Usually we stick to two-wheeled adventures at Farawayistan. But, for this occasion we switched from pedaling our gravel bikes to paddling a canoe —something we’d been meaning to try for a while.

And while we still think that Sweden needs a bit of an introduction as a cycling destination, you could probably picture yourself rowing your canoe across pristine lakes with millions of spruce trees around them. After all, Sweden has over 100,000 lakes! We, however, opted for a trip along a meandering river through the stunning landscapes of Southern Sweden.

Kanotcentralen i Stockamöllan

Sabina discovered Kanotcentralen (The Canoe Center) in Stockamöllan through Visit Skåne’s Instagram account, and it caught our attention. It became the starting point for our two-day canoeing adventure in Southern Sweden. Renting a two-person canoe, we paddled nearly 35 kilometers along the stunning Rönne River over the span of a weekend.

The Rönne River is known for its tranquil waters, peppered with gentle rapids, making it a perfect mix of relaxation and a bit of excitement. Along the route, we passed a couple of wind shelters ideal for breaks or overnight stays. Thanks to Sweden’s Allemansrätten (Right of Public Access), we had the freedom to wild camp, immersing ourselves in nature at its finest.

As we paddled downstream, the scenery constantly shifted between lush forests, open fields, and the soothing soundtrack of local wildlife. Moreover, the practical stuff was already handled by Kanotcentralen: life vests, a waterproof jerry can with drinking water, and a detailed map marking points of interest along the Rönne River canoe route.

Logistics

One of the best parts of this canoe trip in Southern Sweden is how easy it is to organize, even as an A-to-B route. The adventure begins in Stockamöllan, a tiny village that’s easily accessible by public transport. Simply take a train to Stehag and switch to a bus heading to Stockamöllan. From there, it’s just a short walk to Kanotcentralen, where your Sweden canoeing journey begins.

Our finishing point was a campsite near Herrevadskloster, a peaceful location surrounded by nature. When it’s time to head back to civilization, a bus connection is available within walking distance of the campsite, making your return journey hassle-free. And what about the canoe? No need to worry—you can just leave it at the designated drop-off point at the finish. The rental company will take care of transporting it back to Stockamöllan.

Day 1

After collecting the canoe, we were off to an uneasy start. But after just a few minutes, we got the hang of the simultaneous paddle movement—without going too much in circles. Okay, the current did help. It didn’t take long before we encountered the first wildlife: curious cows were observing us.

Along the way, there were a few points where we had to lift the canoe overland. Nothing really to worry about. After the hike-a-canoe sections, we won some time back thanks to the rapids. Don’t expect racing and swirling rivers, but just the right amount of flow to build some speed—and get your excitement level up.

The windshelter at the halfway point was already occupied when we arrived. Luckily, we came prepared and brought our own camping gear: pillow, sleeping bag, and hammock. Finding a flat piece of land—and a low shore to get out of the canoe—wasn’t super easy. Fortunately, there were plenty of trees to set up a hammock. After a typical camping meal of freeze-dried curry tikka masala and a mandatory campfire, it was bedtime.

By the end of day 1, we had covered roughly 16 kilometers in 4.5 hours of moving time.

Day 2

We woke up from the terrifying sound of crane birds’ morning song, which was balanced out by a pleasant ray of morning sun warming us in our hammocks. Cows were observing us from the opposite side of the river as we ate our breakfast and broke up our camp. When we hit the water again the weather gave us a little drizzle, but it was so light and warm that rain jackets weren’t needed.

The scenery on the second day consisted of more open sections, and we even had to deal with a bit of headwind. And just like when you’re cycling: headwind makes moving forward harder! At one of the rapids, we got stuck on some rocks, much to the amusement of Robin.

The landscape, once again, was stunning—lush, green, with plenty of reed and aquatic plants. With just a touch more cultivation, we couldn’t help but dream aloud about living in one of the rustic countryside houses along the way. We had worked up quite an appetite and as if it was on que passed a charming bakery near the end. Coffee and waffles always taste great, but unexpected ones taste even better! On the last stretch we met some fellow canoeers.

The last push of Day 2 wrapped up with us covering a total of 16.5 kilometers in 5 hours of moving time.

Beyond the saddle

Swapping our gravel bikes for paddles turned out to be a pretty great call. Slowing down and floating along the scenic Rönne River gave us a whole new way to experience the outdoors. This little canoe trip along the Rönne reminded us there’s a whole world beyond our gravel bikes. Don’t be surprised if you find us chasing more adventures off the saddle soon—but don’t worry, we’ll still be sticking to our bikes too

Follow all our adventures on Instagram and make sure to explore the related posts for more information!