Activities
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking wilderness of Värmland, where you can discover the sparkling waters of the river Klarälven and explore hundreds of rivers and lakes in northern Värmland! Located 100km north of Karlstad, Vildmark i Värmland provides a one-of-a-kind experience to appreciate the river Klarälven and its remarkable natural surroundings. Whether you choose to build your own timber raft, paddle through nature in a canoe, observe beavers, or hike along well-marked trails, let the enchanting beauty of Klarälven captivate you as you embark on an unforgettable wilderness adventure.
Are you ready for an adventure?
OUR WILDERNESS ADVENTURES ARE EXPERIENCES OUT OF THE ORDINARY
Timber raft packages
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.
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.
Canoe packages
KLARÄLVEN 7 OR 4 DAYS
Our canoe tours on the river Klarälven are perfect for the whole family as it is free from rapids and power plants. You paddle along the river and choose where you want to camp along the way. We organize all local transportation for your convenience and for environmental sustainability. Arrive at our canoe center in Gunnerud by public bus or car, and we take care of your transport to the starting point. Your journey along the river leads you back towards the canoe center.
SVARTÄLVEN 7 OR 4 DAYS
Starting on the border of Dalarna county in eastern Värmland, the river Svartälven is one of our best canoeing waters. The river runs south through vast areas of outstanding natural beauty. The canoe tour on Svartälven offers a diverse experience from the beginning. While the river narrows at times, it transitions into the winding river Tvärälven and further leads into several smaller lakes.
BERGSLAGEN 5 DAYS
Paddling through the region of Bergslagen, spanning parts of Västmanland, southern Dalarna, and eastern Värmland, you’ll encounter vast forests, hills, valleys, wetlands, and numerous lakes. Known for its serene and relatively untouched landscapes, Bergslagen is ideal for those craving tranquility.
ROTTNAN 4 DAYS
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.
KLARÄLVEN 3 DAYS
Our canoe tours on the river Klarälven are perfect for the whole family as it is free from rapids and power plants. You paddle along the river and choose where you want to camp along the way. We organize all local transportation for your convenience and for environmental sustainability. Arrive at our canoe center in Gunnerud by public bus or car, and we take care of your transport to the starting point. Your journey along the river leads you back towards the canoe center.
CURIOUS ABOUT CANOEING?
Whether it’s been a while since you last went canoeing or you’re a complete beginner, this is the perfect opportunity to experience nature on the waterways of northern Värmland. No prior knowledge is required. We provide you with information about safety and paddling technique on-site. You enjoy the experience – we take care of the practicalities!
Other packages
BEAVER SAFARI
On select summer evenings, you can embark on an enjoyable tour by rubber boat or canoe (depending on number of people), along the serene river Klarälven. Immersed in nature, you’ll float peacefully as the sunset casts a warm glow over the landscape. Keep a keen eye out for the busy beaver, they are known to inhabit the banks of the river, and with a bit of luck, you may catch a glimpse of their industrious activities.
HIKING IN NORTHERN VÄRMLAND
Explore four different hiking areas, two of which are designated nature reserves, during this self-guided adventure. All the trails are well-marked, ensuring a rewarding experience for nature enthusiasts. We provide you with the necessary maps, and you can hike at your own pace. Your accommodation is in a cozy cabin at Klarälvens Camping. As an added bonus, you have access to the wood-heated sauna and a canoe during your stay, allowing you to fully unwind and further explore the natural surroundings.
What our guests say about us
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.
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.
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)
Beaver Safari is an activity that is experienced in the evening. The beavers are most active during dusk/night/dawn and to increase the chance of seeing beavers, we are out when it starts to get dark and onwards. We do not have a minimum age limit for children, but you as the legal guardian know the child best if she/he can take part in an activity that takes about six hours and will not finish until about 11:30 p.m.
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.
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!
“Värmland’s nature – fantastic opportunities for a breath of life!
Embark on a journey to create lasting memories together. Our timber rafting adventure is ideal for companies, individuals, teams, school groups, and more. Rooted in the legacy of log drivers who led rugged yet liberating lives fraught with challenges, our timber rafting excursions pay homage to their history. Log drivers lived in simple cabins and worked together for several weeks to ensure that the timber and pulpwood floated safely down rivers to sawmills or pulp factories. Even though the era of log drivers has passed, you can get a sense of the lifestyle and traditions by building and riding a timber raft down the Klarälven river. Just like the log drivers of the past, you will experience the freedom in living close to nature. You will also need to solve challenges together as a team and navigate difficult situation along your adventure.
The canoe is one of the world’s oldest means of transportation and can be traced back 6000 years. Our canoe tours take you through a forest-rich landscape along the mighty Klarälven river, enchanting tarns and winding forest rivers, all while taking in views of blue mountains on the horizon. It is a fantastic and simple way to get close to the water without disturbing the peaceful quiet with the sound of a motor. Our canoes are open touring canoes called “Canadians”. They are easy to pack and stable to paddle. They are suitable for the watercourses we paddle in northern Värmland.