Self-guided Sea Kayaking on the High Coast

Overview

Duration: 3, 5 or 7 days.

Accommodation: Wild camping.

Required: Previous experience of self-guided sea kayaking required. General good health and swimming ability, min. 2 persons required. Minimum age 18.

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Sweden's High Coast - "Höga Kusten" - is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sweden's premier sea kayaking destinations.

Self-guided Sea Kayaking on the High Coast gives you the opportunity to explore this beautiful coastal and island area at your own pace on a self-guided kayak tour over 3, 5 or 7 days. The tour features wild camping on islands and coastal spots of your choosing along the way.

You will be provided with kayak equipment, maps, route information and emergency communication equipment. Camping equipment, including tent, cooking stove and inflatable sleeping mat, is also available to hire as an optional extra. Accommodation in the local area for nights before and/or after your tour is also available.

Self-guided Sea Kayaking on the High Coast is a very flexible sea kayaking experience in a stunning coastal region. Heading north up the coast from your start point, there are a number of possible routes, taking you inside or outside the network of islands, allowing time to explore the bays and fjords or paddling a more direct route.

There is a choice of possible of pick-up points at the end of your kayak tour. You can therefore adapt the distance covered according to your abilities, energy levels and weather conditions for the best possible kayaking experience. Towards the end of your tour, you simply contact the kayak centre using the communication equipment provided to decide your pick-up point for return transfer. The kayak centre has a GPS locator, so will always know where you are.

The unique nature of the High Coast is a result of its dramatic geological history. The stunning landscapes and seascapes of the High Coast area, with its coastline and islands rising steeply from the sea below, are products of its glacial past. During the last Ice Age 9,600 years ago the coast was deep beneath a layer of ice 3km thick. When the ice melted, the High Coast rose faster than any other piece of land in the world - hence its name.

The High Coast is a diverse and beautiful region, containing many areas of wilderness as well as small fishing villages and pretty summer houses, and is an ideal environment for exploring by sea kayak. Conditions in summertime are normally sunny and warm with light winds, making even the outer archipelago accessible for self-guided paddling, though of course windy conditions can occur and you must be prepared to adapt your itinerary and plans accordingly.

Self-guided Sea Kayaking on the High Coast is suitable for those with previous experience of sea kayaking. For paddlers with greater experience, many possibilities exist for variations and extensions to the standard routes to allow you to adapt the level of challenge and distances covered according your wishes.

Itinerary

Start day

We recommend that you overnight in Härnösand before your tour (see "Optional extras" below). You will be met at your accommodation at around 08.00-09.00 (according to your preference) and walk to the kayak centre to collect your equipment and check your packing for the tour together with the local staff. If you have arrived late the evening before and have not yet had time to purchase provisions, time can be allowed for this in the morning before meeting at the kayak centre latest 10.00. Here you will be instructed in how to use the safety equipment and other gear before loading the kayaks to begin your tour, paddling north from the kayak centre along the High Coast.

Following days

Depending on the chosen duration of your kayak tour, you spend the following days paddling in the UNESCO World Heritage area of the High Coast, camping wild along the way. There are many points of interest to explore, including:

• The lovely uninhabitated island of Storöoun.
• The scenic area of Gaviks Fjord and the beautiful neighbouring lake of Nordingråsjön (an area renowned among artists for its distinctive landscape of forest-clad hills).
• The area of Rotsidan with its low, flat, granite rocks - perfect for sunbathing.
• Högbonden with its lighthouse and the fishing village of Bönhamn, perhaps taking a detour into the Omne Fjord or, in good weather, out to the islands of Ulvö.
• The fishing village of Ulvöhamn.
• Sweden's highest island, Mjältön, 236m above sea level.
• The coast along Skuleskogens National Park.

End day

You should be prepared to adapt the distance covered and the route taken depending on weather conditions and your energy levels and wishes. The day before your tour ends, contact the kayak centre using the communication equipment provided to decide on the pick-up point for your end day. You will be met at the agreed time for return transfer to the kayak centre. Please clean and rinse your kayak equipment before pick-up.

Accommodation before and/or after your tour

We recommend that you plan to overnight in the area both before and after your tour. Accommodation is available as an add-on for this experience - please see "Optional extras" below.

Dates & Prices

Dates

Start days by arrangement 01.06-31.08.12.

Note if kayaking in early June that you should be prepared for cooler conditions. In the first half of June and second half of August, opening hours for facilities along the route may be more limited.

