Canoeing in Nordmarken in July
For seven days and seven nights on the lakes of Sweden and Norway - in 2007, this was not just a dream. I made it real.
I booked this trip through the German travel agency Scandtrack. I traveled by bus from western Germany to Lennartsfors in Sweden, close to the Norwegian border - a 20-hour journey.
In Lennartsfors, four of us started paddling north with our canoes, tents, food, and gear (all included). The first day brought only rain - a test for us and our equipment. Everyone passed.
The next day, we paddled toward the Norwegian border - and faced our second test: strong headwinds and waves. The wind was too powerful for our canoes. After hours of hard work, we stopped - better than going backward in the waves.
Wilderness of Nordmarken
Nordmarken is part of the Swedish province Värmland. South lies Dalsland. Few people live here - but there’s abundant nature: water, forests, and rocks.
You can choose between a guided tour or an individual trip with a map of all lakes. More than a hundred campgrounds offer small huts, fireplaces, and toilets.
Golden Seaside Evenings
The lake water served as drinking water for us and the few residents along the shores. It was very clear, with a temperature of 15 to 18°C, making it suitable for swimming as well.
After days alternating between sunny, windy, and rainy weather, the final evening rewarded everyone’s efforts: a perfectly calm lake, initially bathed in golden sunlight, still reflecting the colorful sky at midnight.
This border region between Dalsland and Värmland (both in Sweden) and Norway to the west is ideal for canoeing across its extensive and diverse lake system.
Link Tips
- Canoe trips in Sweden
- Paddle in Sweden more than 450 canoe and kayak trips, Swedish website
- Dalsland at Wikipedia
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... more Sweden, but by foot:
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... more Swedish water, but Baltic Sea:
