Sweden, nestled in the heart of northern Europe, is a land of enchanting landscapes, rich history and culture. With its countryside, cities and wildlife filled nature, Sweden has long been a land of calmness. We decided to go on a journey through Sweden for three weeks. One of those weeks we traveled by a canoe over lakes with the Canoe trip from Travelbase. In this blog we’ll share our experience on the beautiful Dalsland lakes, which is considered one of the most beautiful canals in Europe.

The Canoe trip

For an entire week, we had the incredible opportunity to trade in our daily routines for paddling and sleeping in a tent, as we went on a guided canoe trip, with ‘The Canoe Trip’ from Travelbase, through breathtaking landscapes. The journey was not without its challenges, but the rewards of connecting with nature and witnessing views made every moment worthwhile. A canoe trip is a thrilling way to disconnect from the hustle of everyday life and see the beauty of what the world has to offer.

How to get to the Canoe Trip in Sweden

If you've decided to go on a thrilling canoe trip in Sweden and are wondering about the best way to reach your destination, there are a couple of transport options available to you: by bus, by plane or by car. Considering we did a three-week road trip in Sweden already, traveling by car was the perfect choice to continue our journey. Where you can read more about it in my other blogpost.

As we arrived in camp ‘Bear’ we got our very own goodie bags and drink bottles to keep you hydrated plus dry bags, to keep your belongings safe from any watery accident. Here you also get your foodpack what you ordered in advanced in a large barrel. The ranger in our camp made sure everything was well-explained before we set foot into the canoe. It’s important that you listen to this, because you don’t want to end up capsizing in the middle of a lake and lose all your gear.

Canoeing for beginners

You will get a digital map on the app where you could see the route you need or don’t need to follow, so that came in handy! Also you will get the phone number of the ranger if you are in any kind of trouble. Once on the water it is magical. The canals revealed their secrets, painting a living portrait of Sweden's forests. And the thrill of paddling through those enchanting lakes, I’ve never seen anything quite like it. 

Understanding the basics:

• Basic paddle techniques: your ranger will give you a basic understanding on how to paddle. These will navigate and control your canoe effectively.

• Safety first: always wear your life jacket when you are on the water. At one point you will cross a lock and the lock driver will not let you pass if you don’t wear you life jacket.

• Check the weather: If the water to rough, because of the wind, don’t go on the water. First of all: it’s heavy to paddle and second it’s more dangerous to capsize in stronger currents. So wait till the heavy rainfall and wind lies down and then you can paddle further.

• Take your time: canoeing is as much about the journey as the destination. Paddle at a comfortable pace, take breaks and enjoy the views. It’s not a race.

• Clean your gear: after a week on the water, you’ll need to return your canoe in a proper state.

Camping in Sweden

At the heart of Swedish outdoor life is "Allemansrätten," or the Right of public access. This unique principle allows everyone to freely explore nature, camp overnigh as long as they show respect for nature, wildlife and landowners. The leave no trace principles are crucial: dispose of waste properly, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife … There will be signs where you can’t camp overnight and also there are area’s where you can’t camp because of breeding season for some birds. 

You have two options to choose where you can camp: in a shelter or wildcamping. What’s the difference? In a shelter there is mostly a hut that protects you from wind, rain… , a firepit and a ‘toilet’. In the summer it’s only possible to start a fire in a indicated firepit, because you can’t make a firepit everywhere you want. If you choose for wildcamping you can’t make a fire in the summer due to danger of forest fires. There are enough shelters for everybody so mostly you will choose this option. Thanks to travelbase you have acces to most Dano sites (shelters).

A friendly reminder: in Sweden the sun set around 22u30 and rises back at 4u30. The days are long in the Summer (which I love). So we bought a blackout tent and a sleeping mask. You will need your sleep to have the energy to paddle on the water every day, so a goodnight rest is much needed.

Also, if your looking for a nice activity after you paddled to your next camp, get back on the water and go fishing! Get those fishing gear with you and explore the waters for some fish. Maybe you can cook it yourself …. We didn’t catch a thing, haha! In your basecamp your can order a fishing license for €20. 

