Timber Raft on the river Klarälven –
Your Unforgettable Adventure
A journey by raft on the river Klarälven is a unique wilderness adventure where you build your own vessel from logs and rope. Guided by our instructors, you construct a stable raft before gently drifting downstream through the beautiful nature of Värmland — a perfect activity for team building, groups of friends, or a family holiday.
Timber raft on the river Klarälven
Northern Värmland offers a wide range of fun experiences. Are you someone who revels in outdoor adventures, embraces challenges, and enjoys physical activity? Do you cherish the idea of creating lasting memories with your partner, friends, family, or colleagues? If so, timber rafting down the river Klarälven is for you!
Embark on a unique adventure where you build your own timber raft using logs and ropes, drift along the river, and immerse yourself in nature. Choose from our diverse range of packages, you can opt for a single-day excursion or extend your voyage from 2 to 7 nights with overnight stay in a tent.
Each package promises an unforgettable and enriching experience.
Challenges and experiences along the river
Based on our experience, you should be prepared for nature to set the agenda. The river Klarälven offers stunning scenery — but also exciting surprises in the form of backwaters and sandbanks.
- The Building Phase:
You build the raft yourselves using only logs and rope. Be prepared for a physically and mentally demanding task. - Life on the River:
The raft becomes your home. You plan your daily stages based on the current conditions. Expect quick shifts between activity and relaxation. - Wilderness Living:
You set up camp along the way in accordance with the Swedish right of public access (Allemansrätten) and live in harmony with nature. Enjoy the scents, sounds, and views that the wilderness has to offer.
All timber raft packages
TIMBER RAFT ALL INCLUSIVE
This adventure is an excellent outdoor experience combined with a touch of “luxury”. The campsites are all arranged for your convenience and dinners will be served around the campfire or in your cabin. With experienced guides you build the raft that you will travel on along the beautiful and historical Klarälven.
TIMBER RAFT/CANOE 8 DAYS
Here you get the best of two worlds – both the unique experience of building and traveling on a timber raft as well as a smooth paddle trip in a canoe. The combination provides a varied and exciting experience that strengthens the community within the group. This package is perfect for those of you who want a mix of adventure and relaxation. Making your way on the calm waters of Klarälven at your own pace creates unforgettable memories for all of you.
TIMBER RAFT 8 DAYS
This timber raft trip is suits you who like to be out in nature. You who want to spend more time together and also want to explore areas beside the river. You who find it exciting to have an experience that is not completely prepared. You who like physical activity. You complete the tour on your own, setting up your day’s stages yourself based on the conditions that prevail at the time of your visit. The timber raft becomes your “home”. You live with the rhythm of the river.
TIMBER RAFT 5 DAYS
Imagine taking a trip on a timber raft you built using logs and rope! It’s an unforgettable adventure that combines challenges with relaxation. The leisurely pace of travel, against the backdrop of nature’s forces, offers a blend of excitement and tranquility. Get ready to experience life as a log driver for a few days, meeting nature on its own terms.
TIMBER RAFT 2 NIGHTS
Build your own timber raft using logs and ropes, then drift along the river Klarälven in Värmland, letting the current guide you. Expect a journey filled with breathtaking scenery and surprises like sandbanks and backwaters along the way. This outdoor experience includes two nights of camping in a tent – the first night at our campsite and the second night along the river.
TIMBER RAFT 2 DAYS
A timber raft trip is an exciting adventure, whether it’s a long or short journey. Building the raft involves physical effort and teamwork. Logs are rolled from the shore into the water and tied together to make the raft. After a day’s work, you can admire your raft and spend the night in a cozy cabin before setting off on your timber raft the next day.
TIMBER RAFT 1 DAY
Be prepared for a day filled with both full activity and relaxing moments. You will learn the knots and lashings needed to build a safe and stable timber raft. After a few tough hours of work, the raft is ready and you can enjoy the fruit of your labor when you slowly float down the river Klarälven.
DREAM WEEKEND
This package gives you the best conditions to experience the different environments and changes of the upper part of the river Klarälven in both forest and on water. In addition to hiking along the spectacular ravine and waterfall of Femtån, you will also paddle canoe and build and sail your own timber raft on the river Klarälven. A perfect choice if you want to have a real Dream Weekend in the nature of Värmland.
