Canoe tour Rottnan

Explore the tranquil Rottnan River as it meanders through the Finnish Forest in northern Värmland. Experience paddling the narrow waterways and small lakes along the tour.

  • nest_eco_leaf Feel the forest’s embrace as you paddle the narrow river.
  • nest_eco_leaf Discover the vast forests shaped by immigrant Finnish farmers.
  • nest_eco_leaf Spend three nights in a tent in the great outdoors.

4 days/3 nights (35km)

The river Rottnan winds its way across the Norwegian-Swedish border and through the old Finnish settlements that are nestled among spruce and pine trees in the forests of Värmland. The journey offers gently flowing water that is suitable for both experienced canoeists and beginners.

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What is included in the package?

I paketet ingår:

camping Three nights in a tent in the great outdoors
face Information about the tour, the Swedish public access rights (Allemansrätten), and paddling techniques
directions_bus Local transfers
local_parking Parking for vehicles
support Canoe, paddle, buoyancy aid, 60-liter packing barrel, rubbish bags, toilet spade, water container, short rope, cleaning sponge, a small first aid kit, topographical map

Things you can rent 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.
  • Nice combination of narrow river and smaller lakes.
  • Local transfers to/from the tour are included.
  • For children, the canoe can be equipped with an extra seat.

You paddle independently and at your own pace throughout the journey. You have ample time to cover the distance of the tour, so enjoy the beaches and find your favourite spots to camp along the way. Your tour ends in the southern part of Lake Skallbergssjön where we pick you up and bring you back to Torsby, the starting point of your adventure.

How does it work?

Day 1:  

  • We meet at  Torsby Herrgård (manor house) at 13:00.
  • You receive the rented equipment and information about the journey.
  • We provide transportation to the starting point of your canoe tour.

Day 2 – 4:

  • Paddle along the river Rottnan independently and at your own pace.
  • Find your own camping spots in accordance with Swedish public access rights.

Day 4:

  • We pick you up at the end point at 12:00 for transfer back to Torsby.
  • Return the rented equipment.
  • Begin your journey home or on to new adventures.

Prices and departures

Period: 8th May – 28th August 2025

Departure:
Mondays (23rd June – 18th August)
Thursdays (8th May – 28th August)

Time and place for arrival: 13:00 at Herrgårdsparken in Torsby.
Note! It is important that you keep this time!

Canoe tour Rottnan (SEK/person)AdultChildren 3-15 years
Basic equipment1790895

Groups: 14 participants minimum. 1 person free. We reserve the right to assign groups to certain campsites. Before and after the period specified above, you may book any starting day (provided capacity is available) if you are at least four adults.
Additions (SEK/person)AdultChildren 3-15 years
Cancellation insurance240120
Kitchen equipment380190
Sleeping bag260260
Tent740/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
Can we bring the dog?

You are welcome to bring your dog, but you must consider the following:

– You must keep the dog leashed at the meeting point and at the building site (if you have booked a timber raft tour). It is also important that you always have the dog under supervision on the journey, because you are traveling in an area where there are wild animals.

– If you make a longer trip (3-8 days), local transport is included. If there is another person traveling in the same vehicle who is allergic to dogs, you must be prepared to transport your dog to the start of the tour yourself.

– Some dogs are very sensitive to mosquitoes. There is not much you can do, but it is usually not a problem when you are out in the canoe or on the timber raft, but can be a concern when you go ashore for the night.

– We do not have life jackets for dogs. Bring your own if your dog needs it.

– It can be long days on the river if you travel on a timber raft or paddle a canoe when the dog must be still. But if the dog likes to swim, it is usually not a major problem.

Can we drink the water in the rivers/lakes?

The water can only be drunk if it is boiled. The water can therefore be used for all cooking, coffee, tea, etc. On longer trips (3-8 days) you will get freshwater containers in the basic equipment that you can fill up before you set off. You don´t have to boil the water to brush your teeth or wash the dishes. Remember to bring biodegradable washing-up liquid!

Where is our starting (meeting) point?

Depending on which package you have booked, there are different meeting points. NOTE! If you search Vildmark i Värmland on Google, or any other search engine, you will come to our office in Torsby. NO tours start from here! You will find information where your specific meeting point is in your travel documents that you have received when you made the booking/payment. It is usually found at the end of the travel document.

What do we do if we want to fish?

It is fine to try fishing on all our different tours, but you must have a fishing license. You can purchase fishing licenses at the starting point for all tours except canoe tours that start in Torsby (Röjdån and Rottnan). If you start your canoeing in Torsby, you buy a fishing license at “ifiske.se”. (Seach: Lekvattnets FVOF for Rottnan and Velens FVOF for Röjdån)

Are there a lot of mosquitoes?

There are always mosquitoes. How much depends on how dry, hot, and wet it is/has been. A heavy spring flood with subsequent heat brings a lot of mosquitoes. However, it is very rare that there are mosquito’s over open water. The mosquitoes are mainly active on land and in the evening. Mosquito repellent and covering clothing are the best protection. As far as it is known, the mosquitoes in this area does not carry any infections.

Is it possible to travel by train and bus to you?

You can travel by bus alternatively by train from Karlstad to the meeting point of most of our packages. It all depends on which package you have booked, and which day you will arrive to us. Should you, for example, start your canoe- or timber raft trip on a Saturday or Sunday in Gunnerud, there is no bus to Gunnerud on these days. If you will arrive to Gunnerud on a Saturday or Sunday, you can travel by bus to the bus stop “Sjögränd” (just south of Gunnerud) and we can arrange a transfer free of charge to Gunnerud (if you arrive with the bus connection that is closest to the start time of your booked trip). Notify us at the time you make your booking if you need transfer.

What our guests say about us

Going down the river, and having the freedom to camp anywhere. The fact the river was so quiet (often it seemed like we were the only ones). Staying somewhere different each night.
Canoe tour
Great experience for a family with small children.
Canoe tour
Being out in nature and away from hectic daily life
Canoe tour
It was everything we hoped it would be and more, and we will absolutely be coming back to complete another tour in the future.
Canoe tour
I wanted a memorable holiday, that would be fun and relaxing…it met those expectations
Canoe tour
We found wonderful places to camp. We were glad we took it slow so that we were able to have time te explore.
Canoe tour
TAKE THIS TRIP! A very good opportunaty to get away from your normal life. Back to nature, campfire every evening and camping the way it is ment to be!!
Canoe tour
Enjoyed nature, settings, water, and beautiful sunshine for our whole trip
Canoe tour
No internet and computers, outside in nature and a wonderful experience
Canoe tour

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The wilderness in the border area

The river Rottnan meanders through the border region between Swedish Värmland and Norwegian Hedmark, which is characterized by its vast forested landscapes. The area is dotted with stones left behind by the melting of the inland ice, and was sparsely inhabited for a long time. In the 17th century, the region saw an influx of immigrant farmers from Finnish Savolax. These “Forest Finns” were skilled in the practice of slash-and-burn agriculture, clearing the land by cutting down and burning the forest, then cultivating the nutrient-rich ashes.
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