Canoe Tours on Rottnan

Overview

Duration: 4 days/3 nights.

Accommodation: Wild camping.

Required: Swimming ability for adults, good health, average fitness/strength. Suitable for the whole family. Canoe on Rottnan always has a minimum charge of the cost for 4 adults due to transport logistics, though you are welcome to do the tour as 2 or 3 persons.

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Rottnan is a small forest river which offers wonderful canoeing in a beautiful, quiet and remote setting. As no land transports are required for this tour, Canoe on Rottnan is the ideal option for those seeking a shorter remote canoe tour suitable for the whole family or an adult tour with a lower level of physical 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.

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 inteneded to be easily covered in the time available, 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!

Canoe on Rottnan is a canoeing holiday particularly suitable for families or friends travelling together, with very flexible start days/times from early spring until autumn. As transfers are arranged on a custom basis for this tour, Canoe on Rottnan always has a minimum charge of the cost for 4 adults, though you are welcome to do the tour as just 2 or 3 persons.

Canoeing for odd-numbered groups

Canoes used are 2-person Canadian canoes but can also accommodate three persons. For odd numbers, one person will normally paddle solo. If you have not paddled before, this can take a short time to get used to, but otherwise presents few problems. Bear in mind that paddling solo will add to the level of challenge, especially in windy conditions. You can also choose to have three persons in one canoe, though note that this will limit available space for packing. This does not affect the price - please let us know when booking which option you prefer. Canoe on Rottnan has no land transports.

Itinerary

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

Start Day

Start times for Canoe on Rottnan are by arrangement. Your canoe tour begins at the meeting point in Torsby, where you will receive your equipment and some guidance on paddling technique and have a chance to ask any questions. You can also buy a fishing licence for the tour if you wish (please advise in advance). From Torsby you will be transferred by minibus to the starting point - the tour starts 10 metres over the border into Norway at Rottnemon.

The Rest of the Tour

Your course runs downstream through Ingevadsjöarna. Towards Koskilamp the river current can be stronger for a while, depending on the water level (but there is no white water). Then you pass the lakes of Långsjön and the Lake Vittjärnsjön, which have crystal clear water. Your canoe trip continues along the river Rottnan until you reach Skallbergssjön.

End Day

End times for Canoe on Rottnan are by arrangement. You will be met at the end point for return transfer to Torsby.

Dates & Prices

Dates

Start any day except Sundays 01.05-30.09.12, times by arrangement. NB: No starts/ends 14.06 or 15.06.12

The Price

Prices are in British Pounds. If you wish, you are also welcome to make your payment by bank transfer in Euros or Swedish Kronor. If this would be of interest, please let us know and we will be happy to provide prices.

As transfers at the start and end of your canoe tour are arranged depending on your wishes, Canoe on Rottnan has a minimum charge of the cost for 4 adults due to transport logistics. Smaller groups are possible (for safety reasons must contain minimum 2 adults), charged at the full rate for 4 adults.

Basic package includes canoe and kitchen equipment.

	4-day tour
Adult	£132
Child 3-15	£67

What The Price Includes

• Canoe equipment: 2-person Canadian canoe, paddles, buoyancy aids, one waterproof pack cylinder per canoe, water can, canoe rope, topographical map, toilet spade, cleaning sponge and rubbish bags.
• Kitchen equipment: Trangia hurricane stove* with methylated spirit, 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: 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.

What The Price Does Not Include

Please see "Optional Extras" below.

• Food: This tour runs in a remote 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

Optional Extras

	Sleeping bag package	Tent*
Adult	£15	£55
Child 3-15	£15

*Price given is per tent.

• Tent (see image below): High quality 3/4-person Hilleberg tents. Please note that, like all tents rated 4 persons, the tents are most comfortable for 3 adults.
• Sleeping Bag Package: Includes sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner and foam sleeping mat.

Fishing licences can be purchased at the meeting point - please let us know in advance if you would like to fish during your canoe tour.

Practical Info

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 used to and enjoy outdoor life.

This canoe tour is on calm flowing water and the route involves no lifting. However, 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.

Equipment/clothes needed

A detailed recommended equipment list will be sent with your booking confirmation.

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.

Groups

Canoe in Rottnan is an ideal canoe tour for groups. For group bookings, we offer every 14th participant free of charge.

About The Area: 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.

Additional Notes

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

Location

Detailed information on travel options will be sent with your booking documentation. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.

By Air

You can choose to fly to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Oslo airports. From here, you travel by public transport to Torsby (around 5-6 hours depending on options chosen) or by hire car.

Without Flying

Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg (Denmark). Driving time to Torsby is around 10 hours.

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