The weather in Sweden

North-Europe is mostly known for its cold unpredictable weather. And this time it was no different … We faced the uncertainty of rain clouds, which occasionally made paddling more harder. The rain added an element of challenge in our trip. But after rain there comes more rain … no kidding, sunshine! As the rain would come to an end, the rays of sun would touch the clouds it was really beautiful! Tip: make sure you bring enough warm fast-drying clothes with you, because it can be cold at night! I speak of experience….

What to pack?

As little as much needed! Remember you’ll need to take your backpack everywhere in and out of the water. There are not always jetties available to tie your canoe to. You are in the middle of nature and will moor mostly on small beaches or rocks. Also you always have to load and unload your backpacks and tent. This can be frustrating at times, especially when it rains. So don't pack too heavy! We had two trekking backpacks with us, one for all the food, gear, tent .... and one for our clothes.

Canoe trip packing list

We made a packing list outlining all essentials for your upcoming trip. At Decathlon, you can discover a wide range of products to meet your needs. Explore the 'Forclaz' collection for top-quality selections to enhance your journey.

Camping gear:

• (Blackout) Tent

• Hammock

• Sleeping bag

• Pillow and sleeping mask

• Sleeping pad (self-floatable)

• Cutlery set and plates

• Water filtration system

• Lighter/ferro rod

• Headlamp or flashlight

• Rope or paracord

• Tarps/ground sheets

• Multitool or Swiss army knife

• Camping chairs

Additional:

• Board games/cards

• Camera

• Powerbank

• Fishing gear

• Coffee press

• Clothes lines

• Trash bags

• Energy bars

• Books

• Notebook and pen

Clothes:

• Water shoes or sandals

• Quick-dry clothes (T-shirts, shorts …)

• Waterproof jacket and pants

• Bathing suit

• Bikini

• Sport bras

• Pyamas

• Hoodies

• Shorts and long pants

• Extra socks/underwear

• Hiking shoes

• Hat and sunglasses

Personal Hygiene:

• Biodegradable Soap (Wondr bars)

• Quick-Dry Towels

• Toothbrush and eco-friendly toothpaste or tablets

• Eco-Friendly Sunscreen

• Insect repellent (Moskitofree)

• Hand Sanitizer

• Toilet Paper

• Lip balm with SPF

• Small mirror

• Personal medications

• Biodegradable wet wipes

What do you get from The Canoe Trip?

At your basecamp you get a lot of food, ordered in advance, a fire and a shovel .... because sometimes you need to go to the toilet in the wild. Most of the time, you’ll find shelters, were there is a ‘toilet’, on your route but not always. We also brought two large sails and ropes with us to create a shelter for the rain.

• Canoe and paddles + wheel cart

• Life-vest

• One barrel

• Foodpackages (ordered in advanced)

• Shovel

• Cooking set and fuel

• Cleaning supplies

• Dry-bags

• Reusable waterbottles

• Trash bags

• App with route + Whatsapp group

• A waterproof map of Varmland

Nature's Beauty

One of the greatest rewards of our canoe trip was the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the beauty of untouched nature. Our journey took us through serene lakes bordered by forests. It also made me think more about life and the beauty of it. It made me to reflect on things I had taken for granted. It made me pause and reconsider what I had come to see as ordinary aspects of life, like having a cozy home to call my own or a comfortable bed to rest in. These are like standard features, but this trip served as a reminder that they aren't universal privileges. Not everyone has the convenience of a warm bed to sleep in or the assurance to go on a trip like this. This perspective has truly awakened my gratitude for those whose lives are less certain.

Eco-friendly canoeing

For personal hygiene on a canoe trip, it's important to pack items that are compact, biodegradable and environmentally friendly. A cold but the most wonderful experience is a refreshing dive into the waters. In nature there are no showers, so you’ll have to wash yourself in the lake. To preserve the beautiful nature around you, choose eco-friendly alternatives, such as Wondr's biodegradable soap. They are also vegan and cruelty-free, win-win. So think twice and buy all things like biodegradable toothpaste, dishwashing soap … 

Our week-long canoe trip was a journey that brought us closer to nature and adventure. As I reflect on the memories of this incredible canoe trip, I am reminded of the power of nature to inspire and connect us to the world around us.