Nature conservation

Nature conservation is very important in Sweden. Almost 4,000 nature reserves cover 85 percent of the country’s total area, which means special environmental protection and nature conservation regulations for these areas. Most national parks and nature reserves are accessible to visitors and offer well-equipped hiking trails, rest areas, parking lots and information centers. Active projects for the renaturation of wetlands and the promotion and restoration of natural biodiversity are also being driven forward. Sweden has numerous exemplary “Natura 2000” areas, which also include integrated bird sanctuaries.

Here you can find a very nice interactive overview of all nature reserves in Sweden

The Everyman’s Right (Allemannsrätten)

The ancient Swedish right of public access allows everyone to roam freely in nature, but also demands respectful treatment of nature and animals and considerate behavior towards landowners and other people. It does not apply to “motorized travellers”. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency summarizes the Everyman’s Right with the formula:

“Do not disturb, do not disrupt”.

However, it is regrettable that the right of public access is often misunderstood and leads to unauthorized behavior, especially for motorized travelers, such as motorhomes and “car wild campers”. In Sweden, too, they must always use a campsite or a designated parking space.

We can recommend a nice summary here (with video): Everyman’s right

Nature conservation areas and nature reserves

In principle, the right of public access also applies in the protected areas, although this is usually considerably restricted. For example, making fires and using vehicles are prohibited in Natura 2000 areas, as are loud music and letting dogs run free. Depending on the area, further restrictions may also apply, such as a ban on entering bird sanctuaries during the breeding season. In areas designated as natural monuments or biotope protection areas, it is not permitted to change the ecosystem.

Naturvårdskort and Glaskogskort

Some of our tours pass through the Dalsland-Nordmarken lake system, one of the most popular paddling areas in Europe. There are also nature reserves and closed bird sanctuaries here. A special “nature conservation card”(Naturvårdskort) is required to use the public rest areas along the waterways. This card can be purchased from us. A special card, the“Glaskogskort“, is also required in the Glaskogen nature reserve.

Where do you stay overnight during the canoe tour?

During your tour, you will sleep in the great outdoors in the tent you have brought with you. And wherever you can find a good place to camp for the night – be it on an island, peninsula or on the shore. However, not within sight of inhabited houses or settlements. On the western tours (Danoland-Nordmarken) there are over 100 Dano sites with wind shelters and fire pits. If you want to use them for camping or overnight stays, you must first buy a Naturvårdkort (nature conservation card), either from us or directly on site – online. Canoe groups of more than 5 people must use these sites for camping. Some tours lead through the nature reserve Glaskogen, also here there are many resting places, wind shelters and overnight cabins. You always need a Glaskogskort for your stay in the nature reserve. This card entitles you to use the rest areas and overnight huts. The Glaskogenkort is obligatory, and the price is already included in the corresponding tour suggestions.

Are there toilets on the way?

When you are out and about in the Swedish wilderness, the principle of “dig and bury” applies. Our basic package always includes a small folding spade so that you can dig your own toilet. The deeper, the better! Please never do your “big business” on the islands, as there is usually only a thin layer of humus and the ground is rocky. Always look for a place far away from your camp. A daily stop is best, combined with a short walk through the forest and an appropriate distance from the shore area (water protection).

In the Dalsland-Nordmarken canoeing area, there are usually small toilet blocks as well as a fire pit and a windbreak at the paid rest areas. In the canoeing areas to the east and north of us, there are only a few toilet blocks at irregular intervals.

We generally recommend taking the opportunity to enjoy the comfort of a campsite from time to time. You can find more information about campsites in the respective tour descriptions.

Campfire

Of course, we enjoy sitting around the small campfire in the evening, chilling out and enjoying the camp atmosphere. Or sizzle bread, sausages and other delicacies. But we should make sure that the fireplaces don’t get out of hand, don’t burn around the clock and, above all, aren’t as big as if we were holding a midsummer party every day.

The basic rule when making a fire is: Proceed conscientiously. You should never light a fire on small islands because the ground there is often dry and therefore a high risk of fire. Choose the substrate carefully, preferably a mixture of firm soil and clay, sand or gravel. Under no circumstances on dry, peaty ground, as the fire can eat deep into the soil and smolder for weeks until it is rekindled. Also keep enough distance from anything that can burn, such as branches, bushes, reeds, and also from your tent or tarp. In storms or strong winds, it is better not to light a fire to avoid flying sparks. And when you no longer need the fire, you must extinguish it completely, preferably with plenty of water.

Can I make a campfire anytime and anywhere?