The experience begins in the morning on the start day and ends with pick-up at the agreed end point in the afternoon/evening on the end day.

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.

• 3-day tour: £221/person
• 5-day tour: £333/person
• 7-day tour: £423/person

What The Price Includes

Transfers

• Pick-up/drop-off at Hämrnösand bus or train station (in connection with start/end of your tour or with accommodation added as optional extra).
• Return transfer to the kayak centre at the end of your tour.

Equipment per person

• Kayaks: Rotomoulded high quality British kayaks from P and H and Valley (Capella, Scorpio, Nordkapp) are used as standard. For more experienced participants, a limited number of glass fibre kayaks (Aquanaut HV, Nordkapp, Cetus) are available on request. Double kayaks (K2) are also available (EcoNiizh Tandem from New Zealand).
• Paddle, buoyancy aid, splash skirt.
• 2 x waterproof bags (1 x 20 litre, 1 x 8 litre).

Equipment per group

• Extra paddle
• Paddle float
• Bilge pump
• Toilet spade
• Waterproof map/sea-map with outline route suggestions
• A mobile phone with Swedish network. NB: This is to be used only to communicate with the kayak centre to arrange pick-up for the end day of your tour or in the event of very bad weather, injury, etc. It will normally be possible to pick you up that evening, provided you are able to paddle to a point with road access. For immediate emergency assistance, dial 112 or use the SPOT device.
• A SPOT emergency message transmitter, waterproof (pressing a button sends an alarm signal via 112, the emergency services number; there is a rescue station in Härnösand).
• The kayak centre also has a GPS locator to monitor your position.

Please note that equipment must be returned in the same condition as rented. At the end of the tour, the kayak equipment should be cleaned and rinsed before pick-up.

What The Price Does Not Include

• Meals. Self-catering. Camping stove can be hired as optional extra. We recommend that you bring all provisions for your tour with you from the start. There are food stores in Härnösand. There are also a limited number of small stores along the route to purchase additional supplies, though we do not recommend that you rely on these for essential provisions as you may arrive outside opening hours.
• Camping equipment (can be hired as optional extra).

Optional Extras

Accommodation

Accommodation includes bedding, towels and breakfast.

• Before your tour: £40/person/night. Good hostel-standard accommodation, centrally-located, private rooms with en-suite shower and WC. Self-catering facilties or restaurants are also available in town. You should purchase provisions for your tour here in Härnösand - the accommodation is just a short walk to the shops.
• After your tour: £53/person/night. Attractive guest house within walking distance of town, private rooms with shared WC/shower. If accommodation at the guest house is not available, alternative accommodation will be offered as for before the tour above.

Camping package

2-3 person tent + cooking stove (Trangia-style*) with pans. Fuel is included. Please note that sleeping bag is not included.

*Sample contents (stove supplied may differ from that pictured):

Please note that, like all tents rated 3 persons, the tents will be most comfortable for 2 adults.

• 3-day tour: £84/package
• 5-day tour: £120/package
• 7-day tour: £142/package

Inflatable sleeping mattress

• 3-day tour: £22/person
• 5-day tour: £30/person
• 7-day tour: £37/person

Kayak compass mountable on kayak

• 3-day tour: £15
• 5-day tour: £19
• 7-day tour: £22

Practical Info

Health requirements/experience

Minimum 2 adults required for safety reasons. Minimum age 18.

This tour is not suitable for beginners. You should have some previous experience of self-guided sea kayaking, be used to and enjoy the outdoor life and be able to swim. The experience is completely self-guided and it is important that you are comfortable travelling independently on the water in different weather conditions. You must also be able to navigate using a map and compass. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions regarding your suitability for the tour.

Those with limited experience may prefer to request double kayaks, which are the most stable option.

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

This experience is suitable for groups. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Höga Kusten

Its turbulent past has given the High Coast a number of special characteristics, including the distintive red Nordingrå granite found in the rocks and cliffs.

The constant exposure of new land and changes in temperature over the last few thousand years mean the forests are home to a wide range of flora normally rare at these latitudes: southern, eastern continental, western oceanic, northern boreal and even alpine.

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

Fly to Stockholm for train to Härnösand (approx. 4-5 hours). Bus services as well as night train connections are also available.

Without Flying

Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg (Denmark) for onward train connections to Härnösand.

Map of Sweden