Canoeing in Dalsland's Lake District (Sweden)

Bear in mind of course that windy conditions can increase the level of challenge on larger lakes, so you should always be prepared to adapt your plans accordingly.

Locks linking a number of the lakes (open during the main summer season) offer a convenient alternative to land transports. Photo: David Hills.

The distance covered and route taken for your canoe tour is very flexible and can be varied depending on time available and your own energy levels/experience. The Dalsland lake system covers a wide area and includes both rural landscapes and more remote areas that can be accessed on longer tours.

There is a flexible network of camping spots with wind shelters, fireplaces with wood and outdoor toilets throughout the lake system. Photo: Serena Woods.

Choice of start and end combinations for maximum flexibility

There are four options for start/end point combinations. The minimum distance that must be covered for the standard circular route in Option 1 and 2 below is around 70km, while the recommended route for Option 3 and Option 4 is a 30km section of the circular route.

Canoe, camping equipment and canoe trolley for transports are all included. Photo: David Hills.

These distances can be extended as much as you wish by planning your own detours or you can plan to take a completely different route to explore other parts of the lake system.

The area offers almost endless possibilities to vary and extend your route depending on weather and wind conditions and to adapt the level of challenge, the distance you wish to paddle and the particular areas you would like to explore.

• Option 1 - Start/end Bengtsfors: Bengtsfors is conveniently reached by public transport from Gothenburg and you can choose to add additional night(s) before and/or after your tour at hostel or hotel accommodation there as optional extras. From here, if you have 6-8 days you can follow the recommended circular route. For shorter tours, or if you prefer to explore a different part of the lake system, you can create your own route.
• Option 2 - Start/end Canoe Camp (15km north of Bengtsfors)*: Begin/end at the canoe camp 15km north of Bengtsfors. For tours of 6-8 days, you can choose the recommended circular route as for Option 1 (simply beginning at a different point on the circle). Alternatively, for any tour duration, you can choose to explore other parts of the lake system. Public transport connections to the camp are more limited than to Bengtsfors, but if no suitable bus connections are available, transfer from Bengtsfors is also possible as an optional extra. This is a suitable choice if you wish to stay at a campsite (rather than hostel/hotel) for an extra night before and/or after your tour, as the campsite is located here.
• Option 3 - Start Bengtsfors end Canoe Camp (15km north of Bengtsfors)*: Normally chosen for tours of 4-5 days, but possible for longer tours also. You will normally do a subsection of the recommended longer circular route, but can also plan your own route. Starting in Bengtsfors is convenient as public transport connections are easier. Here you can overnight in hostel or hotel before your tour if you wish. Your tour ends at the canoe camp 15km north of Bengtsfors. At the end of your tour you can camp there for an extra night or return once more to Bengtsfors (by local bus or optional transfer depending on connnections) for onward travel or additional overnight(s) in hostel or hotel.
• Option 4 - Start Canoe Camp (15km north of Bengtsfors) end Bengtsfors: As Option 3 above, but beginning at the canoe camp and ending in Bengtsfors. This is normally less convenient as you need to travel to the canoe camp on your arrival day (when time may be more limited than on departure), but will suit guests who particularly wish spend a night at the campsite before the tour.

*For a unique way to end your canoeing holiday, if your tour ends at the Canoe Camp, you can choose to travel the 15km back to Bengtsfors by "railway cycle trolley". Your luggage will be transported to Bengtsfors. See under "Dates and Prices > Optional extras" for details.

The flexibility of the tour means it is equally suitable for a challenging tour for adults or an easy-going family adventure. Photo: Rianne Lems.

Network of overnight camping locations with fireplaces

As for all our canoe tours, Canoeing in Dalsland's Lake District features wild camping. In Dalsland, to preserve the local environment there is a comprehensive network of wind shelters and fire places, where wood is provided for your use, located throughout the region. These are the only locations at which camping is permitted. Participants purchase a "nature card" for camping, proceeds from which are used for management and conservation of the area.

West Sweden is real "canoe country", and Canoeing in Dalsland's Lake District is ideal for those seeking a moderate level of challenge and the flexibility to create their own canoe adventure.

Canoeing for odd-numbered groups

Canoes used are 2-person Canadian canoes but can also accommodate three persons. Odd numbers will normally travel three persons in one canoe (at reduced price). As an alternative, the additional person can travel in single kayak (available as optional extra).

Arrival

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

Possible start times are 09.00-18.00. Please let us know your preferred start time in advance.

No transfers are required at the beginning or end of this tour. The Dalsland lakes offer almost endless possibilities to vary and extend your route, depending on your energy levels/experience, how quickly you cover the distance and on wind and weather conditions.

