Our journey starts at Northern Soul Journeys, surrounded by deep woodlands and waterways.  Our route along Beaver creek starts further north still, so after a short drive to the launch point we’ll set off into the wilds. This part of the journey is all about traditional canoe skills: portages, poling and lining the narrow creek as we carve our way through a rarely used course. You’ll have every opportunity not only to learn these skills, but use them as vital tools in the passage south. After two days travel we’ll establish a camp and spend a full day learning a suite of bushcraft inspired expedition skills from foraging to craft projects. We then make our along the second half of our journey to the sea, now as the waterways open into several lakes connected by creeks we explore an ecosystem that is unknown here in the UK. The final leg of the trip sees our creek join a much larger and slow flowing river which will take us all the way to the sea.

Canoeing through the tranquil creeks in northern Sweden offers an experience like no other, where the rich woodlands embrace you on both sides far from the tourist tracks. As you paddle gently along the meandering waters, the serenity of the landscape is punctuated by the calls of distant wildlife and the rustle of leaves. Your specialist guides lead the way, ensuring not only safety but also enriching your understanding of the unique ecosystem around you. Each day leads to a new wild camping spot beneath a canopy of mixed leaves, where the crackle of a fire and the scent of spruce create a comforting ambience. This journey is a harmonious blend of adventure, effort, and tranquillity, allowing for a deeper connection to nature and the allure of the great outdoors.

Embarking on a canoe trip through Sweden’s backwoods offers a unique opportunity to deepen your connection with nature. By integrating bushcraft skills into your journey, we’ll can develop your personal ability to thrive in this environment, ensuring safety and bolstering your adventure. Learn to identify edible plants along the way, build a fire for warmth and cooking, and craft essential tools from natural materials. With a knowledge of navigation and foraging, you can confidently explore waterways and woods we’re travelling through. Embrace the art of living harmoniously with the environment, making your Swedish canoe trip not only a physical journey but a transformative one, steeped in the traditions of bushcraft.

The whole area is a wildlife haven and the canoe is the perfect way to get close to some of Sweden’s forest occupants; Nestled within the captivating landscapes of northern Sweden lies a realm teeming with remarkable wildlife. From the majestic moose roaming the dense forests to the elusive capercaillie foraging in the undergrowth, this region offers a truly immersive experience for nature enthusiasts. As you venture into the heart of this Nordic wilderness, the sighting of a towering moose, its impressive antlers silhouetted against the backdrop of towering pines, is a moment of pure awe. These gentle giants, adapted to the harsh climate, graze peacefully, a testament to the delicate balance of this ecosystem. The birdlife of northern Sweden is equally captivating, with the graceful flight of the majestic golden eagle soaring overhead, and the melodic calls of the Siberian jay echoing through the trees. The opportunity to witness these avian wonders in their untamed environment is a true delight for the senses. Exploring the pristine lakes and rivers of this region also offers the chance to spot the elusive Eurasian beaver, its industrious dam-building activities shaping the landscape and providing a vital habitat for countless other species.

DETAILS:

• Travel and arrival - Detailed joining instructions will be sent out to you well in advance of the expedition.

  • You will need to make your own way to Lulea, Sweden. We will collect everyone from Lulea via minibus at 9am and drive you to the trip start point of the trip. This journey is around an hours drive.

• Accommodation - All canoe wild camping.  

• Food and Drink - This expedition is catered with food provided for breakfasts and evening meals.  Food will be typical canoe camping fayre. We take our catering seriously and we aim to make the food one of the highlights of the trip. We can cater to vegetarians and some medical intolerances but vegans and more unusual food requirements can be tricky when group cooking.  We are always happy to chat about this before booking. You will need to bring your own lunches and snacks.

• Weather/conditions - Sweden in September can be changeable, warm days with cold nights. Please make sure you read the kit list thoroughly.  

• Age requirements - 18+.  

• Fitness/ability -  You need a basic level of fitness to attend this expedition.  No previous canoeing experience is necessary, although you may get more from the course if you have completed a taster session.   We suggest that being able to walk 5km at least each day is a good minimum bench mark.  Some days we will be paddling 10km or so, which while not particularly strenuous, can make some muscles ache a bit if not conditioned.   We want you to enjoy the expedition so please contact us with any questions on this.

• Payment - To book we will take a 25% non returnable deposit with the balance due 10 weeks before the expedition start date.  See our full Terms and Conditions.

•  Insurance - We have comprehensive liability insurance and risk assessments. We strongly suggest that you have your own travel insurance policy that covers your kit and yourself for the planned travel and activity plans.    

• First Aid/Medical  - The leaders are experienced in remote first aid. We will carry a comprehensive expedition first aid kit and Garmin Inreach device for emergencies.  Please bring with you plenty of any required personal medication.   

Kit List

Meet the Team