THREE CANOE ROUTES IN NORTHERN UPPLAND.
BEHIND EVERY CREEK A NEW WORLD AWAITS. A HERON LEAVING THE GROUND ON HEAVY WINGS, A CURIOUS FOX, PERHAPS AN OTTER. THE GENTLE STREAM BRINGS YOU PAST THE BURIAL GROUNDS OF THE IRON AGE, THROUGH THE DAMS OF THE MILL COMMUNITIES, OVER THE SPREAD OF WATER LILLIES IN THE MERES AND UNDER THE NOBLE ARMS OF THE DECIDOUS TREES.
These three routes present the most beautiful and the most accessible leg of each river. They are ideal for beginners or families. The surroundings are close at hand for most part of the route, and nice resting areas and shelters can be found along the way. The water levels along these routes are always adequate, with only shorter stretches slightly obstructed by water plants. These points can normally be passed without problems. All canoe routes lies under certain regulations in regards to the embankment you will have to pass. Despite this fact, the water level can vary from springtime floodings to the low waters of late summer.
REGARDING THE RIGHT OF COMMON
To be allowed to travel on waters and wander across woods and land without asking permission is a benefit which equivalence can be found in few other countries. The right of common is based on a general agreement that vegetation, animal life and people shall be respected. Bear in mind that your dog shall be held on a leash from the 1st of March until the 20th of August. During the remainder of the year you shall keep your dog under supervision to prevent it from disturbing animal life.
REGARDING FIRE
Open fire should always be limited to fire sides prepared for the purpose. These can be found along the routes. When a fire ban is announced no fire is allowed!
REGARDING BIRDS
Lakes and streams are often lined with bird nests during spring and summer. During this time you should avoid landing at these spots along the canoe route. Black-throated Diver and Ospreys are very sensitive to disruption.
Lake Vällen Photo Berndt Godin
KOLARMORAÅN
THE VÄLLEN - BYSJÖN ROUTE
The Kolarmoraån route, starting at lake Vällen, is 18 km long; a sufficient day tour down to lake Bysjön. The first part of the route passes through habited woodlands with outback features. The river and the lakes are lined with coniferous trees and spots of broad-leaved deciduous threes and grove vegetation. There are several resting areas around the lakes where you can go for a swim or go fishing. However, I you wish to fish you need a fishing permit.
Parking and launching areas can be found at Björnsundet where road 611 passes Vällen. Another launching spot is the swimming area at Måviksbadet. Shelter and toilet facilities are available at the northern beach of Aspdalssjön, a few hundred meters past the road bridge. Both arctic loon and osprey nest on the lake or in nearby vegetation, so take care when approaching the islands during early summer. Down stream Aspdalssjön there are stretches of close water vegetation, but this won’t pose any major problems. Once you have passed Bysjön the route ends and the Harboholm river joins on. If you chose to finish your paddling tour here, there is a swimming area just ahead of the bridge where you can land your canoe. A few kilometres north up Vällen you will find the delta of the Kolarmora river. If you carry on paddling approximately 200 meters up the lake you will reach an embankment which you can easily cross by carrying your canoe. Here are also two shelters, a fireside and a toilet. This beautifully located resting area is also used by wanderers of Upplandsleden.
KOLARMORAÅN - BYSJÖN–NÄRDINGEN
At this end there are a few passages which are trickier to pass. Embankments, currents and shallow waters may require some reconnoitring, carrying or wading. Once you have entered lake Närdingen you can paddle north towards the sea, which you will reach after some time and effort. If you chose to go south you will have a fairly easy paddle to the Ununge height, which is a good place to finish. Further information regarding this route can be found at the Norrtälje Tourist Information; please see back.
Tämnarån Photo Berndt Godin
TÄMNARÅN
THE TIERP-STRÖMSBERG ROUTE
This route startsin Tierp and stretches for about 8 kilometres. To reach the launching spot by the river, leave the Tierp main road by the crossing opposite the hospital and carry on for about three hundred meters down the road. Spacious parking and room for potential camping is available. This route is ideal for beginners, families and school classes. No rapid waters or falls, no shallow waters or areas obstructed by vegetation, and always plenty of water. The route at large is wide and accessible and is completed in a few hours, one way.
A few hundred meters before Strömsberg, on the east river side, there is a good landing spot if in need of a break, where it is possible to light a barbeque and to camp. Strömsberg is the end of the Tämnarån route. Keep to the left, and land at the parking lot ahead of the dam. The mill community of Strömsberg was founded between the years of 1643–45 and today hold an unique position with its near complete mill environment, including a smithy, a coalhouse, a hut, a roastery and residential houses.
