Tämnaråns kanotled, Västland - Karlholm

Length: 9 km. Difficulty: Medium. Lift: Näs, 50 m (at low tide).

Varied and exciting paddling, where the river meanders through the landscape surrounded by lush greenery. The river is mostly deep, but because there are some obstacles along the way, we give the stage a difficulty level of "medium". The obstacles consist of flowing water and short sections that can be densely vegetated in summer.

The stage starts at Stav, north of the road towards Skärplinge. Here you can stop by car at the roadside and unload canoes. You can then walk with the canoe along the edge of the field, 100 m down to the river. Once you reach the river, there is a short steep slope down to the water. You can park your car at Västland church.

The first part up to Näs contains some parts with flowing / rapids, but which can be paddled through. You should have some paddling experience. In Näs there is a rest area. Next to the rest area there is a short shallow stretch of rapids, just after the bridge. At high tide you can paddle past here. At lower water levels, you can either get out and wade with the canoe or lift it up on the left side just under/after the bridge. Carry up past the picnic area and moor at the jetty below the rapids.

A bit after Näs there is another section with flowing water. At low tide you need to get out and lead the canoe past rocks that stick up. Bring shoes/sandals that can be waded with, or high boots. It is difficult to take the canoe up on land and lift it past the obstacle.

At the Snatra bridge there is a bridge and a rest area on the left. You can stop here by car to load or unload canoes, but there is no parking.

A bit after the Snatra Bridge you paddle under a semi-circular bridge. It is the remains of a rafting channel that was built in 1939 and went from the Dalälven and out to the sea south of Karlholm. A total of 12 km. Today most of the channel is covered.

As you approach Karlholm, the river forks, just after you have passed under highway 76. Here you should keep left to paddle into Lillån and continue to Dammen i Karlholm. Before the dam you pass first under a footbridge and then under a pipe. Both of these are quite low and it can be difficult to get under at high tide. When you reach the bell tower that stands by the dam in Karlholm, you have reached the end of the Tämnarån canoe trail. There is a jetty and picnic table. There is a fireplace on a promontory in the southern part of the dam.

About Tämnarån's canoe trail Tämnarån starts at Lake Tämnaren and stretches out to the sea at Karlholm, a distance of about 50 km. Most of the river is good for canoeing, but the amount of vegetation, the water depth and how fast the water flows varies greatly throughout the year. There is the least vegetation and the most water in spring and early summer. In many places, you will have to lift yourself past obstacles such as dam gates or stretches of flowing water. Jetties make it easier to get in and out of the river. Signs with a canoe transport symbol show the way to the next landing place. All jetties belonging to the canoe route are clearly marked.

All this together makes Tämnarån a rather adventurous river. Since the water level and vegetation varies a lot, we do not have full control of how it looks at all times of the year. You as a paddler are welcome to report to us if you think there is something that needs to be clarified or supplemented in the stage description.

Keep in mind:

• If you go out in the spring, you should have some experience of paddling. Then there can be good speed on the water. The water is also very cold and you will quickly get chilled if an accident occurs.
• Never paddle without a life jacket.
• Show consideration for plant and animal life, 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 trail there is no one to clean up, put your garbage in the bag and take it home.
• A small branch saw can be good to have with you, if nature has placed an obstacle across the river. If you see obstacles, we are grateful if you report it to us. It is also good to have a tow rope that you can attach to the canoe if you need to pull it past an obstacle.