Dalsland’s mix of raw Swedish nature, beautiful freshwater lakes, and the canal’s intricate system of locks, makes it one of Europe’s best places for canoeing and kayaking. If you are visiting Sweden in the summer and want a genuine Swedish nature experience, look no further than a canoe trip in Dalsland.
Dalsland is one of my personal favourite destinations in Sweden. Located only a few hours north of Gothenburg, it is the perfect destination for a weekend escape from the busy city. The region is well known for its natural landscape, the “lake district” of Dalsland (Dalsland-Nordmarken’s lake system) being one of the main reasons for this. This area makes up over 10,000km2 and the Dalsland canal system connecting these lakes is over 250km long.
This canoe trip to Dalsland was something I had on my Sweden bucket list since the day I moved to Gothenburg, however, it wasn’t until my brother came to visit from Australia that we finally made the time to do it – and wow do I wish we had done it sooner! The trip was incredible and definitely something I recommend to anyone who enjoys water sports, camping and spending time in nature.
In this guide, I will take you through everything you need to know about canoeing in Dalsland, including where to hire canoes and kayaks, what you need to know about DANO and details of our route.
Want to spend more time in Dalsland? Make sure to read my detailed itinerary for two days in Dalsland which includes tips for places to visit, hikes and wild swimming spots!
This post was written in collaboration with Bootshaus and DANO but all thoughts and opinions in this post are genuine. Please note that this post contains affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase through the link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I make sure to only ever promote products and brands I have used and like, and that all links are to trusted websites.
- Things To Know Visiting Dalsland
- Canoe Rental along the Dalsland Canal
- The Best Time to Canoe in Dalsland, Sweden
- Things to Know Before Canoeing or Kayaking in Dalsland
- 3 Day Itinerary: Self-guided canoe trip along the Dalsland Canal
- Overview: Dalsland Canal Canoe Guide and Itinerary
- Want to experience more of West Sweden?b
- More Sweden travel guides
Things To Know Visiting Dalsland
Where is Dalsland?
Dalsland is a region in West Sweden, just north of the second largest city Gothenburg. To the west of the region you will find Norway, and to the east Sweden’s biggest lake the Vänern. As a region, Dalsland is well known for its lakes and rich forest lands as well as the historic canal and aqueduct in Håverud.
How to get to Dalsland
There are many ways to reach Dalsland and the Dalsland Canal. In this guide, I will assume you are coming from Gothenburg in the south. From here, you can either travel by car or public transport to reach the Dalsland Canal. Both options take a similar amount of time.
Taking Public Transport to the Dalsland Canal
Taking the train and bus from Gothenburg to Dalsland is a relatively easy journey, with frequent trips every day of the week. There are several different routes you can take, the time of which depends on how well the connections line up. The best way to plan your trip is to search for the best option on Västtrafik, West Sweden’s public transport company. On average, it takes around 2.5 hours to reach Bengtsfors and 1.5 hours to reach Håverud.
If you want to make the most of your trip, I can recommend taking the train and bus to Håverud where you can take a look at the aqueduct and walk along the canal before taking the DVVJ train from Håverud to Bengtsfors. Known as The Beautiful Views Railway, this train journey is really worth making time for. You can find out how to book train tickets and find the timetable here.
Driving to the Dalsland Canal
If you are planning to canoe in Dalsland, you will likely want to drive straight to your canoe rental. We hired our canoes from Bootshaus in Bengtsfors where they have parking available. From Gothenburg, this is quite a simple drive following the E6 to Uddevalla and continuing along the 172 all the way to Bengtsfors. This trip takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Canoe Rental along the Dalsland Canal
There are a few different places to hire canoes and kayaks along the Dalsland Canal. We hired ours from Bootshaus, a rental shop and lodge located in Bengtsfors. This turned out to be the perfect starting point for our three-day canoe trip as we wanted to include a mix of locks along the canal and the more untouched side of Dalsland, all of which were close by. You can find out exact route at the bottom of this post.
The other great thing about hiring our canoe and kayak here is that they have lodging available so we could stay the night before starting our trip early the next morning! We stayed in the mini apartment, with views over Lake Lelång, which was perfect after a long day of travelling and exploring Håverud. You can find all their accommodation options on this page.
If you are more interested in paddling in Dalsland from a training/fitness perspective, they also sell paddle spots products online at dietzpaddling.com.
Canoe or kayak hire?
Bootshaus have the option to hire both canoes and kayaks. We hired one of each as we were three people and wanted to test out both alternatives. While there were definitely positives and negatives to both, I would probably hire only kayaks next time. The canoes were a lot of fun and it was nice to be able to chat to each other whilst we paddled, however, we did struggle in the harsher winds with control and speed.