Depending on the tour option chosen, you will either begin your tour in Bengtsfors (Option 1 or Option 3) or at the canoe camp approx. 15km north of Bengtsfors (Option 2 or Option 4).

If you wish to stay locally before your tour:

• If starting in Bengtsfors, hostel or hotel accommodation is available as an optional extra.
• If starting at the canoe camp 15km north of Bengtsfors, camping is available as an optional extra.

Following Days

NB: These are suggested route options only. The Dalsland 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 energy levels/ability and wind and weather conditions.

6-day, 7-day or 8-day tour:

The recommended tour route takes you through a series of locks to Laxsjön ("Salmon Lake"), with a land transport of approx. 400m followed by marvellous paddling up the long narrow lake of Svärdlång. After approx. 15km, a 150m land transport takes you into Västra Silen.

From here a 3km canal takes you to the village of Gustavsfors, which has restaurants and stores to re-supply provisions if required.

Once through the locks and the scenic paddle out from Gustavfors, you enter the lake of Lelång, turning south to paddle around 20km down the lake to end your tour back in the small country town of Bengtsfors.

4-day or 5-day tour:

From Bengtsfors, you head south to Billingfors then up the long narrow lake of Svärdlång ending at the canoe camp. If you prefer (or during the season when the locks are closed) you can also paddle up the other side, up through Lelång lake to Gustavsfors before ending at the canoe camp (or vice-versa).

Departure

Your tour ends either in Bengtsfors (Option 1 or Option 3) or at the canoe camp 15km north of Bengtsfors (Option 2 or Option 4). At the end point you will return your equipment and collect any left baggage (if you have left any baggage in Bengtsfors, you can collect this as you pass through for onward travel).

If you have a tour ending at the canoe camp, you can also return to Bengtsfors by "cycle trolley" along the railway line and your luggage will then be transported. See under "Optional extras" for details.

If you wish to stay locally after your tour:

• If ending in Bengtsfors, hostel or hotel accommodation is available as an optional extra.
• If ending at the canoe camp 15km north of Bengtsfors, camping is available as an optional extra.

Included

NB: Persons choosing kayak (normally additional person in odd-numbered group) will share tent and kitchen equipment with other members of the group - extra tent/kitchen equipment is not included in the price of kayak option.

• Canoe equipment: 2 or 3-person Canadian canoe, paddles (wooden), buoyancy aids, 2 x pack barrels, canoe trolley. Canoes are normally aluminium Linder 525s (canoes used are the same whether paddling as two or three persons - as three persons, extra buoyancy aid and paddle is provided). For guests using single kayaks, kayaks are normally Hasle Explorer or Boreal Design.
• Kitchen equipment: Trangia-style hurricane stove* with one litre methylated spirit (additional fuel can be purchased along the route if required). NB: Please bring own camping plate/mug/cutlery.
• Camping equipment: Tent (suitable for up to 3 persons, normally dome tents), sleeping bag package (2-season sleeping bag, liner and foam mat), tarpaulin.
• Other: Set of two maps; "Nature Card", required for overnight camping at the designated camping spots (firewood is provided at these locations, but you should bring a camping saw/small axe for preparing the wood).

*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

• 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.
• Camping stove and fuel are included, but please bring own camping plate/mug/cutlery.
• Food: You should purchase supplies for your tour in Bengtsfors before departure. There are also opportunities to re-supply along the route.
• For persons choosing kayak (normally additional person in odd-numbered group), extra tent/kitchen equipment is not included in the standard price. If you require additional tent/cooking stove, please contact us for details.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

Swimming ability required by all participants. Minimum 2 adults. You should be in good health with a good general level of fitness and strength and enjoy the outdoors.

The canoe tour runs through a series of lakes. Transports between lakes is by locks and/or lifts (during low season when the locks are closed, land transports will add to the level of challenge - a canoe trolley is provided to assist with these). Note that paddling on lakes can be challenging in windy conditions and you should consider carefully the best side of a lake to paddle on and be prepared to adjust your itinerary depending on weather conditions.

What makes this "Medium"?

Distance covered and level of challenge is flexible. The route can be varied to take in more rural areas with access to shops, etc, or more remote parts of the lake system. There is a network of designated camping spots with firewood provided. However, as a lake tour, in windy conditions paddling can be demanding and the water choppy.

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:

• Sea Kayaking Camp in Bohuslän (4 or more days, 1.5 hours by bus)
• Self-guided Sea Kayaking in Bohuslän (3-6 days, 1.5 hours by bus)

Groups

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

Eco Info

This provider has a written environmental policy.

"Our trip in the Dalsland lakes was a great adventure, thanks for the assistance in organising. That’s my second trip with my second son. I have one more to go so will be in touch again to organise." Nathan, July 2023

"Lots of good information. Wild camping, gorgeous scenery, flexibility to go as far as we wanted." Jane