Tösse Archipelago
For beginners
Tösse archipelago is the largest Vänern archipelago in Dalsland with its approximately 30 islands and skerries. The nature is unexploited and the archipelago landscape is beautiful. Here there are bare coves to meander around and forested islands to visit. On the island Storön there is a beautiful, old croft that tells of the hard life in the archipelago in the past. There are also many ancient remains that tell of times gone by, including the remains of two ancient castles and many Bronze Age graves.
The birdlife on the islands is rich. Herons and ospreys are often seen foraging, and in the bays there are mallards, grebes, great black-backed gulls and great black-backed terns. If you are lucky, you may see the lark chasing dragonflies over the reeds at dusk. Out on the skerries there are colonies of whitebirds with grey herons and gulls. Great horned owls and terns also nest in the area.
The entire archipelago is a nature reserve. You can read more about Tösse archipelago here…
The paddle tour starts from the idyllic Rolfskärr cottage village directly on the shore of Lake Vänern, a little south of Tösse harbour. Together we carry the kayaks a few metres down to the beach and get to know the kayak, paddle and other equipment. We go through simple paddling techniques and test paddle for a while on the beach until everyone feels confident to set off. Then we paddle at a leisurely pace through the archipelago. The route is determined by wind and weather, but there is always much to discover and a magical landscape that offers beautiful views. We make a beach break and enjoy a simple but delicious homemade coffee. If you want to take a dip, just jump in.
Should the weather be very difficult, we can go up the Tydjeån River, which offers lush greenery and winding paddling.
The tour itself takes about 2.5 hours including coffee, the introduction about 1 hour.
The tour includes guide, kayak, life jacket and all other paddling equipment, homemade buns and drinks (coffee/tea/juice).
What to bring: comfortable clothes, change of clothes, swimwear, rain jacket, light shoes, sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen and a water bottle.
The tour is aimed at adults (> 15 years) and all kayaks are one-man kayaks. All participants must be able to swim and be able to swim 200m. Group size max 6 participants.
The guide is well trained and experienced in paddling and rescue techniques as well as first aid and always has safety equipment and first aid with her.
Via the link above you will be redirected to Rolfskärr holiday village’s booking page for booking and payment.
