Glaskogen Canoe Expedition 2026

Dates: 26/06/2026 – 02/07/2026, Cost: £540pp Excluding Flights / Hotel

https://youtu.be/K5HesFjOKkQ

Introduction

In July 2026 we’ll be setting out on a week-long adventure into Glaskogen Nature Reserve in

western Sweden. Covering 28,000 hectares of forest, lakes, and winding waterways, Glaskogen is

one of Scandinavia’s true wilderness gems. With more than 80 lakes to explore, the reserve oﬀers

the perfect setting for canoeing, wild camping, fishing, and reconnecting with nature.

Expect peaceful paddles across glassy waters, evenings by the fire, and nights under the stars.

Wildlife is plentiful – from moose and beavers along the shoreline, to the haunting calls of loons

echoing across the lakes.

On rare nights, you may even hear wolves in the distance.

This trip is about more than just paddling. It’s a chance to step away from everyday life, to cook

together outdoors, swim in clear water, maybe even try a brave skinny dip, and experience the

Swedish tradition of living simply in nature.

If you’re interested in taking part then please fill in this form

Itinerary

Day 1 – Transport to Stansted.

– Flight RK1394 departs 06:10 Stansted → Oslo.

Transfer Oslo → Glaskogen Info Centre with supermarket stop for food, gas or meths.
Book in, collect equipment and head to 1st Camp.

Days 2–5 – Five-day canoe expedition across Glaskogen.

– Paddle lakes, camp at Dano huts, cook over fires.

– Fishing optional (permit required).

– Swimming, exploring, and enjoying wilderness life.

Day 6- Return canoes and gear.

– Transfer back to Oslo.

– Overnight stay at airport hotel (around £50pp, twin/double share at the Radisson Blu, Oslo Airport).

Day 7- Flight back to Stansted

Flight RK1395 departs Oslo 09:40 → London, transport back to depot

Price Includes

Transfer Depot – Stansted – Depot

Transfer Oslo–Glaskogen–Oslo

Canoe hire (6 days)

Camping card (5 days)

Bag Drop

Insurance

£550pp

Personal Costs

Flights

Food

Waterproof barrel hire

Fishing Permit

Hotel (final night): around £50pp – based on two people sharing. (twin/double)

You will also need to either bring packet meals or purchase food for the week en-route from the Airport.

Camping in Glaskogen

Glaskogen offers a mix of wild camping and simple facilities at Dano huts. These wooden wind

shelters are raised off the ground and sit in beautiful lakeside spots, with a fire pit in front for

cooking. Each site has:

– Firewood (fires must be made only at designated spots)

– Long-drop toilet

– Space for a few tents (varies per hut)

As huts can be occupied, a flexible option is hammock camping, which avoids the problem of

uneven or rocky ground. A full hammock setup (hammock, tarp, straps, bug net) can cost around

£150 – not essential, but recommended. I have arranged a 10% discount on a hammock camping bundle from DD Hammocks.

Allemansrätten

Sweden’s Allemansrätten (Right to Roam) allows camping freely in nature, but within Glaskogen fires are restricted to Dano hut fire pits only, so you can camp wherever you want (even on your own island) but fires need to be a designated fireplaces / campsites. Glaskogen is popular and there will be many people canoeing or hiking to these huts.

The Route

Our canoe journey will take us across a network of lakes. Depending on the route chosen, we may

need to portage (move canoes overland).

– Portaging means attaching wheels to the canoe and pulling/pushing it along a forest path or gravel road to the next lake.

– If we stick to Stora Gla, portaging is minimal – just from the Info Centre to the lake and back.

– Other routes involve multiple portages, some easy, others rough and uphill.

Possible Routes

1. Stora Gla Circuit (Easier)

– Explore Sweden’s largest lake in the reserve.

– Only two short portages required.

– More relaxed trip, focused on paddling and camps.

2. Mixed Lakes Route (Challenging)

– Cross multiple lakes with varied scenery.

– Several portages, some rough.

– Feels more like a full expedition.

