lake of Nedre Ingevadsjön and from there, your course runs gently downstream on the Rottnan river. This section is particularly scenic and you may have the added adventure of some obstacles to negotiate such as low-hanging branches and fallen trees. If water levels are low, it may be necessary to step out of the canoe and pull it past the most shallow spots.

The river opens into two small lakes, which can be a particularly good area to spot beavers, before contining on a narrow section of river towards Koskilamp. Here the river current can be stronger for a while, depending on the water level (but there is no white water). You pass the lake of Långsjön, where there is a lovely camping spot with wind shelter you may wish to use, before the river narrows and you may again encounter some obstacles.

You reach Lake Vittjärnsjön and the beautiful pond at Persilamp, which has crystal clear water. From here, your canoe trip continues through narrow river streches and small lakes. Passing Lekvattnet, there is an interesting outdoor museum focusing on the lives of the Finnish settlers, who gave the area its name and special character (and is a very good spot for waffles!).

The last part of the tour takes you along the river Rottnan until you reach the end point in Skallbergssjön.

Departure

Pick up at the end point at 13.00 for return transfer to Torsby, back in Torsby around 13.30.

Groups: Price per person regardless of age. Group rates apply for group size min. 14 persons.

Included

• Canoe equipment: 2-person Canadian canoe, paddles, buoyancy aids, one waterproof pack barrel per canoe (approx. 60 litres), water can (5 litres), canoe rope, topographical map, toilet spade (toilet paper is not included), cleaning sponge and rubbish bags.
• Kitchen equipment: Trangia hurricane stove* with fuel, cups, plates, cutlery, carving knife, cutting board, spatula, cheese slicer, whip, butter knife, can/bottle opener, potato peeler, bowl, dish brush, washing-up liquid, kitchen roll, matches and storage box.
• Instructor: Instruction meeting before your tour starts.
• Transfers (Rottnan): Transport by minibus for participants and equipment from the meeting point in Torsby to/from the start and end point of the tour.

*Exact contents may differ from example shown

Please be careful with the canoe and the rest of your equipment! If some part of the equipment should break as a result of misuse or carelessness, you may be charged for the damage caused.

Not Included

Please see "Prices > Optional Extras".

• Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
• Food: The tour runs in a remote/rural area with no opportunities to buy food along the way. We recommend you bring all food with you from the start. There are opportunities to shop in Torsby before you leave.
• Tent
• Sleeping Bag

Required

Health requirements/experience:

Swimming ability required by adults. All participation at own risk. Minimum 2 adults*.

You should be in good health and have a reasonable level of fitness and strength. No previous knowledge or experience of canoeing is required, but we recommend that you are generally used to and enjoy outdoor life.

The tour features wild camping on all nights, but there are also some spots with fireplaces and wind shelters which may be utilised.

This canoe tour is on calm flowing water and the route involves no lifting. However, at some points you may need to negotiate some obstacles in the river such as fallen trees or low-hanging branches, and during dry summers when water levels are low, you may have to step out of the canoe and drag the canoe next to you for short distances.

*This tour is also suitable for solo adult + child(ren), depending on ages of children and previous outdoor experience. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

What makes this "Easy"?

As a 4-day tour, level of challenge will typically be lower than a longer canoe tour in similar landscape. Minimal land transports are required and the Rottnan route is accessible to a wide range of participants, including families.

NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.

Equipment/clothes needed:

For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".

A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.

Preparing for your trip:

For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.

Combine This With

This experience makes a good combination with the following:

• Lakeside Cabin Retreat in Värmland (4 or more days, 45 mins by transfer)
• Log Cabin Escape in Värmland (4 or more days, 45 mins by transfer)
• Timber Rafting Taster (2 days/1 night, 40 mins by bus)

Groups

Canoe in Rottnan is an ideal canoe tour for groups. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Eco Info

This provider has received a prestigious Swedish Ecotourism award for its commitment to high standards to cultural and environmental sensitivity.

The Finnish Forest:

The Rottnan meanders through the north Värmland Finnish Forest, named after the Finnish farmers who migrated here from the east during the 16th and 17th centuries. They specialised in burning and beating the land - their whole way of life was based around this technique. On the burnt land they cultivated rye, and in this way managed to sustain themselves in this isolated forest landscape (the land was considered far too hostile by Swedish farmers). It was here that the largest Finnish communal buildings were erected. Today the Finnish place names and traditional dishes still survive and a number of farms have been preserved in their original condition.