Rental costs vary whether you take a canoe, kayak or double kayak, but when it comes down to it the price difference is quite minimal. If you are interested in hiring a canoe or kayak from Bootshaus, you can find their prices here.
Hiring Camping Equipment
If you are not from Sweden, or don’t own your own camping gear, doesn’t mean that you can’t do this trip! Not only do Bootshaus hire out canoes and kayaks, they also have tents, sleeping mats, camp kitchens, dry bags and barrels available to rent – basically everything you will need for this trip! You can find all the prices for camping gear, along with canoe and kayak rental here.
The Best Time to Canoe in Dalsland, Sweden
The best time to canoe in Dalsland is during the summer months of June to August. June is a great month as the locks are open, the weather is usually nice, and the canal is a little quieter. In the peak season of July and early August, you will likely find it much busier and will likely be sharing a wind shelter or camping area with another group. Peak season is considered the middle of June to the middle of August, with pre-season starting at the end of May and post season running until the end of August.
Something to consider when planning your paddling trip along the Dalsland Canal is that the locks are only open from June to August. While it is not a problem if you visit outside these times (you can use your boat cart to pass these areas) they are very much a part of the experience so I would recommend trying to visit while they are open.
Things to Know Before Canoeing or Kayaking in Dalsland
Canoeing in the Dalsland Nordmarken area is an incredible trip, but, before planning your trip, there are a few things you need to know and plan for.
Locks Along the Dalsland Canal
The Dalsland Canal which connects the system of lakes is made up of a system of locks (sluss in Swedish) which work to raise and decrease the water level so the canal can flow over hills and valleys. There is a total of 31 locks along the Dalsland Canal, 17 of which have lock stations. These are usually very picturesque red cottages adorned with flowers, where the lock workers live during the summer months as they work to open and close the locks.
You can find a map which includes all the locks along the canal on this page.
When are the Dalsland Canal Locks Open?
The locks in the Dalsland Canal are open from June to August, with the hours differing throughout the summer months. In 2023, when we took our trip, the majority of June locks were open from 11am to 4pm, while in July they were open from 9am to 7pm. In the beginning of August, they were open from 9am to 7pm, and 10am to 5pm on Sundays, and in the second hand of August they were open from 10am to 5pm. Planning your trip for another year – here you can find a list of the updated opening times.
While the locks are open these times, to enter a lock you must be able to complete it by the time it closes. However, this is much less of an issue if you are canoeing or kayaking as if the locks is closed its very easy to use the boat cart to reach the other side.
How to Pass Through the Dalsland Canal Locks
While it may seem confusing before you take the trip, using the locks of the Dalsland Canal is very easy. Arriving at a lock, you will see an orange sign pointing to “sluss”. Following this sign, you will reach a waiting dock where you can park up until you have talked to the lock keeper who will let you know when you can pass through, and where in the canal you should be placed. If you are alone in the lock, you will likely be placed on the right-hand side, holding a rope as the water is lifted/ removed.
How to Buy Tickets for the Dalsland Canal Locks
To pass through the locks, you will need to purchase a ticket. If you know the route you plan to take, you can purchase the ticket in advance online here. If you are unsure, you can instead purchase tickets at the lock. The best way to do this is to pay by card. The prices for the different lock stations depends on the number of locks chambers – generally it is 45kr per lock per boat. For example, there is one lock at 18:e so a ticket for a double canoe costs 45kr, however, there are 2 locks at Bengtsfors, so a ticket costs 90kr.
You can find more details here.
DANO Campsites
The Dalsland Nordmarken region is looked after by DANO, a non-profit organisation who work to preserve the natural landscape of the Dalsland lake district. A part of this, they have a selection of wild camping sites set up throughout the region. To access these, you will need to purchase a DANO Nature Conservation Card. At each campsite, you will find a toilet, pre-stocked piles of wood for fires, and wind shelters perfect for spending a night in the wilderness.
The card costs 60kr per person per night and can be bought online or at your canoe rental. While you don’t necessarily need it to canoe in the Dalsland Canal, it is very much recommended, especially if you plan to canoe along Lake Svärdlång where camping is only allowed in the DANO campsites. Additionally, keep in mind that if you are a group of 5 or more people, DANO ask that you only stay at the designated campsites.
You can buy the DANO nature Conservation Card here.
Bookable Wind Shelters
In addition to the unbookable wild campsites, DANO has two bookable wind shelters. These are great if you want to sleep in a wind shelter overnight but don’t want to worry about sharing one with others. The wind shelters in question are Vikningen (Campsite no. 50) and Snäckan (campsite #87). We stayed in Vikningen on the first night of our canoe trip which was a really special experience. The wind shelter is of a unique design, with three “beds” and storage space for your things. It was my first time staying in a wind shelter and not a tent, and it was truly amazing.
