For me, hiking with a boat is the ideal way to immerse in nature. This tranquil, nearly noiseless mode of travel heightens the sensory experience and provides exceptional opportunities for photography.
Romantic Campsites
The most breathtaking campsites I have always found were along my waterways. They were secluded and hidden, far from any infrastructure, and mostly only accessible from the water. Tiny, romantic islands are marvelous places to camp and stay overnight. Isn’t spending a night on a lonely island like in a dream?
Fantastic Kayaking and Canoeing Areas Scandinavians
Sweden is a kayaking and canoeing wonderland; it’s out of the question.
- In Stockholm’s vast archipelago, you could experience a Baltic Sea adventure while staying overnight on one of approximately 30,000 islands.
- Sweden’s western coastline, Bohuslänskusten, stretches from Gothenburg up north to the Norwegian border. It features 8,000 islands dotted with quaint fishing villages and is world-famous for its fresh seafood.
- The Glaskogen Nature Reserve has 80 pristine lakes and waterways with prepared shelters and fireplaces.
- Lake Åsnen, Sweden’s newest National Park, has a unique lake archipelago featuring islands, forests, and wetlands, home to rare animals like ospreys, white-tailed eagles, and lynx.
- In Dalsland, Swedens’s west, and just 190 kilometers away from Gothenburg, you will find hundreds of clear, clean lakes and rivers adjacent to endless forests. There are countless opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in the area with over 1400 kilometers of waterways.
I’m mentioning a few significant regions I visited personally. There are many more.
Landscape around the Polar Circle.
Still, the best tours were far north, close to the Arctic Circle, where the midnight sun lights up the sky 24/7 in the summertime, giving you double the time to explore this extraordinary and dramatic landscape. The sunsets merge into the sunrises, providing a warm light and a magical atmosphere. Above all, I barely saw anyone while paddling these crystal clear waters. I was alone! It’s not only every photographer’s dream!
Canoue Central – Kanotcentral
There are many places in Sweden where you can rent a Canou. I know a Canoue Central in Dalsland that even provide all necessary hiking equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, axe, food, outdoor stove, etc. Just everything you would need for a more extended hiking trip in Dalsland. You can rent the whole equipment, go wherever you want. Call the company when your vacation ends; they will pick you up somewhere in the wild.
Maximum Flexibility with the Own Boat
If you are lucky to own a boat, you are independent and can choose a place you like after studying a map. That’s what I prefer, following my inner voice without overthinking it. It’s the best method to find beautiful places that would have remained undiscovered by only following an official travel guide. That’s freedom and precisely the way all my unforgettable trips started.
Experience the Absolute Silence in the Nature
However, I need to warn you. When there is no wind, and the lakes get tranquil, reflecting the landscape like a perfect mirror, you can witness absolute silence. A silence that makes me automatically only dare to whisper, not to disturb it. The solitude experience could get overwhelming. I hope you enjoy these intense, unforgettable, almost magic moments as I always did.
“Luxurious” Camping
Another essential aspect of canoeing or kayaking is the baggage capacity of the boats. While it can be very challenging to carry a heavy backpack for days, it’s so much more comfortable to transport all the pack by boat. In addition to all the necessary outdoor gear, I must transport my photography equipment, including a drone and tripod.
Payloads Advantage of a Boat
Besides this, the transport capacity of a boat allows me to use fresh food and cook proper dinner in the evening instead of eating conserved outdoor food constantly. There is also enough space left for a bottle of wine to enjoy at a fireplace.
Angler’s Dream
Moreover, having fishing gear gives me at least a chance to catch fish and make the dinner unforgettable. It would be an unimaginable luxury if I only had one backpack’s capacity available. Furthermore, it’s so relaxing to load plenty of supplies into the boat, making the cruise self-sufficient for the following days or even weeks without planned supply stops.
What’s the Best Boat for Hiking?
Choosing a kayak, a canoe, or a dinghy for the journey is a matter of personal preference and availability. Of course, the kayak is much faster, not so wind-sensitive, and generally more navigable. Still, you can transport more equipment and supplies with a canoe or a rubber dinghy, and loading and unloading is straightforward. It’s a massive advantage if carrying the boat over land is necessary to reach a remote lake or a different river on your planned route.
A Proper Boat for a Fishing Tour
Consider that fishing from a kayak is nearly impossible, while it works fine from a canoe or a dinghy. I’m not worried about safety on a dinghy while fishing. My modern high-tech dinghie consists of 3 different material layers. The middle layer is for reinforcement. You would need to struggle hard to demage this boat with a fishing hook.
Sea Kayak is Fun!
I still love my long, fast sea kayak with watertight storage compartments. Unfortunately, there needs to be more space for a photography backpack. My solution is to keep the equipment very compact and store additional lenses and devices in the waterproofed baggage compartments with other sensitive gear or heavy equipment and supplies. I prefer to attach my sleeping bags and clothing to the kayak’s deck. This method keeps the boat balance within limits and ensures easy daily access.
Grabner Expedition Dinghies
I invested in a Grabner “Ranger” expedition dinghy a few years ago. Compared to other boats on the market, it’s costly. Still, after several months of experience, I admit it was worth it. It’s only 37kg and very compact when packed. The quality is excellent, and the robustness is impressive. You could use it in wild water rivers. I’m paddling it on short-range tours but using a 15-hp engine for greater-distance trips.
The Best Camera is the Handy One
Keeping my photography gear as tight as possible is one of the reasons I decided to use mirrorless system cameras in the future and changed my entire equipment. My Sony Alpha camera with some essential gear is always handy in a small waterproof photo bag I maintain between my legs.
Expect the Unexpected Weather
The weather, especially in Lappland, can change very quickly and unexpectedly. Refrain from trusting the forecast too much. One of my good fly-fishing friends convinced his city-girl girlfriend to accompany him to Lappland, promising her fantastic summer weather. As they woke up in their snow-covered tent, the vacation and the relationship almost ended.
Must-Have Equipment
Therefore, I always recommend warm sleeping bags and spacious tents with enough space for baggage and a sheltered outdoor kitchen. As I already mentioned, I love fresh, self-cooked food. I prefer to travel with my girlfriend, and rainy, cold days can become very cozy in a comfortable tent and warm sleeping bags. The outdoor equipment these days is fantastic, making even the worst weather phases easy.
Personal Dalsland “Homebase”
My family lives in Dalsland, and I wished for more time to paddle on the surrounding lakes. My brother-in-law is fishing there a lot from a motorboat. We have a huge house and offer rooms to stay overnight (Bed and Breakfast). Don’t hesitate to ask if you wish to rent a kayak or for a guided fishing tour. In front of the house is plenty of space for a caravan.
We would love to support your own Dalsland “expedition”!
I hope to help you with my information and looking forward to hearing about your experience.
Don’t hesitate to ask for more detailed or local information.
