Join the Woodland Ways team as we venture back to the wild heart of Sweden for an immersive, 10-day canoeing and camp craft expedition, bringing to life for you the traditional skills required to both traverse, and live within, this boreal & lake system.
This journey will take you deep into the Swedish wilderness, far from the distractions of city life, allowing you to experience the tranquillity and wonder of nature in its purest form. With no major towns nearby, the skies above will provide breathtaking views of the stars, virtually free of light pollution, offering a perfect opportunity to learn about constellations and their use in navigation. But this trip is far more than just a canoeing expedition—it is a chance to hone your wilderness skills, learn traditional crafts, and gain confidence in your ability to thrive in the wild.
Course Registration
When you book a place on this course you will receive a confirmation email containing a link to our registration form so you can complete your details. We must be in receipt of these details as soon as possible after you have booked your place. You will need an order no. to complete the form.
Join the Woodland Ways team as we venture back to the wild heart of Sweden for an immersive, 10-day canoeing and camp craft expedition, bringing to life for you the traditional skills required to both traverse, and live within, this boreal & lake system.
This journey will take you deep into the Swedish wilderness, far from the distractions of city life, allowing you to experience the tranquillity and wonder of nature in its purest form. With no major towns nearby, the skies above will provide breathtaking views of the stars, virtually free of light pollution, offering a perfect opportunity to learn about constellations and their use in navigation. But this trip is far more than just a canoeing expedition—it is a chance to hone your wilderness skills, learn traditional crafts, and gain confidence in your ability to thrive in the wild.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by our instructors, who will accompany you on the journey to the outfitter’s location. We will stop at a local supermarket en-route to pick up any last-minute supplies, before gathering for a communal dinner in the evening at the lake side get on, within the Malingsbo-Kloten Nature Reserve. This will be a time to discuss the finer details of the course, share our insights into safety and efficiency of movement in this terrain, final gear checks and share tips on how to pack for
the days ahead.
This stunning natural area, with its dense forests, rolling hills, and countless lakes, will be ours to explore over the coming days. Before launching our canoes, our experienced instructors will guide you through safety protocols and teach you the essential skills for handling an open canoe.
These iconic wilderness craft will be your key to exploring Europe’s closest true wilderness.
Canoeing in such a remote and pristine environment offers both adventure and serenity. As you glide through the still waters, you’ll have the opportunity to spot wildlife, practice your paddle strokes, and truly connect with the natural surroundings. We will also take the time to teach you
the fundamentals of water navigation, helping you build confidence in your ability to handle open water. From basic paddling techniques to reading water conditions, you’ll gain the skills needed to make canoeing an enjoyable and safe experience.
But this trip is about more than just canoeing. It’s about fully embracing your Bushcraft skills. You will learn to source and purify all of your drinking water. Fire-making is a critical skill, and you’ll become proficient in lighting and maintaining campfires for cooking, warmth, and drying clothes or equipment- utilising a range of different options. We’ll teach you how to select appropriate locations for wilderness camps, build temporary camps, and adapt to the ever-changing conditions of the wild. Each night, as the fire crackles and the stars begin to appear, you’ll feel a deep sense of connection to the land.
One of the highlights of the trip will be a dawn paddle, where we’ll rise before the sun and silently canoe across the calm waters to witness the breathtaking beauty of sunrise.
Through the expedition we begin with a solid foundation of survival skills, we then build with a strong emphasis on traditional craftwork, using the natural materials found around us. We will teach you the skills of spoon or kuksa carving. Carving your own utensils from wood is both a practical skill and hones your knife skills. We’ll provide expert guidance in the use, care, and maintenance of axes and carving knives, helping you become proficient in working with wood.
As your knowledge progresses we will also delve into the art of making birch bark containers. Birch bark has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples for its versatility and durability. You’ll learn how to select and harvest bark, then shape it into containers that are both functional and beautiful. In the process, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the natural resources around you and how they can be used sustainably. Spruce and pine roots, which are abundant in the area, will be harvested and prepared for use as natural cordage—ideal for binding materials and creating strong, flexible ties. Understanding cordage from roots and withies is a critical wilderness skill, and you’ll have the chance to apply it to a variety of projects.
Another important craft you’ll explore is net making. Although we are unable to use nets within the lakes of the nature reserve, we will teach you how to sew your own gill net—a highly effective fishing technique used for centuries. You’ll use hand-carved tools to create the net, learning not only the skill itself but also the patience and precision required for such a task. Fishing licenses are secured for every participant, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to try your hand at fishing throughout the trip should you wish, whether from the shore or while canoeing.
As you become more in tune with your surroundings we will bring to life the foraging opportunities available to you at this time of year. From berries to edible plants, you’ll learn how to safely identify, harvest, and prepare natural food sources. This skill will deepen your understanding of the environment and provide a sustainable way to supplement your meals during the trip.