Clearly no! Wild campfires are now banned all year round in almost all of Europe. Although the Swedish Everyman’s Right generally allows you to light a small campfire in nature, it is considerably restricted in many places (e.g. in nature reserves). In addition, making a fire may be completely prohibited during dry periods.

Public or club-maintained (secured) fireplaces are sometimes exempt from these bans, such as the fireplaces in the Dalsland-Nordmarken canoe area and the fireplaces in the Glaskogen nature reserve. However, lighting fires may also be completely prohibited there. There is a total fire ban when you see this sign:

In the entire Dalsland-Nordmarken canoe area, “wild fires” are completely prohibited between June 1 and August 31. Open fires are only permitted at the designated rest areas. Wild fires are also not permitted in the Glaskogen nature reserve.

We always endeavor to provide the canoe teams with the latest fire regulations, but accept no liability or guarantee for the completeness of this information. You are responsible for providing information about fire bans and fire risks. Here you will find a very good brochure on fire and everyman’s rights. In the Google Store you can also find a useful app about fire risks in Sweden – BRANDRISK Ute.

Noise, loudspeakers, music, festivities etc.

Most paddlers in Sweden are either in very small groups or only in pairs. The focus of a paddling tour is usually on peace, relaxation and experiencing an adventure as close to nature as possible. We also expect larger groups to behave as appropriately as possible. We urge you not to organize large parties, to keep the noise to a minimum and to avoid loudspeaker music altogether. The respective group leaders should take this responsibility seriously and ensure that the group behaves as appropriately and pleasantly as possible towards nature and the environment, local residents and fellow paddlers.

Can I fish during the canoe trip?

Paddling and fishing go well together, and if you want to stock up on fresh fish along the way, all you need is a Fiskekort and, of course, good luck. For many sections of the tour you can buy fishing permits from us or directly “online”. Prices range from SEK 40 per day to SEK 250 per week. A fishing license (exam) is not required in Sweden. As a rule, fishing in flowing waters is strictly prohibited.

Fishing equipment can be rented or purchased from us. Even though a fishing license is not required in Sweden, we generally only recommend fishing if you have the necessary basic knowledge. Before you buy a fishing license, please inform yourself about the respective fishing regulations, for example on the internet portal ifiske.se.

You can find more information about fishing in Sweden on this website Fishing in Sweden.

Water protection is NATURE PROTECTION

You are responsible for ensuring that waste water and other substances do not enter bodies of water. Since this also means groundwater, this task is sometimes not so easy to fulfill. Information on toileting has already been provided above.

Personal hygiene – outdoor soap, washing up – outdoor washing-up liquid, this “outdoor” is not a carte blanche.

Outdoor soaps and washing-up liquids are also harmful to our waters. Although they meet the legal requirements to be allowed to bear the name “outdoor”, they still contain many pollutants that can endanger or destroy the water ecosystem.

It is therefore important that you always carry out your personal hygiene, brush your teeth and wash up at least 30 meters away from the nearest body of water. The best detergent is still pure water.

Three tips for doing the dishes. Boil the pots again with water before rinsing, then the residues will come off easily. Fine sand is great as a “pot scraper” for dried up things. With a mixture of wood ash and water, you have the perfect washing-up liquid. The result is a wood ash lye – the detergent before our soap.

Trees, bushes, standing deadwood, firewood

In general, it is best to use existing storage and rest areas. Along the canoe routes you will often find many beautifully situated spots where you will immediately recognize that they have already been used as camps. This saves you a lot of work and you can set up your tent straight away. Under no circumstances is it permitted to remove or use living vegetation (trees, branches, bushes) to build a night camp or shelter or to obtain fuel. Standing deadwood may also not be used. Deadwood is essential for the health and balance of an ecosystem.

We generally recommend the use of public overnight accommodation.

Waste disposal

The first priority is to avoid waste and each of us should pay more attention to this. When planning your food packages, it’s worth making sure you take as little disposable packaging as possible with you on the tour. Most of the food can be easily transferred into sealable boxes or tins and stored in a space-saving manner.

Under no circumstances should waste be left behind in nature. All waste must be disposed of properly. During the tour, there are usually public waste containers provided for this purpose. Please put the garbage away in an organized manner and as compactly as possible so that it doesn’t overflow. Make sure that there are no food scraps so that no vermin are attracted. For Dano guests there are special Dano garbage containers. Waste disposal in the toilet blocks is strictly prohibited.

If you don’t have the opportunity to dispose of your garbage on the way, you can hand it in at the canoe center. By then at the latest, everything must be neatly separated and compactly arranged.