Assembling will take place at 5 PM in Gunnerud (this is the same as your starting day, which is indicated on your confirmation). You will receive the equipment you have booked for your tour. Following this, we will provide information on building the raft, the river route, and the Swedish right of public access. If you arrive by car, it will be parked in Björkebo during your timber raft tour. Your first night will be spent in your tent at our wilderness camp in Gunnerud.

At the building site on the riverbank, there will be a good supply of 3-meter-long logs and rope, which are all you need to construct a stable timber raft. You will either roll or carry the logs down to the river, as your raft—which, when completed, will weigh between 1.5 and 2 tonnes—must be built in the water. An experienced instructor will be present at the building site to assist you. The timber raft will measure 18 m². (If you are planning to take this trip with just two people, you also have the option to build a smaller, half-sized raft measuring 9 m².) After building, you will moor the timber raft and set up your tent for the night.

During the timber raft tour, you can spend the night under canvas on your well-moored raft or on land in a tent. The choice of suitable spots for each night is entirely up to you. Along the river, there are also two campsites (which are quite close to each other), giving you the option to spend one or more nights for a fee at a well-equipped campsite, either in your own tent or in a small cabin. If you choose to stay at Klarälvens Camping, two nights in a tent are free of charge. The canoe, which is included in the basic equipment, makes it easier to reach the shore, find a campsite for the night, or stop by one of the local convenience stores.

With the current as the engine of your timber raft, you will travel in complete silence. This allows for the possibility of spotting wild animals, though it’s important to remember that the valley’s cultural landscape has been inhabited for centuries. Historically, agriculture has been highly profitable in the region. As you float down the river, you’ll still encounter cultivated land and pastures. The wild animal you’re most likely to see is the beaver, which primarily lives in and around the river. The riverside is also home to many other small and fascinating creatures, including a near-extinct beetle that relies on open sandy areas for survival.

You set your own daily stages with the timber raft, but day 5 might be a great opportunity for a hiking trip along the Fämtån. From Klarälven, it’s about 800 meters to Fämtfallen, a series of waterfalls with a total height difference of 44 meters. From the falls, there is a hiking trail that follows the Fämtån River and its canyon, which reaches a maximum depth of around 60 meters. About 4 kilometers upstream, a suspension bridge crosses the river. The trail then follows the river downstream, leading back to the base of the falls. It’s a beautiful and varied trail with stunning scenery. After your hike, you can continue your timber raft journey the same day.

At your destination in Björkebo, you will return your rented equipment and dismantle your raft by 5 PM.

If you have time after your timber raft trip, we recommend visiting the Fänstjärnsskogen nature reserve, which is about a 20-minute drive from Björkebo. Fänstjärnsskogen is characterized by very old forests with high natural value, where only minimal logging has taken place. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the forest was affected by numerous fires, and traces of these events can still be seen today. Many of the pines are approximately 200 to 250 years old, but the oldest living specimen is a remarkable 600 years old! The reserve features a 5 km hiking loop, and a short detour will lead you to an old raftsman’s hut, which is a perfect spot to enjoy your packed lunch.