Kolarmoraåns kanotled, Vällen - Bysjön, 18 km

Length: Total about 18 km depending on the starting point (about 15 km from the inlet of Kolarmoraån to Bysjön).

Lift: Short lift (about 5 m) at the dam a few hundred meters after the Kolarmoraån inlet.

Service: Two rest areas with shelters along the trail.

The Kolarmoraån canoe trail starts in Lake Vällen and ends in Bysjön. The trail runs mostly through undeveloped wilderness and you paddle past several nature reserves. Lake Vällen can be exposed to wind and waves but in the river you are met by a lush protected paddling. At Aspdalssjön and Storsjön there are several good rest and bathing places.

There is a shelter with a barbecue area near Vällen at the beginning of Kolarmoraån and on the northern shore of Aspdalssjön, keep left after paddling under the bridge. The Upplandsleden trail passes by the shelter near Vällen and many hikers also stop here for a rest or overnight stay.

Good starting points for loading canoes are Måviksbadet, Vällenbadet or Björnsundet. Parking is available at all three locations. Måviksbadet and Vällenbadet also have toilets, picnic tables and barbecue areas. It is not possible to put in canoes at the beginning of Kolarmoraån, the road there is blocked.

The inlet to Kolarmoraån is located on the eastern side of Vällen a few km north of the highway bridge. The start of the canoe trail is signposted with a blue sign with white text "KANOTLED" but you may have to look a little before you find the right one as reeds can obscure the sign some seasons.

The trail ends in Bysjön and you can pick up canoes at the bathing area at the end of the lake near the bridge where there is a jetty, picnic table and parking. If you want to paddle a shorter distance, you can pick up canoes at the highway bridge where Aspdalssjön begins. If you want to continue your paddling after Bysjön, you can get all the way to the sea via Harbroholmsån, Skebobruk and Hallstavik. This is not a prepared canoe route and between Bysjön and Skebobruk the paddling is demanding with some more difficult lifts and the stretch can only be paddled at high tide. Between Skebobruk and Hallstavik the paddling is easier.

Canoes can be rented at Vällenbadet through Upplands Ekeby Bygdegård, see their website for more information.

Keep in mind:

• If you go out in spring you should have some experience of paddling. The water is cold and you will quickly get chilled if an accident should occur.
• Never paddle without a life jacket.
• Be considerate of plants, wildlife, landowners and other people.
• Keep your distance from birds, especially in spring and early summer when they have eggs and chicks.
• Don't forget to bring a garbage bag. Along the canoe route there is no one to clean up, put your garbage in the bag and take it home.
• A branch saw can be good to have if nature has placed a minor obstacle across the river.