TÄMNARÅN - THE COMPLETE ROUTE
A good place to start your paddling tour is at Ubblixbo or at Sjölunda, where the bird life of Tämnaren lake will not be disturbed. Between Ubblixbo and Ullfors the water levels may be low during dry summers, and some parts of the route may be difficult to get past due to water vegetation. By the (old) E4 motorway and by the energy plant there is no passing under the road!
Downstream, towards Strömsberg you will encounter some rapid waters and falls that may be difficult to pass. When reaching Östra Vad the safest and easiest option may be to use a trolley to pull your canoe past the area, in case of very high or very low water levels. If you chose to do so you pass via the country road on the east side of the river. About one and a half kilometre up the road the Västland church is located. Here you will find shelter, fresh water and toilet facilities. If you wish to end your paddling tour in the mill dam, keep to the left when you pass the roadbride, before you reach Karlholm.
Fyrisån Photo Berndt Godin
FYRISÅN
THE VATTHOLMA–UPPSALA ROUTE
Fyrisån travels south from the spring lakes of Österbybruk and the Dannemora lake through the woods of Uppland, passing the burial mounds of the iron age, the agricultural communities and the city of Uppsala to finally reach Mälaren.
The route starts downstream by the Vattholma dam. Spacious parking is available on the east side near the water gates. Follow the signs to the launching area approximately 75 meters downstream. Avoid launching by the dam - the seabed is rocky, and there are also some old iron rubble and strong currents to watch out for. Soon enough you will reach the influx from Vendelån, and the water level will rise.
During early spring the grounds between Vattholma and Storvreta often floods and thereby serves as important resting spots for ducks, gees and swans. To avoid disturbing the bird life you can launch your canoe near the bridge by the northern approach to Storvreta, parking by the school. Eventually you will reach the Ekeby dam. Decent landing spots can be found on the west side of the embankment, where several launching places are also available depending on the water bearings. In late summer heavy vegetation may cause some problems downstream.
By Ensta, the paved neck of the fall initiates a shorter stretch of the river. With good water bearings an experienced paddler should have no problems passing. Alternatively, there is a landing spot on the west riverbank, as well as handy transportation for about fifty meters down towards the shelter where safe launching can be made. The eastern beach should be avoided as the grounds are not ideal, and the beach also borders private land. By the Ulva mill you can land by the pontoon to the right of the dam (please note: this is not the pontoon belonging to the house) and launch below the millhouse. Downstream there is an embankment which may be difficult to pass during low water levels. Regardless of the water level you are better to pull your canoe past this spot, along the side of the embankment. Spacious parking facilities and launching areas are available here, especially if you are set to paddle north.
FYRISÅN - THE COMPLETE ROUTE
Dannemorasjön is a good place to start your paddling tour. Lilla Ralby situates parking facilities and a bus stop near the launching spot. For the first mile travelling south you will pass high reeds, but still experience some wilderness. A shelter can be found north of Skyttorp. An alternative starting point is by the Skyttorp bridge, where there is a small parking lot. When water levels are high the current may be strong through Vattholma, and you are best to land by the road bridge just north of town. The route ends at Fyrishov in Uppsala. Paddling through Uppsala is not recommended!
ACCOUNTABLE FOUNDERS OF THE CANOE ROUTES, AND RESPONISBLES FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THESE:
Upplandsstiftelsen
Telephone 018-611 62 71
Website www.upplandsstiftelsen.se
Information can also be found at Uppsala Turistbyrå/Uppsala Tourist Information
Fyristorg 8, 753 10 Uppsala
Telephone 018-27 48 00 www.uppland.nu
ROUTE TÄMNARÅN
Tierp – Strömsberg:
Maintenance and information:
Tierps kommun, Kultur & fritid
Telephone 0293-18 000
Maps: Terrängkartan
Söderfors 12HNO
ROUTE FYRISÅN
Vattholma – Uppsala
Maintenance and information:
Uppsala kommun
Maps: Östhammar 12ISV
Uppsala 11INV
ROUTE KOLARMORAÅN
Maintenance and information: Uppsala kommun
Norrtälje kommun, Turistbyrån/ Uppsala council, Norrtälje council, Tourist information
Telephone 01767-719 90 www.norrtalje.se
Maps: Terrängkartan
Östhammar 12ISO, Grisslehamn SV
CANOE RENTAL
Friluftsfrämjandet in Uppsala
Sunnerstastugan
Telephone 018-727 60 86 alt.
018-32 06 01
Fyrishov stugby
Telephone 018-727 49 60
www.fyrishov.se
Kanotcenter in Östhammar
742 21 Östhammar
Telephone 0173-216 92
www.kanotcenter.se