STRÖMSHOLMS KANAL

Along the 110 km long river Kolbäcksån canal stretches were built at  the water falls in the 1700-century. The canal stretches are together 12 kilometer and include several locks. Along the other 98 kilometers, the river follow the original water course

  

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To paddle The Strömsholms Kanal along the few hundred years old canal stretches is a thrilling and exiting experience

 MALINGEN-LUDVIKA, FARMENLEDEN/ JERNLEDEN

The adventurous long paddler can start their paddling along Strömsholms Kanal in the canoe trail Malingen-Ludvika or Farmenleden/Jernleden

SVARTÅN

Is an other alternative for the long paddler who after a swing in Mälaren paddle Strömsholms Kanal upstream

STRÖMSHOLMS KANAL  

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From forest and mountains in the iron area to billowing fields in the valley of Mälaren. By history the canal has been a very important trade rout. It was along the canal the iron ore, timber and wood carbon was transported to the ironworks. And it was along the canal the pig iron was transported further from the ironworks and out in the wide world. A classic watercourse with plenty of history along its way. The highlight is the word inheritage site – The ironwork in Ängelsberg. On the small island Oljeön the world's oldest preserved oil refinery is located. Crude oil was transported from Pennsylvania in America. The ships came in through Stockholm and the lake Mälaren and passed through locks up along the canal. The train station in Smedjebacken has direct connection with Stockholm and Västerås. The port and supermarkets are both within walking distance from the railway station 

Train connections www.resplus.se indicate on time table and time table 55  

Trail description: river and lake paddling 

Degree of difficulty: easy

From - to: Smedjebacken - Strömsholm

Distance: 110 km, 50 % river paddling

Drop: 101 m total, 1 m/km on average 

Portages: 0 - 13. No portages if you choose to use the locks (only during the peak summer season). The river is equipped with special docks to make each portage easy. The canoe trolleys are rolled along smooth paths beside the locks

Landscape description: forest 

The rain and wind shelters have firm fire places and sometimes dry toilets

Maps: 12FSO,12GSV,11GNV-SV-SO,10GNO

The canoetrail continues to Mälaren

Good canoe trail description in English or German with a map is included in the hire  

Fishing: Pike and perch 

Smedjebacken - Fagersta:  Free transport of hired equipment on hires over 2800 kr/280 euro per transport day

Ängelsberg - Fagersta: Free transport of hired equipment on hires over 2800 kr/280 euro per transport day

 

PADDLE PACKAGE FOR PADDLERS FLYING IN TO STOCKHOLM ARLANDA, STOCKHOLM VÄSTERÅS OR STOCKHOLM SKAVSTA

Strömsholms Kanal is a tranquil and beautiful river with easy access from the international airports. From Stockholm Arlanda you catch the 30 minutes train or the airport bus (link) to the main train station in Stockholm. From Stockholm Skavsta the airport bus (link) to Stockholm takes 2 hours. From the train station in Stockholm a straight 2,5 hour train takes you to the small town Smedjebacken. Alternatively you fly in to Stockholm Västerås and catch the same straight train to Smedjebacken (1,5 hours ride). Smedjebacken is the starting point for the canoe trail Strömsholms Kanal. We meet you at the train station in Smedjebacken and transfer you (with a stop at the supermarket) to the starting point of the canoe trail. Train connection Stockholm-Smedjebacken www.resplus.se indicate on time table and time table 55

    

 Along the canoe trail you will find organized free campsites

To follow is a price example on four people who paddle The Strömsholms Kanal during one week

2 canoes: 4200 kr/420 euro  

4 life jackets: 0 kr/0 euro  

4 paddles: 0 kr/0 euro

2 trollies: 0 kr/0 euro  

4 waterproof phone cases: 0 kr/0 euro  

Drinking water: 0 kr/0 euro  

A Strömsholms Kanal canoe trail map in English or German: 0 kr/0 euro 

Transport of hired equipment: 1750 kr/175 euro  

Transfer from the train station in Smedjebacken to the river: 300 kr/30 euro  

A stop a the supermarket: 0 kr/0 euro

Transfer from the end of the river to the train station in Halstahammar: 750 kr/75 euro.  

From Hallstahammar there is a straight 1,5 hours train ride back to Stockholm or a 15 minutes straight train ride back to Västerås

Total: 7000 kr/700 euro (1750 kr/175 euro per person)

Other paddle packages (link)

MALINGEN - LUDVIKA

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The first part offer river paddling through a nice and beautiful forest. Then follows lake paddling along the three lakes Bysjön, Björken and Västman. At the first part occurs a few portages and an obstacle at low water as a small lake is half overgrown

 

  Trail description: river and lake paddling 

Degree of difficulty: difficult because of portages and a small half overgrown lake

From - to: Stora Malingen - Ludvika

Distance: 34 km, 30 % river paddling

Drop: 36 m total, 1,1 m/km on average

Portages: 6 portages

Landscape description: forest

Fishing: pike and perch

Maps: Fritidskartan for Ludvika kommun or 12FNO, 12FNV, 12FSV

An old canoe trail description is included in the hire which should be complemented with the maps above

