Canoe and Wild Camp in the Båven Lake System (Sweden)

From easy-going, family-friendly tours to challenging expeditions

There are three main route options to choose from, all of which offer possibilities for variation and extension:

Option 1 - Discover Båven (4-10 days):

The most flexible route and requiring no land transports, this tour is suitable for anyone from families or adults wanting an easy-going adventure to experienced paddlers seeking an extended expedition.

Beginning and ending at the canoe tour, you are free to explore as much as little of the vast Båven lake system as you wish. The only limits are the time available and your energy levels (and of course the weather - as with any outdoor experience, always be prepared to adapt your plans depending on wind and weather condtions).

What better way to round off your lunch stop than with a refreshing swim? Photo: KS

As the tour stays on Lake Båven for the duration, no land transports are necessary. But there is plenty of variation - the lake system is a beautiful patchwork of islands, inlets, bays, and headlands. It is said that Båven has 365 islands, one for each day of the year!

Depending on how you wish to plan your route and time available, you can visit the northern regions of the lake. Stjärnhov offers the possibility to re-supply provisions, and Sparreholm has a small kiosk for snacks. You can also choose discover the nature and bird reserve areas of Båvenöarna, Hornafjärden and Dagnasön.

Option 2 - Båven Circular Tour (4-10 or more days):

The Circular Tour covers around 55km and requires minimum 4 days/3 nights.

Beginning and ending at the canoe centre, this is an ideal option if you would like a circular tour in a remote area with a moderate level of challenge. The route takes you south through the inland archipelago landscape of Lake Båven and into Lidsjön, before turning north back towards the canoe centre.

This tour offers wonderful paddling, including some scenic river channels on slow-flowing water, and involves total three land transports (800m, 400m and 3km).

Many of the lakes are connected by scenic river channels. Photo: KS

To extend your trip for durations up to 10 days or more, this route can also be easily combined with "Option 1 - Discover Båven". Begin by exploring Båven as above, before joining the Circular Tour route to complete your paddle adventure.

Option 3 - Båven Point-to-Point Explorer (4-10 days):

A wonderful "A-B" tour, also with very flexible duration and level of challenge. To begin your tour, you will be transported north-east from the canoe centre to the start point at Lake Dunkern. From here you paddle south, passing the small settlement of Sjtärnhov, and out into the Båven lake system.

For the shortest route (4 days/3 nights, approx. 45km), you turn west towards the canoe centre. This basic route requires two short, easy portages.

For a longer, more challenging trip, this can be extended by taking extra time to discover more of the Båven lake system as for "Option 1 - Discover Båven", or even including the "Option 2 - Båven Circular Tour" loop if you wish!

Choose to canoe or kayak, with camping equipment included and optional accommodation before/after your tour

The tours can be done using Canadian canoes or single/double kayaks. When travelling as 3 or more persons, you are of course welcome to choose a mix of craft for your tour:

• Canadian Canoe: Canoes used are suitable for 2 adults but can also accommodate up to 2 adults + 1 child up to 14 years. For shorter tours, 3 adults in canoe may also be possible.
• Single Kayak: Normally for additional adult in odd-numbered group, but 2 or more persons may also choose to use single kayaks for the tour.
• Double Kayak: Suitable for 2 adults or 1 adult + child aged 14 and over.

Sea kayaks are an alternative option to Canadian Canoes for the tour. Photo: KS

Camping equipment is provided, including tent, sleeping mattress (please bring own sleeping bag/liner) and cooking equipment. There is also simple but comfortable hostel accommodation at the canoe centre available as an optional extra, ideal to make the most relaxing and enjoyable start/end to your canoeing experience in the beautiful Båven area.

Arrival

Possible start times are 09.00-17.00 Monday-Friday and 09.00-15.00 Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays (unless choosing a tour option which requires transfer to the start point, in which case please arrive latest one hour before closing).

If you are adding a night in hostel accommodation before your tour, check-in is from 13.00. Please arrive by latest 20.00.

Before your tour begins, you will have a meeting with your local hosts to discuss the tour, including suggested route depending on expected weather and wind conditions, some guidance on paddle technique, how to pack the canoe/kayak, how to lift the canoe/kayak and how to use the trolley for land transports (if applicable).

When ready, you will begin your tour. Option 1 and Option 2 tours begin directly from the canoe centre. For Option 3 tours, you will be transferred from the canoe centre to the start point to begin your tour.

Following Days

NB: These are suggested route options only. The Båven lake system is large and you are free to explore as much or as little of the area as you wish in the time available depending on your planned route option, your energy levels/ability and wind and weather conditions.

Option 1: Discover Båven (4-10 days)

Beginning from the canoe centre, you paddle out into the Båven lake system to discover a beautiful inland archipelago network.

Depending on your preference and time available, you may paddle towards the northern part of the lake to reach Sparreholm (25km from the start point, approx. 2 days' paddling). In the north-eastern part of the lake system, the settlement of Stjärnhov (35km from the start point, approx. 2.5-3 days' paddling) has a small store.

Further south, the protected areas of Båvenöarna, Hornafjärden and Dagnasön offer wonderful paddling. NB: Special restrictions apply in protected areas and camping and fires are only permitted at designated spots. Additional information will be given in the meeting at the start of your tour if you are planning to paddle in these areas.

Option 2 - Båven Circular Tour (4-10 or more days):

Beginning from the canoe centre, the basic route covers around 55km (approx. 3-4 days' paddling). There are plenty of opportunities to extend the minimum distance if you wish.

