Discover Wilderness Canoeing in Rogen (Sweden)

Discover Wilderness Canoeing in Rogen is a challenging but accessible canoe tour suitable for couples, groups of friends and active families used to the outdoors - a real canoeing adventure in the Swedish wilderness!

Flexible duration and many route variations possible

Discover Wilderness Canoeing in Rogen is a point-to-point canoe tour requiring a minimum of 5 days/4 nights but also suitable for much longer tours.

Apart from the minimum requirement to travel between the two points, there is a great deal of flexibility in between to vary the distance covered and parts of the reserve you explore and to adjust the level of challenge depending on your time, abilities and of course weather conditions.

Your canoe tour begins at Käringsjön ending Käringsjövallen (or vice versa - the tour is done in either direction depending on transfer logistics on your start day). You will be picked up from the end point 5-8 days or more later depending on the length of tour chosen.

In addition to a number of smaller transports, there are portages of approx. 700m and 500m required. Depending on the route chosen, the tour will also involve additional portages of 100-500m.

A beautiful labyrinth of interconnected lakes to explore

You may decide to explore the system of small tarns up towards Rödsjön and Skedbro, paddling further out towards Rödviken.

If weather conditions permit, the northern end of lake Rogen offers wonderful paddling with sandy bays, clear water and glorious views. And for those with a love of fishing, the area is marvellous for grayling and trout!

Alternatively, spend some time in the lovely Perch Bays area, where knarled pines dot the landscape. This area is also very good for grayling, and has a number of wind shelters where you can make a fire to cook your catch!

Network of camping shelters where campfires are permitted

Accommodation is wild camping along the route. There are also a limited number of wind shelters at various points where, if vacant, you are welcome to spend a night. These are also the only places in the reserve at which it is permitted to make a fire.

Fishing in Rogen

The area in which this canoe tour takes place offers excellent fishing. Using fly-fishing or spin-fishing techniques, large trout, grayling and pike may be caught. Each year perch weighing more than 1.5 kg are caught.

Fishing licences covering the areas in which you plan to paddle can be purchased from the canoe centre on arrival. Fishing equipment is available to hire as an optional extra.

Arrival

Detailed information you will need for your experience is sent out once full payment has been received.

Depending on terrain, strength, etc, you will normally need to walk carries twice - once with your rucksacks and packing and the second time carrying canoe, buoyancy aids and paddles. Do not risk injury by attempting to carry too much in one go. It is better to take your time and make additional trips.

NB: Description below is in direction Käringsjövallen-Käringsjön. Depending on arrangements for local transfers for your start day, you may do this tour in the other direction, that is starting at Käringsjövallen and ending in Käringsjön - this cannot be fixed in advance. Information on the direction of your tour will be given on arrival.

We recommend minimum 5 days/4 nights for this tour.

Go immediately to the canoe centre for information at 12.00. You will have an opportunity to shop for provisions, purchase any fishing licences, etc, before transfer to the start point at 13.00.

Your paddle adventure begins with a long carry of around 700m to a series of lakes known as the West Wings. The path is well-marked and goes over stoney terrain with some boardwalks. There is a jetty ideal for launching your canoe.

To continue your tour deeper into the reserve requires a carry of around 500m to the lake at Tandsjön, followed by shorter stretches of paddling and carrying to reach the larger lake of Rogen. Alternatively, head east to explore the Perch Bays, a beautiful system of lakes offering marvellous paddling through small sections of rapids (normally max. grade 1) and flat water.

A series of shorter carries and a longer carry of 400m is required for the stretch between Lake Rogen and Käringsjön. If time permits, take the chance to discover the many small tarns between Käringsjön and Rödviken to the south-east of Skedbro - a route involving a number of carries, one of which, around 500m over bog, is very challenging. This route is a fantastic experience offering many choices of overnight spot and beautiful paddling through a labyrinth of peninsulas and islands. This region also generally offers more sheltered weather than other areas.

Following Days

We recommend using the first days of your tour to explore the many bays of the lake system. There are one or two lean-to shelters in the area where you can spend the night and also make a fire. This is also an excellent area for pike and grayling fishing.

From here, your route will be dictated by the time available and weather conditions, perhaps taking you across Lake Rogen and through a series of islets to the very different landscape of the Bredå Lake area, or you may instead decide to leave your canoes and spend some days hiking in this beautiful region. There are number of options for peak hikes offering stunning views over the surrounding wilderness.

Departure

You will be met at the end point at 14.00 or 14.30 (depending on end point) for transfer back to the canoe centre. You will be back in Funäsdalen in time for connections to night train departures.

*Odd-numbered groups: If travelling as an odd-numbered group (not recommended), price for extra person in odd-numbered group is 2 x standard per person price.