Kit Recommendations

Sleeping

Hammock setup (recommended) OR lightweight tent, 10% discount code available for DD Hammocks.
3-season sleeping bag & mat

Clothing

– Quick-dry clothing, waterproofs, warm layers

– Paddling shoes and dry camp shoes

Cooking & Food– Small stove + cookware

– Food from supermarket stop. Freeze Dried Meals, The Real Turmat are the best, more expensive but you get what you pay for

– Water bottles & filter (a decent filter like a Lifesaver is recommended to remove the peat after-taste, 10% discount code: vildmark10 these can be shared).

Fishing (Optional)

– Permit required (£11/day)

– Travel rod and small tackle kit

Personal Kit

– Toiletries, insect repellent, suncream, power bank, First Aid kit.

– Pack or barrel (hire available locally)

Provided

– Canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids

– Firewood at Dano huts

Tip: Pack light – space in canoes is limited.

Pre-Trip Planning

For those of you who have never paddled a canoe before – don’t worry. Canoeing is straight forward

to learn, and you’ll quickly get the hang of it. A canoe is stable and designed to carry two paddlers

plus their gear. The person in the front sets the pace, while the person in the back controls direction with steering strokes. Teamwork is key – paddle in rhythm, and you’ll glide along smoothly.

To get everyone comfortable before the trip, we’ll organise a couple of practice days on the river here in the UK (price TBC). These sessions will cover the basics: –

Paddling technique, ingress / egress & positioning.
Steering and stopping
Loading and balancing a canoe
Safety and teamwork on the water.

Canoeing Teams & Practice Days

Canoeing on this trip will be done in pairs. Each canoe carries two people plus their shared kit. You’ll need to make sure you’ve agreed your paddling partner before the scheduled practice sessions.

Attendance at the practice days is mandatory. These sessions are designed to give everyone the skills and confidence needed for the expedition.

If you have no prior paddling experience and do not attend the practice days, unfortunately you will not be able to join the trip. This is to ensure safety on the water and that everyone can enjoy the experience.

What You’ll Get Out of the Trip

Adventure – Five days in the Swedish wilderness, paddling across mirror-flat lakes one minute and hauling your canoe across a gravel track the next. It’s not a holiday brochure – it’s the real deal.
Skills – You’ll pick up canoeing, campcraft, fire-lighting, and outdoor cooking along the way. By the end, you’ll be able to rustle up a half-decent brew on a smoky fire and look like you meant to do it.
Wildlife – Moose lumbering through the forest, beavers busy on the shoreline (and yes, there really is nothing quite like spotting a wet beaver), loons calling across the lakes, and if we’re lucky, the distant howl of wolves.
Relaxation – Proper time away from work emails, phone notifications, and the general nonsense of everyday life. Out here the only schedule is sunrise, sunset, and when you fancy a swim.
Swimming – A bracing dip in cold Scandinavian water. Equal parts terrifying and invigorating, but you’ll come out feeling more alive than you ever did stepping out of a shower.
Memories – The kind that stick: evenings around a fire, laughing at someone’s half-burnt sausage, swapping stories under the stars, and the sort of shared moments you’ll be talking about for years afterwards.

Please remember, this is Sweden, there’s over 365 lakes in this region and the water doesn’t come from nowhere, it comes from the sky. Although the weather can be amazing this time of the year it can also rain like crazy. The wind can blow up on some of the bigger lakes making the route impossible to paddle so route maybe changed last minute or we would have to wait until wind dies down or walk back (if theres a time constraint).

See a taste of Glaskogen from a previous packrafting trip here:

Requirements & Booking

To make sure the trip runs smoothly (and safely), there are a few non-negotiables:

