Long Weekend Kayak & Wild Camp the Archipelago - self-guided

Day 1 Pick-up from Norrköping at 10:00

Arrive late the evening before your trip to Stockholm Skavsta Airport and we'll pick you up from any hotel/hostel near the airport! 

There are also a number of other practical ways to get here, and we can also pick you up in Norrköping, the major hub of the area.

Stockholm Arlanda (all major airlines), 2 hour direct train to Norrköping

Linköping City Airport (KLM), 30 min train to Norrköping

Copenhagen Airport (all major airlines), 3 hr 45 min high speed train to Norrköping. Good for the climate!

Bromma Airport (Brussels Airlines), 20 min airport shuttle plus 1 hr 45 min train.

Day 2 Into the maze

All your provided gear and pre-ordered groceries are waiting for you at the launch. We'll do a briefing on navigation, safety and the area, and go through a rough plan for your expedition. You'll repack your clothes into drybags and load the kayaks. Using our top-of-the-line equipment is a real treat! It can be hard to justify purchasing gear of that caliber on your own!

Our launch site is situated in a sheltered bay – soon you round the first islands and see a maze of islands spreading out in all directions. During your paddle northeast towards Aspöja you’ll pass through many clusters of forested islands and islets. A variety of different ducks, as well as swans and Grey herons breed around here, and White-tailed eagles are sighted regularly since they nest in large trees nearby.

Continue paddling through the Uggelholmarna Nature Reserve, a great spot for a break. Three hundred year-old pine and linden trees grow here, and the open forest is perfect for a short wander. Aim east towards the narrow inlet between Lammskär and Kalvskär - you'll end up surrounded by a beautiful and sheltered atoll formation of islands. Sunset views here are amazing!

Day 3 A band of islands against the horizon

Your following morning passes bird sanctuaries with lots of birdlife, if you choose you can paddle towards Äspskär. This crescent-shaped smooth islet is surrounded by shallow waters, and is superb for swimming and even snorkelling! 

Another absolutely stunning route goes through a massive cluster of hundreds of barren islets close to the open sea. This is the most finely-chiselled archipelago that exists in Sweden, and the paddle is so beautiful with the blue horizon as your backdrop. You may spot Ospreys, Great Cormorants and Arctic skuas along with many other types of birds. Grey seal sightings are frequent around Norrbådarna and Ådskär.

Continue towards one of the most famous points of interest in Saint Anna - the old navigation mark Kupa Klint. It’s a fantastic lookout with spectacular views of the archipelago spreading out below. Inside the outer band of skerries you find the large island Missjö with its parallel islands. There is a rustic pub on Missjö run by local boat taxi man and sea dog Mats. He's often there to host and tell stories and it's a very fun time indeed!

Day 4 The village that time forgot

Steer your kayak south towards the most visited island in the area – Harstena. An idyllic view of the village greets you as you paddle the narrow inlet. Harstena is famous far and wide for its picturesque and historic beauty. Learn more about the history of the village at the museum in the old school, munch on delicious cinnamon swirls from the bakery and treat yourself to a meal of delicious archipelago cuisine at the water-side restaurant.

A short paddle west takes you to Torrön and its mosaic of surrounding islets. It’s a very beautiful sheltered area with shallow waters, smooth rocks and calm creeks – great for swimming and sunbathing. Make sure to look down as you glide through the myriad of skerries to view the bladder wrack forests on the rocky bottoms.

Day 5 Land Ahoy

Your last day in this island wonderland! Enjoy a leisurely morning and jump for a final dip in the sea. Cook up a hearty breakfast in preparation for a somewhat strenuous paddle ahead. 

Head north across some pretty exposed waters until you reach the pretty narrow passage between Missjö and its inner parallel island. A quick paddle west and you reach the bustling mainland hub Tyrislöt.

Take some extra time here to visit the Archipelago Museum and stroll the nature trail. Down a couple of cold lagers among the cherry trees outside the countryside pub. A great way to end your weekend of wilderness and archipelago culture! A pad on the back is in order, you just completed an impressive kayaking expedition all by yourselves in a truly wild coastal landscape!