This experience is recommended only for even-numbered groups (2, 4, 6 persons, etc). It is not possible to paddle three persons in one canoe for this tour. For odd-numbered groups (3, 5, 7 persons etc), one person will paddle solo in two-person canoe. Please note that, due to the land transports required, this will considerably increase the level of challenge of the tour as a whole and the time required for land transports, especially if just 3 persons.

Included

• Use of wind shelters/camping spots (camping equipment not included): Accommodation is wild camping. There are also wind shelters at certain locations. If these are unoccupied, you are welcome to use these for overnight stays. Wind shelters are also the only locations at which you are permitted to light a fire. Wood is supplied.
• Canoe equipment: Canadian canoe, paddles, buoyancy aids. The canoes used are 2-person Canadian canoes, normally aluminium canoes by Grumman, weight around 31-35kg.
• Tour information: Information on route possibilities, local points of interest, facilities, security information, suggested day hikes, recommendations for overnight spots, etc, is provided.
• Transfers: Return transfer from the canoe centre to the start/end point for the tour.

NB: Please be careful with the canoe and the rest of your equipment! If some part of the equipment should break as a result of misuse or carelessness, you may be charged for the damage caused.

Not Included

Map is essential for this tour - please see below.

• Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
• Map/route description: The tour is self-guided and you will plan your own route based on available time, level of experience and fitness, and local weather conditions. The tour cannot be done without map, which should be purchased independently. The Calazo map can be purchased on arrival at the canoe centre or you may wish to purchase independently in advance:
  • Grövelsjön & Rogen 1:50 000 published by Calazo. This map may not be available to purchase in advance outside Sweden.
  • Swedish Mountain Map Series Z59 Rogen 1:50,000. The Z59 map is now out of print, but copies may still be available, for example from www.themapshop.co.uk.
• Food: There is no food included. You must bring all food needed during the tour with you from the beginning. There is a food store in Funäsdalen. There is one cabin within the reserve with a small provisions store. However, you should not rely on this for essential provisions as the cabin may not be open during your tour or stocks may be limited.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

Swimming ability required for all participants. All participation at own risk.

Minimum 2 adults required. Recommended for even-numbered groups only (2, 4, 6 persons, etc). Odd-numbered groups (3, 5, 7 persons, etc) are possible with extra person paddling solo in 2-person canoe (it is not possible to paddle three persons in one canoe for this tour), but this will significantly increase the level of challenge of the tour as a whole and the time taken for land transports, especially if just 3 persons.

The tour is suitable for active families with children aged 10 and over (although we recommend the tour for adults only during the colder parts of the season), provided your family has appropriate outdoor experience for a self-guided tour in a remote wilderness region. Families should bear in mind that long lifts and carries of equipment are required when canoeing in this area.

You should be in general good health and have a good level of fitness and strength.

Depending on the route chosen, this tour may involve stretches of whitewater, normally max. grade 1.

Safety:

Rogen is an area of wilderness. There are no roads, no shops and no medical facilities. Contact details for local emergency services will be provided with your booking confirmation documentation.

While mobile reception may be possible at certain locations, you may not have reception for large parts of your tour. Emergency communications equipment is available at one cabin within the reserve.

To participate in this tour, it is therefore essential that you have experience of and are comfortable with travelling independently in a remote wilderness environment. This includes, but is not limited to, a practical working knowledge of:

• Map-reading and navigation
• First-aid and outdoor safety
• Wild camping and hillcraft

You must always be prepared to adapt your plans and route as necessary, for example to avoid crossing large bodies of open water in windy conditions and to take the shortest crossings wherever possible, especially on Lake Rogen.

What makes this "Medium-Hard"?

Rogen is a very remote area with little infrastructure. As a northerly location, the water may be very cold, and in windy conditions the lake can be very choppy. You should be generally confident on the water in a range of weather and wind conditions.

Land transports require carrying the canoe over rough terrain and can be very demanding. However, the route taken and overall distance covered is very flexible, especially if choosing a tour option with the same start/end point, so level of challenge can be varied from moderate to very challenging.

NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.

Equipment/clothes needed:

For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".

A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.

Preparing for your trip:

For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.

Groups

Discover Wilderness Canoeing in Rogen is ideal for groups - please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Eco Info

This provider has a written environmental policy.

Rogen:

The Rogen Nature Reserve is a wonderful area for wilderness canoeing - a very special moraine landscape of low mountains, ancient lichen-covered pines and a labyrinth of lakes, peninsulars, bays and islands.

The reserve was created in 1976 to preserve the unique natural heritage of this region. The highest point is Brattriet, at 1276m, with a number of other peaks between 1000m and 1200m.

Rogen is an important area for wildlife, including three of Sweden's largest and most fascinating predators - the brown bear, wolverine and lynx. Otters also inhabit the area and with luck you may see the majestic Golden Eagle and Rough-legged Buzzard circling over the landscape. In wintertime, Rogen is visited by Sweden's only population of musk ox.