Another benefit I have to mention is that unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side on the first night and we experienced quite a lot of rain during the evening. Waking up in the wind shelter, not having to worry about drying or packing up a wet tent was great – especially as we planned to camp the next evening.
Canoe maps and books
Another thing to consider taking with you is a map of the Dalsland lake system. We took the Canoe Country map with us on our trip which was great because not only did it include all the campsites, details of the locks and each area, there were also loads of tips on how to respect the nature while camping/ canoeing, and guides on the local plant and animal life. The book was waterproof so easy to keep in the canoe at all times and available in English, Swedish and German. You can buy the map on DANO’s website.
West Sweden Map
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In this map and guide to West Sweden you will find over 300 tips for places to visit in and around the region. These are places I have visited and personally recommend – some hidden gems and a few more well known spots!
3 Day Itinerary: Self-guided canoe trip along the Dalsland Canal
Our canoe trip to Dalsland lasted a total of 3 days. While this was the perfect long-weekend trip, I would in the future definitely try and stay out for longer. With help from Christian at Bootshaus, we planned out our three day route which consisted of a mix of canoeing slowely through the locks of the canal, and enjoying some time paddling along the larger Lake Svärdlång. You can find some of their suggested itineraries here, however, they will definitely help you plan the perfect trip when you arrive if you want help. Below is our exact itinerary in more details.
Day 1: Bengtsfors to Vikningen (Campsite no. 50)
We began our trip in Bengtsfors, at the Bootshaus canoe rental shop and paddled through a total of 7 locks on our way towards Vikningen and Lake Svärdlång. In total, this took us around 5 hours. If you plan to take this route I recommend starting early to be able to make the journey, especially if there is high wind in areas.
The highlight of this day was definitely passing through the locks; Bengtsfors, 19:e & 20:e, 18:e, and Billingsfors. Each lock station is so picturesque and just being able to experience the canal from the water is an amazing experience.
After passing through the Billingsfors lock, we stuck to the left-hand side and made our way up to the land crossing from Laxsjön to Lake Svärdlång. This was probably the most difficult part of the day as the crossing consists of quite a considerable hill which you will need to take the canoes up. However, being able to get that mix of locks and beautiful lake canoeing definitely makes it worth it!
We spent the night at Vikningen which is located on a beautiful peninsula. Standing down by the water you can really take in the nature which makes Dalsland so special. As I already mentioned, staying in this wind shelter was perfect as we awoke to quite a bit of fog and rain in the morning. If you are planning on taking this route, I recommend booking the wind shelter as soon as possible.
Day 2: Vikningen (Campsite no. 50) to Kråkenäs
The second day started at the wind shelter Vikningen and was much more of a leisurely trip as we made our way up through Lake Svärdlång towards Kråkenäs. On this section of the route, you will not come across any locks, only one short land crossing by Campsite #55 (Skifors). We spent the day making short swimming stops, exploring the forests and small islands, and searching for chanterelles.
By the late afternoon, we decided not to head to a campsite but instead spend the night in a clearing to the side of the lake. The forest land here here was beautiful, with a mix of blueberries, lingon, spruce trees and heather growing along the lakeside. As I mentioned before, there is a fire ban throughout the Dalsland Nordmarken lake system from June 1 to August 31, so if you plan not to stay at a campsite, please keep this in mind.
Day 3: Kråkenäs to Kråkviken
On the third day of our canoe trip through Dalsland we decided to have a slow morning enjoying the forest and take a leisurely paddle to our final destination of Kråkviken. As I mentioned before – I would definitely recommend paddling in Dalsland for more than 3 days if you can make the time, however, this long weekend was still a perfect chance to experience the incredible lakes and canal.
If I were to extend this trip by one day, we would have continued from Kråkviken, through the lock station at Krokfors, and back to Bootshaus through lake Lelång (perhaps a trip for another day?)
Overview: Dalsland Canal Canoe Guide and Itinerary
Canoeing in the Dalsland-Nordmarken lake district, and through the Dalsland Canal is an incredible and unique experience that should be on everyone’s Sweden bucket list. There is no better way to experience the magic of Swedish summer than by canoeing through the Swedish wilderness, stopping for wild swimming and spending the evenings by the fire. On top of that, there is no better way to experience the Dalsland Canal than through its waterways, taking the locks up and down the lakes.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments and I will get back to you with answers as soon as possible!
Want to experience more of West Sweden?b
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