In addition to these traditional crafts, you’ll also learn how to produce birch oil and pine resin glue. These natural adhesives have been used for millennia in tool-making and repairs, and you’ll discover how to create them using the resources around you. Birch oil, for instance, can be distilled from birch bark and has numerous practical applications, including waterproofing and preserving wood. Pine resin glue, made by combining resin with charcoal or other materials, is incredibly strong and useful for making repairs in the field.
One of the most rewarding experiences of the trip for most people is making your own fixed-blade knife or crook knife. Using old files, you’ll shape, sharpen, and refine your knife, transforming it into a tool that you can rely on. You will also produce a steel flint striker. There is something deeply satisfying about creating your own tool from scratch, especially in a remote wilderness setting. You’ll also have the opportunity to craft an awl for your bark work, and we’ll teach you how to make an improvised vice for holding these metalworking projects.
As we travel through the reserve, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the specialist wildlife. The area is home to beavers, moose, wolf, and a wide range of bird species. We’ll teach you basic tracking skills and how to set a wildlife camera on a trail to capture footage of the animals as they move through the forest. Even if you don’t see them in person, reviewing the footage will give you a unique insight into the lives of these remarkable creatures.
Midway through the trip, we’ll establish a fixed camp, which will serve as our base for more in-depth training in the crafts and skills mentioned above. This break from traveling allows us to focus on honing your abilities and giving you the confidence to take these skills with you on your own future expeditions. Whether you are a seasoned outdoorsperson or new to wilderness living, you will leave this course with a deep sense of accomplishment and the knowledge needed to thrive in the wild.
You can get as involved or not in the crafts as you wish. (Obviously everyone has to paddle, that’s why we’re here!). There is plenty of time should you not wish to take part in the activities to take your own time, do your own thing, and immerse in your way into the environment. With safety in mind at all times, our instructors are incredibly experienced at facilitating wilderness expeditions to suit the individual as well as the group.
As the course comes to an end, and we leave the quiet beauty of the wilderness, the camaraderie of shared meals around the fire, and the satisfaction of mastering new skills will remain with you for the rest of your life. This expedition will not only teach you practical survival techniques but also foster a deeper connection to the natural world, inspiring you to seek out new adventures in the future. Whether your goal is to explore remote landscapes, gain confidence in your bushcraft abilities, or simply reconnect with nature, this journey through the Swedish wilderness will leave you with memories and skills that last a lifetime.
This is our original Swedish canoe expedition that has inspired many a traveller and instructor. Since its conception it has been imitated many times by others, but no other company can quite match it, both in depth of skill, duration and price. But don’t just take our word for it, check out the google reviews which are all independently laid down and not preselected by us, however… if you really do want a pre selected review then check out what one of last years customers had to say…
“I have just returned from amazing 10 day trip to Sweden. Canoeing and camping in hammocks in the beautiful Kloten National Park. What an amazing experience. The course description and current photos do not really show how good this trip is. You get to paddle in beautiful Swedish lakes and sleep under the amazing night sky in forests of Birch, Pine and other beautiful trees. The floor is carpeted with amazing mosses and lichens. The flora and fauna all around you is really fantastic and when you sit and look around it's intense. You get opportunity to be in this amazing landscape and environment and to smell, hear and experience it is hard to describe. listening to the sound of "loons" at night from the solitude of a hammock whilst looking up through the most beautiful canopy of trees above you to the stars so bright is priceless. Being able to make a knife in the woods and being able to participate in the forging and tempering process was unbelievable. A 4am paddle by moonlight and seeing the sunrise from the canoe was awesome. .....There was also so much more. The instructors Patrick and Ian were excellent. Very passionate and full of knowledge and able to instruct and guide the group of very special people that took part in the trip. Both instructors were very different, but able to interact and teach and train in a way that encouraged the development of the group and enriched the trip. I would also say thank you to how diligent the instructors were and attentive to the people that took part on the trip. It was clear they wanted people to get the most out of the expedition but the safety and wellbeing of the individuals was always at the for front of their care and instruction. Thank you. The trip was amazing. However it was hard at times as although a beautiful environment, it could be harsh and you are in an environment that needs respect. I was mentally and physically exhausted at times. This was not in a bad way, it was partly down to my fitness and your days being full with living in this environment. You get plenty of down time and able to enjoy and relax in Sweden but for me, I could have been bit fitter. That said the tiredness and what it took out of you was all part of the experience. The food was also excellent. Had some really good dinners and breakfasts. Including best eggs ever had! You go to supermarket before you start trip and get your supplies for the trip. Although I had no idea how much things cost or half of what the things were. That said got lots of delicious saucicon and breads. Highly reccomend the panchetta! (We sliced this thickly like belly pork and cooked it on fire!) A fantastic, highly rewarding and enriching experience. Would highly recommended trip and Woodland Ways. Thank you.”- Paul
Please note flights are not included in this trip, we will make a flight recommendation to you around three months before the trip commences and all you need to do is arrive at the airport either on this flight or any flight before this.
