Point-to-point Canoe Adventure in Sörmland (Sweden)

Option 1 - Start Katrineholm (6-7 days, 70-85km):

Starting from the small town of Katrineholm to the west of the canoe centre, you paddle south-east on the narrow lake of Djulösjön, though a slow-flowing river channel and out into the larger lake of Yngaren, with some lovely islands including Åkerö with its small castle.

After possibilities to re-stock with provisions in Vrena, you turn north, wth the choice of a more direct route home through a series of lakes, or looping round to the east to come out into the vast inland archipelago of Lake Båven before ending your tour back at the canoe centre. The loop adds around 15km to the minimum distance required for the tour.

This tour requires 5 or 6 portages depending on your choice of route (2 x 50m, 900m and 3.5km, plus 3km or 400m + 800m according to route) using the canoe or kayak trolleys provided, and offers wonderful paddling through a mostly remote landscape with a few settlements and amenities en route.

At the end of a day's paddling, choose your own camping spot to enjoy the tranquility of the evening. Photo: Ocean Ruch

Option 2 - Start Ändebol (10 days, 105-120km):

Adding around 30-50km to the standard Option 1 route, this tour begins with transfer south-west from the canoe centre to the start point on Lake Fjälaren.

From here, you paddle through narrow lakes and a scenic canal into Lake Tisnaren and through some narrow river channels to the small town of Katrineholm, where you join the Option 1 route as above.

This extension requires 4 portages (50m, 100m, 100-450m and 1.2km) using the canoe/kayak trolleys provided and offers scenic paddling in a remote and sparsely-inhabited area with wild camping all along the route.

Many of the lakes along the route are connected by scenic river channels, providing wonderful variety to the tour as well as reducing the number of land transports. Photo: Marc Delea

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 Sörmland.

Arrival

Possible start times are 09.00-16.00 Monday-Friday and 09.00-14.00 Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays (the canoe centre closes 17.00/15.00, but as these tours require transfer to the start point, arrival must be 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 with transfer to Katrineholm (Optoin 1) or Ändebol (Option 2).

Following Days

NB: If you have extra time available or find that you cover the minimum distances more quickly than expected, there are many possibilities to extend the route, particularly in the later parts of the tour. Your tour will end in Lake Båven, which is a vast inland archipelago area which offers endless possibilities for further exploration before reaching the canoe centre.

Option 1: Start Katrineholm (6-10 days, 70-85km)

Requiring 5-6 land transports in total depending on route options, the minimum distance is easily completed in 6 days/5 nights.

From the small town of Katrineholm, the route leads east through the lake of Djulösjön and a small connecting river channel and lake to Forsj&oum; bruk, continuing through a series of lakes to reach the castle at Eriksberg.

After a long land transport along the road, you launch into the large lake of Yngaren and paddle towards the settlement of Vrena, where there is a small store to re-supply with provisions if necessary.

From here, as you head north, you can choose the most direct route through lake Uren and out into the Båven lake system, or loop around to the east to extend the standard distance, through Lidsjön and with many opportunities for further extensions.

Minimum paddle distance by the shortest route is around 70km or around 85km if adding the loop, but there is also the possibility to cover much greater distance if you wish.

Option 2 - Start Ändebol (6-10 days, 105-120km):

Starting to the south-west of Katrineholm, this extension adds around 35km to the minimum distance compared to Option 1 above, with 4 additional land transports and requiring an extra 3-4 days of relaxed paddling.

Passing through the Tisnare canal and into lake Tisnaren, you turn north through a river channel to reach Viren, before turning east to Katrineholm. This is a remote and scenic area with varied paddling and a wonderful extension to the basic tour if you have additional time.

From Katrineholm, the basic route and possible variable are as per Option 1 above.

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. Recommended min. age 10 years (younger children from families with suitable outdoor experience may also be possible by arrangement). You should be in good health with a good general level of fitness and strength and enjoy camping and life in the outdoors.

Both canoe tours are A-B routes requiring that you reach the end point in the alloted time, though in general the minimum distances are easily completed in the time available and there should be additional time for rest periods, hikes or extending the standard routes if desired.

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. Some portages for this tour are up to 3-3.5km.

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 "Medium(+)"?

The emphasis is on enjoyment and taking time to explore the area, and there should be ample time to complete the minimum distances. With minimum duration 6 days/5 nights, you will be spending an extended period outdoors. Land portages can be challenging, and the area is quite remote with limited facilities/infrastructure in many parts of the tour.

Accommodation is wild camping on all nights and you will choose your own camping spots in accordance 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.