Stora Malingen: Free transport of hired equipment on hires over 3150 kr/315 euro per transport day
Ludvika: Free transport of hired equipment on hires over 2800 kr/280 euro per transport day

FARMENLEDEN / JERNLEDEN

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The canoe trail passes some kilometers from the idyllic farm where the popular (Swedish) TV series The Farm was played in. The TV team fine-comb the country after a desolated place in the wilderness. Their choice of the farm 5 km from Norn was an excellent pick. A short hike in connection with the paddle adventure. Lodging on the farm can be arranged. Farmenleden is a combination of a paddle and hiking adventure when a few long portages  along dirt roads occurs. The canoe trail can be divided in in two parts. One easy and one difficult. Difficult due to many troublesome portages with a 5 kilometer portage included. portage included. A good alternative is to only paddle the easy party with start in Turbo and end in Saxen. The wilderness is a slumbering pearl. Just awake from the slumber by a popular TV series

 

 

Trail description: lake paddling in a system of long lakes

Degree of difficulty: difficult due to some difficult portages. Easy with start in Turbo and end in Saxen

From - to: Turbo - Söderbärke

Distance: 38 km, lake paddling 90%

Drop: 71 m total, 1,9 m/km on average

Portages: Turbodammen - Håsjön

Stora Sundsjön - Dammen

Dammen - Stora Norn

Saxen - Jörkesbo (5 km)

Lillängsviken - Säven

Dammsjön - Hjorttjärn

Landscape description: wilderness 

Fishing: pike and perch

Maps: 12FNO, 12FSO 

The canoe trail continues to Strömsholms Channel

Turbo: Free transport of hired equipment on hires over 3150 kr/315 euro per transport day

 Söderbärke: Free transport of hired equipment on hires over 2800 kr/280 euro per transport day

 Links to the canoe trails in Nordic Discovery's service area

 

1) The Nature Reserve Malingsbo/Kloten *****

11) Strömsholms Kanal ****

2) Middle Hedströmmen ****

12) Rastälven ****

3) Lower Hedströmmen ****

13) Järleån ****

4) Gunnilboån ****

14) Northern Svartälven ****

5) Nittälven *****

15) Upper Mångsälven ***

6) Garhytteån/Northern Arbogaån ****

16) Lower Mångsälven ****

7) Bottenån/Borsån/Southern Arbogaån ****

17) Southern Svartälven ****

8) Arbogaån/Southern Arbogaån ****

18) Malingen - Ludvika ***

9) Hjälmare Kanal ***

19) Farmenleden/Jernleden ***

10) Mälaren ***

20) Svartån ***

 

 

 

Paddle any of the province 20 canoe trails and get the canoes transported to the starting point and picked up from the finishing point without extra cost. Included are life jackets, paddles, canoe trolleys, trail information, waterproof phone cases and if the logistic allow a free ride of the driver back to the car at the starting point. For groups - free transport of hired equipment. Tour leader/Guide: 400 kr/40 euro hour/group 

SVARTÅN

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An unpolished jewel which has never become an official and marked canoe trail. Some portages are pretty difficult and the canoe trail is therefore classified as mid difficult. Between the portages Svartån is as good as good river paddling can be. The trail is recommended for birdwatchers. One of the closest rivers to the capital. A classic river for the people in Västerås who paddle all the way home

 

  Trail description: river paddling 

Degree of difficulty: easy paddling with some difficult portages = mid difficult

From - to: Hörendesjön - Västerås

Distance: 62 km, 95 % river paddling

 Drop: 57 m total, 0,9 m/km on average

Portages: 6 portages 100 m - 1 km

Landscape description: meadows

Fishing: pike and perch

Maps: 11GNO-SO. The maps are a recommended compliment to our canoe trail description

The canoe trail continues to Mälaren via a portage on 1,5 km through Västerås

Good canoe trail description is included in the hire (Swedish only) 

Free transport of hired equipment on hires over 3500 kr/350 euro per transport day

  Canoes and transport are to be booked from the break-up of the ice to freeze-up (approximately April - November)

For exact price information on the river you wish to paddle. Please write to Mikael.Nilsson@naturarvskompaniet.se

 

 

Trackless excursions

The paddler is a guest in the nature and is required to show responsibility and care. Not to harm and not to destroy. To be in the Swedish nature is a right but it is also a duty to behave well. The paddlers only track should be the whirlpool from the paddles

 
 

BOOK PADDLING ONLINE/MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PADDLING

 

Nordic Discovery - Naturarvskompaniet

Mikael.Nilsson@naturarvskompaniet.se

Handelsbobacken 2

Phone: +46 (0)580 31007 

Kloten

Cell phone: +46 (0)70 2551984

714 91 Kopparberg

 www.nordicdiscovery.se 

Sweden

www.naturarvskompaniet.se

 

  GPS coordinates: Latitude 59 53'43,17 "N  Longitude: 15 17'18,35 "E