Practice Sessions – Attendance at the pre-trip practice days is mandatory. These sessions will cover paddling technique, steering, and safety. If you have no prior canoeing experience and don’t attend, you unfortunately won’t be able to join the trip.
Canoe Teams – Canoes are for two people. You’ll need to sort out your paddling partner before the practice sessions so you can train together.
Fitness – You don’t need to be an athlete, but you do need enough basic fitness to paddle for a few hours a day and help carry/portage the canoe when required.
Camping Experience – If you’ve never camped before, you’ll need to make sure you know how to pitch your tent or hammock before the event. Practice setting it up in the garden or a local park so it’s second nature by the time we’re in Sweden.
Hammock Camping – II’d recommend Hammock camping over camping, but if you want to ground camp, thats fine. If you’d like to try hammock camping, just ask and I’ll give you some information. I’d recommend a hammock with a mosquito net (see links below). Have a look at this video I made a couple of years back:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzs8yDKxXvc
You’ll see how versatile a hammock is – they’re easy to pitch, surprisingly comfy, and not that heavy.
Equipment – You’re expected to bring your own personal kit (tent or hammock, sleeping bag, clothing, etc). A recommended kit list will be provided.
Swimming – No non-swimmers – this trip isn’t suitable if you cannot swimBooking & Payment
Spaces are limited – if you’re interested in taking part, let me know as soon as possible to secure your spot.
A non-refundable deposit of £100 is required to confirm your place. This can be paid via PayPal (friends & family) or BACS.
The outstanding balance must be paid by 30th April 2026.
Flights are not included in the trip cost. Once dates are finalised, you’ll need to book onto the specific flights listed in the itinerary. It will be a RyanAir flight so select 20kg hold luggage.
Please note: the itinerary is not set in stone and there may be a small price increase depending on exchange rates or equipment costs.

Safety & Essentials

Disclaimer
This expedition takes place in remote wilderness. All participants assume personal responsibility for their safety and equipment. The organiser (Martin Grove) cannot be held liable for injury, loss, or delays caused by weather, wildlife, or accidents. You will need to sign a disclaimer prior to attending this trip.
Travel Insurance
All participants must have valid travel insurance covering canoeing, wild camping, rescue, evacuation, and medical expenses. Please ensure your policy is arranged before departure

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior canoeing experience?

Yes, if you have no canoeing experience, you will need to attend the practice sessions prior to the trip.

What gear do I need to bring?

Personal clothing suitable for Scandinavian weather (layers are your friend).
Tent / Hammock setup
Sleeping bag and mat
Cooking utensils
Bowl / Plate
Waterproofs.
Paddling / walking shoes & evening shoes
Powerbank
Food for the duration
Stove
Water filter
Towel
Toiletries
A sense of humour (mandatory).

Canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids, will be provided.

A full kit list will be sent out well before the trip.

What about food?

We will stop of at a retail park en-route from Oslo airport where you can buy all the food you require, remember whatever you buy you will have to carry in your canoe if we portage. Its safe to buy fresh meats for the first couple of days. The information centre has a few items in the shop but you are best to get your supplies from the retail park. Here you can also buy other items like gas / meths and other outdoor items.

Can I fish?

Yes, but you’ll need a fishing licence (fiskekort). These can be bought at the info centre. Bring your own rod if you fancy catching dinner and yes it is completely normal to catch and eat freshwater fish here.

How fit do I need to be?

You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be able to paddle for a few hours a day and help with carrying kit during portages. Think more “steady stroll with a rucksack” than “marathon training.”

Will I need hiking poles?

No, you’ll need your hands to portage your canoes.

What’s the camping like?

We’ll be wild camping on the lakeshores or small islands. Expect tents, campfires, and a proper Scandinavian outdoor experience. Wood store, wind hut, fire pit and long drop toilets at each designated campsite, there is a shower block at the info centre.

Will there be midges or mosquitoes?

Yes. Pack repellent. The Scandinavian mosquito doesn’t care that you’re British, Swedish, or Canadian – they love everyone equally.

What happens if the weather’s bad?

In a nut shell, you’ll get wet! It’s Sweden. It could be blazing sun one moment and pouring rain the next. We’ll adapt plans to suit conditions, and waterproofs are a must.

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance included in price

Can I bring alcohol?

A couple of beers or a small hip flask for camp is fine. Just don’t try to paddle half-cut – it won’t end well.

Will there be phone signal?

There is good coverage pretty much all over Glaskogen.

What happens at the end?

We will paddle back to the info centre, hand back canoes and gear, time for shower / souvenirs in the info centre, pick up bags, transfer back to Oslo airport and check into hotel 5 minutes walk from check in (hotel needs to be booked personally)

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If you’ve got any question then please email me: martin@vildmark.co.uk or call / WhatsApp 07801938288