Paddling into Lake Båven and through Lidsjön, you then turn north to make a loop back to the canoe centre. This route requires 3 land transports (800m, 400m and 3km).

For tours longer than 4 days, there is great flexibility to explore other parts of the Båven lake system as per Option 1 above, before joining the circular route to complete the tour.

Option 3 - Båven Point-to-Point Explorer (4-10 days):

Beginning with a transfer to Lake Dunkern, north-east of the canoe centre, the basic route covers around 45km (approx. 3-4 days' paddlling), also with plenty of flexibility to extend the minimum distance.

You then make your way south through Sjtärnhov in the north-east end of Båven, and back towards the canoe centre.

For longer tours, take time to explore more of Båven as per Option 1 above and/or include the Circular Tour as per Option 2.

Departure

All tours end back at the canoe centre, where you will return your equipment. Please return to the canoe centre by latest 20.00.

If you wish to add a night's accommodation before onward travel, this is available as an optional extra. Note that you will need to have provisions with you for this night. Check-out from hostel accommodation is latest 12.00.

Included

• Canoe package:
  • Canoe equipment: 2-person Canadian canoe (suitable for up to 2 adults + 1 child under 14), paddles, buoyancy aids, 2 x waterproof pack barrels or dry bags. Children under 14 travelling as 3rd person in canoe will receive extra seat, buoyancy aid and paddle. Canoes used are normally aluminium Linder 465, 495 or 525. The most suitable canoes will be offered depending on group size/composition.
  • Kitchen equipment: Trangia-style hurricane stove* (with two pots and frying pan). NB: Fuel is not included and can be purchased at the canoe centre. Please bring own camping plate/mug/cutlery.
  • Camping equipment: Tent, 1 x foam sleeping mat per person. NB: Please bring own sleeping bag and liner.
• Single kayak package:
  • Kayak equipment: Single kayak with paddle, buoyancy aid and dry bag. There are a range of kayak models available including Seabird, Hasle, Prijon and DAG. It is not possible to reserve a particular model of kayak in advance, but the most suitable craft will be offered to suit you.
  • Kitchen equipment: Trangia-style hurricane stove* (with two pots and frying pan). NB: Fuel is not included and can be purchased at the canoe centre. Please bring own camping plate/mug/cutlery.
  • Camping equipment: Tent, 1 x foam sleeping mat. NB: Please bring own sleeping bag and liner.
• Double kayak package:
  • Kayak equipment: Double kayak with paddles, buoyancy aids and 2 x dry bags. There are a range of kayak models available including Seabird, Hasle, Prijon and DAG. It is not possible to reserve a particular model of kayak in advance, but the most suitable craft will be offered to suit you.
  • Kitchen equipment: Trangia-style hurricane stove* (with two pots and frying pan). NB: Fuel is not included and can be purchased at the canoe centre. Please bring own camping plate/mug/cutlery.
  • Camping equipment: Tent (suitable for 2 adults), 2 x foam sleeping mat. NB: Please bring own sleeping bag and liner.

  Tents provided are suitable for 2 adults or 2 adults + 1 child. Some larger tents suitable for 2 adults + 2 children may also be available.

  

  *Exact contents may differ from example shown

• Other equipment:
  • Toilet spade, washing up sponge, drinking water containers.

Please be careful with the canoe/kayak 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

• 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.
• Fuel for camping stove (purchased on arrival).
• Sleeping bag/liner.
• Map: Map(s) needed for your tour are purchased on arrival according to your intended route.
• Food: You should purchase supplies for your tour in Flen before arriving at the canoe tour. Depending on the tour option chosen and route taken, there may be opportunities to re-supply along the route, but we recommend bringing all essential provisions with you from the start.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

Swimming ability required by all participants. Minimum 2 adults. Min. age 6 years (depending on tour option chosen - note that longer, more challenging tours will not be suitable for young children). You should be in good health with a good general level of fitness and strength and enjoy camping and life in the outdoors.

The canoe tours run either in one large lake system (Option 1 tours - no land transports required) or in a series of connected lakes. Some lakes are connected by river channels with calm, slow-flowing water, while at other times land transports will be required using the canoe/kayak trolleys provided.

Note that paddling on the lakes can be challenging in windy conditions and the water may be choppy. You should always plan your route to paddle in the most sheltered areas and avoid crossing large bodies of water, especially when conditions are windy.

Routes requiring land transports will also add to the level of challenge.

What makes this "Easy-Medium(+)"?

With three tour options and great flexibility in terms of route and distance, this experience can be a relaxed, easy-going canoe tour with no minimum distance to cover, or a challenging extended expedition covering significant distance and requiring a number of land transports.

Depending on the tour option and your choice of extensions/variations, the route can be varied to take in more rural areas with access to shops, etc, or more remote parts of the lake system. Except for when canoeing in protected nature reserve areas, where special restrictions apply, camping during the tour is fully wild in acccordance with the Swedish Right of Public Access.

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 any of our experiences in the Stockholm area, including:

• Discover the Islands of the Stockholm Archipelago (7 days, start/end Stockholm)
• Hike, Bike and Paddle Stockholm's Lakes and Islands (6-7 days, start/end Stockholm)
• Self-guided Sea Kayaking in the Stockholm Archipelago (3-8 or more days, start/end Stockholm)

Groups

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

Eco Info

This provider has a written environmental policy.