THE KAYAK TRAIL

In short, because it is the largest and most diverse archipelago in Sweden. It has everything from sandy beeches and large islands with centuries of history and culture, to thousands and thousands of smaller skerries, wild and uninhabited (except for birds and the occasional seal). There are no tides, currents or big swells to worry about here.

Another good thing, is that it is conveniently close to Stockholm city. Stockholm city is itself built on 14 different islands, so the archipelago is in fact not only close to the city, the city is part of it! This is why sometimes Stockholm is called the venice of the north. Most of our guests who enjoy a guided kayak tour in untouched nature together with us also spend a day or two experiencing the urban city pulse of Stockholm.

Oh, and of course, Stockholm is easy to get to by both road, rail, water and air, which means you will have hassle-free and convenient travel and transfer. Needless to say, that does not hold true for all parts of Sweden.

Our experience is that with the right introduction, anyone can do a kayak tour with us. You do not need any prior kayak experience. If you choose our self-guided packages, we include a thorough introduction and “light kayak course”, and make sure you are ready before you set out. If you choose our guided tour, the guide will be with you every step of the way and chances are you come back with some newly found skills.

Yes, with some common sense and after out introduction in kayak safety. You do not need any prior kayak experience, but should be used to water and able to swim unaided. Our double kayaks are very stable and are well suited for beginners and intermediates. We can offer you single kayaks as well, but they require a lot of prior kayaking and skills. In Stockholm Archipelago there are no tides, currents or big swells to worry about. Typically, the most challenging part is handling strong winds (if they occur). We will guide you on how to choose different alternatives for routes when the weather is windy, and there is always the option to spend a day discovering your surroundings on a beautiful island while waiting out windy weather.

The Kayak Trail is run by a small group of warm-hearted down-to-earth kayak instructors. The guides leading the groups are always certified wilderness guides. Most of the guides work with kayak tours during the summer season, and spend the winters guiding in the Scandinavian fells. They are also certified for Wilderness First Aid. Needless to say, you can trust us to deliver a beautiful nature experience to you, but also to keep you safe and handle any unexpected situations (in the unlikely event that one should occur).

We have thought of everything, so you do not have to. For all our tours, you will receive all the gear you need for a safe and comfortable stay in nature. For more info, and a full equipment list, please check here.

The simple answer is: YES! Anything you do not wish to bring, including luggage bags and other items that you will not use during the kayak tour, can be left safely with us. Your items will be locked in our insurance grade containers, marked with your name and waiting for you once you get back from your tour.

We will provide you with 5 liter tanks (as many as you need) and advise on how much water to bring. If you booked a guided tour, the guide will take care of this for you.

For longer tours, there are a few places out in the archipelago were it is possible to refill during the trip (our kayak guides will show you on the map before you go). As a rule of thumb we recommend bringing 2,5-3 liter of drinking water per person and day.

Please remember to bring your own small water bottle (we recommend 0,5-1 liter) so that you can stay hydrated while on the water.

The simple answer is: almost anywhere. This is something we will talk you through during the introduction session for the self-guided tours, so you know all the Do’s and Dont’s. On our guided tours, you can rely on the guide to make sounds decisions regarding the camp sites you visit throughout the tour. Below is a bit more information if you are curious to know more.

• In Sweden we have something called Right of Public Access. This is a statutory right that allows all people to cross, stay and wild camp in nature, even if the land is privately owned. However, you cannot do whatever you like. You have an obligation to take care of and be careful with the environment. This means, for example, that you are allowed to camp on an island owned by someone, but that you must not cut down trees, damage plants or animals, or otherwise make visible signs that you were there.
• A good guiding principle is to ‘travel invisibly’. That is, it should not appear that someone has been at the place when you packed up and leave from there. Leave nothing but footprints.
• Keep in mind that the Right of Public Access does not apply to land that is directly adjacent to buildings—so you must not pitch the tent on someone’s lawn! If someone tells you you are to close to their dwelling, the reasonable thing to do is to respect this, and perhaps ask for a suitable alternative for the tent.
• You can learn more about the Swedish Right of Public Access  here.