Tips from Us
After several decades of timber rafting on the river Klarälven, we’ve learned one thing above all: no raft trip is ever the same. Weather conditions and the river’s water level play a decisive role, but so does how well prepared you are when you arrive and how effectively you work together as a team. Building and rafting a timber raft on the river Klarälven is a unique challenge, but the sense of achievement after completing the journey is a well-deserved reward.
Think carefully about your packing and focus on the essentials: staying dry, warm, and well-fed. Dare to be fully present and take each situation as it comes. Don’t be afraid to give it your all, but also savor every moment of calm and satisfaction.
Frequently asked questions about timber rafts
Is timber rafting physically demanding?
Yes, timber rafting is physically demanding. Both during the building phase, when you move large logs from the shore to the water and bind them together to form a raft, and during the actual journey. The rafting is more physically active than many people expect. You may get stuck on sandbanks, rocks, or in backwaters. Trees overhanging the riverbanks must be avoided. You need to land the raft and paddle it out of the current. It’s an activity that combines teamwork with physical endurance.
Can you rent a pre-built raft?
No. A big part of the experience is first building the raft using only logs and rope, and then rafting on it. The circle is completed when, after the journey, you dismantle the raft back into its original components.
How many hours per day do we need to spend on the raft?
The speed of the timber raft on the river largely depends on the water level. On average, the river Klarälven flows at about 2 km/h, but this can vary. The more water in the river, the faster the current. Your speed is also influenced by the weather, especially the wind. On some rafts, a tarp is used as a wind shelter. With a tailwind, this can act like a sail; with a headwind, it may act more like a brake. Another factor affecting your pace is whether and how often you encounter obstacles along the way. Getting stuck on a sandbank or in a backwater can take a few hours to get free.
A good tip is to check the distance you cover during the first hour or two to get a sense of the current conditions. Based on that, you can plan how to pace your journey. It’s wise to build in a little buffer so you don’t feel rushed during your adventure on the river.
Which timber rafting package do you recommend for a family?
It’s difficult to recommend a package without knowing more about your family. However, if you have very little experience with camping and spending time in nature, we believe the “Timber Raft 2 days” or “Timber Raft 2-nights” packages could be a good fit. The 1-night package includes one night in a cabin, with the option to add an extra night. The 2-nights package lets you try an overnight stay in a tent first at the campsite, where you have access to amenities like toilets, showers, a kitchen, and laundry facilities. The second night is spent out in the wilderness, where you can enjoy the simple pleasures of nature.
If you’re looking for an adventure where the whole family gets fully involved and aren’t afraid to sleep in tents for several nights, the 5- or 8-days packages are perfect. You’ll have time to bond and collectively experience all the challenging and fun moments of a timber raft journey.
How long does it take to build a raft?
This is a common question, but it’s difficult to give a precise answer. The timber raft is built entirely from logs and rope in the water (no screws or nails!). The logs are stacked in large piles on land, and from there they must be rolled or carried down to the water. For one segment (3×3 m), you’ll need about 30–40 logs of varying diameters. Whether you build one or two segments depends on the number of people in your group and the package you’ve booked.
It can take between two and four hours per segment, but the total building time mainly depends on how many people you are and how well you collaborate. Assign tasks smartly and make sure you’ve eaten and rested properly before starting the build.
Why should we choose an 8-days timber rafting trip?
An 8-days trip is the ideal choice for experiencing the full wilderness adventure and building deeper connections. The extended timeframe gives you the space to explore areas beyond the riverbank, set up campsites at a relaxed pace, and truly disconnect from everyday stress for an authentic nature experience.
The freedom of not having to rush…
Timber rafting on the river Klarälven –
How did it begin?
A timber raft journey on the river Klarälven in Sweden has its roots in the centuries-old tradition of log driving. Until 1991, timber was floated down the river Klarälven, transported from the forests of northern Värmland to sawmills and pulp factories further south. When log driving ended, an entire profession disappeared. Vildmark i Värmland continues this heritage today by using the knowledge, techniques, and equipment from that era.
The end of log driving also meant the loss of many jobs, which contributed to population decline in the Klarälven valley, especially in northern Värmland. Through our work, we at Vildmark i Värmland aim not only to increase knowledge and appreciation of Värmland’s rich and beautiful nature but also to help create jobs and living opportunities that can counteract this negative demographic trend.