Canoe tour Svartälven
The Svartälven tour stands out as having some of the best waters to canoe. It offers a blend of narrow passages, diverse landscapes, picturesque campsites, and the opportunity to paddle on both rivers and lakes.
7 days/6 nights (75km) or 4 days/3 nights (40km)
Starting on the border of Dalarna county in eastern Värmland, the river Svartälven is one of our best canoeing waters. The river runs south through vast areas of outstanding natural beauty. The canoe tour on Svartälven offers a diverse experience from the beginning. While the river narrows at times, it transitions into the winding river Tvärälven and further leads into several smaller lakes.
Canoe Svartälven
The package includes:
Things you can rent/buy from us
- Tent (accommodates 3-4 people).
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
- Cooking equipment, including a portable stove for preparing meals.
- Food for the entire stay, which you will prepare yourself during the trip.
Things you need to bring
- Clothing suitable for changing weather, including rain gear and a complete change of clothes. Extra shoes or boots.
- If you haven’t rented a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, or cooking equipment from us, you will need to bring your own.
- Food is an important part of the outdoor experience, and fresh air can make you extra hungry. Make sure to bring enough food if you haven’t ordered our provisioning package. (You will pass through the village of Lesjöfors, where you have the option to buy food during the 7 days trip.)
- Local transfer to the starting point and pick-up at the finish point.
- Canoe trolleys for land crossings are included.
- For children, the canoe can be equipped with an extra seat.
This tour includes approximately 10 land crossings, the canoe trolley can be used on all but one land crossing. The longest land crossing is about 2km. The 4-day tour includes only two land crossings, both are short, and the canoe trolley can be used.
The tour begins and ends at different locations. You paddle independently and at your own pace throughout the journey. The local transportation between the start, finish, and our canoe center in Gunnerud is included in the package. You can use public transportation to arrive at the canoe center in Gunnerud. If you arrive by car, you can leave your car at our canoe center during the tour. Experience canoeing at its on this adventure!
How does it work?
Day 1:
- We all meet at our canoe centre in Gunnerud between 13:00 and 14:00.
- Pick-up the rental equipment.
- We provide transportation to the starting point of your canoe tour.
Day 2-4(7):
- Paddle along the river Svartälven and adjoining lakes independently and at your own pace.
- Find your own camping spots in accordance with Swedish public access rights.
Day 4(7):
- We pick you up at the finish point and transport you back to Gunnerud.
- Return the rented equipment.
- Begin your journey home or on to new adventures.
Prices and departures
Period: 20st June – 18th August 2026
Departure:
7 days: Saturdays
4 days: Tuesdays and Saturdays
Time and place for arrival: 13:00 – 14:00 in Gunnerud, 95 km north of Karlstad.
Note! It is important that you keep this time!
| Canoe tour Svartälven (SEK/person) | Adult | Children 3-15 years |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days, Basic equipment | 2540 | 1270 |
| 4 days, Basic equipment | 2160 | 1080 |
“Naturkort”: The local authorities along the Svartälven charge a fee for canoe guests. This “nature card” gives you access to prepared shelters and fire places along the route. It is included in the basic price.
Groups: 14 participants minimum. 1 person free. We reserve the right to assign groups to certain camp sites. Before and after the period specified above, you may book any starting day (provided capacity is available) if you are at least four adults.
| Additional eq. (SEK/person) | 7 days/adult | 7 days/children | 4 days/adult | 4 days/children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancellation insurance | 290 | 145 | 290 | 145 |
| Kitchen equipment | 440 | 220 | 380 | 190 |
| Provisions | 1690 | 1240 | 1370 | 970 |
| Sleeping bag | 330 | 330 | 280 | 280 |
| Tent | 960/tent | 740/tent |
Note! When booking kitchen equipment and/or food provisions, all participants in the same booking must select these items. At least 2 people are required to order kitchen equipment and provisions.
Requirements
Adults must be able to swim. Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult in the canoe. Advance booking of the package is mandatory. Cancellation insurance can be arranged at the time of booking. Participation is at your own risk. Please read our travel conditions before booking.
Faq
Are there prepared campsites along Svartälven?
The first part of the 6-day tour has some sites with wind shelters, outdoor toilets, and fireplaces. The 3-day tour also uses some of the same campsites as the 6-day tour. The nature conservation fee included in your package helps maintain these sites.
Are we allowed to fish in the area? What kind of fish can we catch?
We provide fishing permits valid for certain waters along your route. These can be purchased in Gunnerud at check-in. The most common fish species are perch and pike, but whitefish and burbot also occur.
Can we shop anywhere along Svartälven?
If you paddle 3 nights/4 days, you will not pass any stores. If you paddle 6 nights/7 days, you will pass the village of Lesjöfors slightly more than halfway through the tour. There is a small grocery store there with a surprisingly good selection.
How many portages does Svartälven include?
If you paddle 3 days, the tour includes two shorter portages. If you paddle 6 days, there are 10 portages, including one short section (about 60 m) where the canoe cart cannot be used. Make sure you pack in backpacks so you can carry your personal equipment during portages. The canoe cart cannot handle a fully loaded canoe.
What type of nature is found along Svartälven?
There are many coniferous and mixed forests along Svartälven. The river winds beautifully and calmly through the landscape. Since Svartälven is dammed in several places, it is suitable for paddling in both directions (especially for the 3-day tour). Around some of the lakes, there are signs of human activity in the form of simple summer cottages.
Why is the tour called Svartälven?
Svartälven is a forest river that, together with its tributaries and surrounding lakes, is one of the country’s true gems when it comes to canoeing waters. The dark water winds its way through the forest — in some places narrow and meandering, in others opening up into expansive lake systems. If you paddle for three nights/4 days, most of the trip follows the Svartälven either northward or southward, but it also includes sections of lake paddling. If you choose a six-nights/7 days tour, about half of the journey takes place on the Svartälven itself, while the remaining portion leads you through the lake systems connected to the river.
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