Ljördalen–Sälen Canoe Trip

Ljördalen–Sälen Canoe Trip

Three days on the Görälven — from the Norwegian border down to Sälen, through flowing water, deep forest and nights in tents by the riverbank.

• 65 km
• 3 days
• SEK 2 500 per canoe
• Paddling experience
• Tent camping
• Transfer included

Book now

See day-by-day

Quick facts

Distance

Duration

Difficulty

Moderate

For paddlers with some prior experience

Season

May – September

Included

Canoe, paddles, life jacket, barrels, transfer

Start

Ljördalen, Norway

Finish

Sälen, Sweden

Transfer

We drive you from Sälen to the start (~1 hr)

Group size

From 2 people

Private trip — you paddle at your own pace

Languages

Swedish, English

Who is this trip for?

A trip for paddlers who want to go further — you've been on the water before, but no expert level required.

For paddlers with prior experience

You have basic paddling technique and have been on the water before.

Comfortable outdoors

You're comfortable being out for several days and sleeping in a tent.

We get you started

Thorough briefing before departure and phone support throughout the trip.

Ljördalen–Sälen Canoe Trip — day by day

Pace and distance may vary depending on water levels and weather.

Ljördalen → upper Görälven

Departure from Sälen with transfer up to Ljördalen. After the safety briefing you put in on Görälven. The first day follows the river south at a calm pace, giving you time to settle into the canoe. Overnight by the riverbank in tents.

Through currents and forest

The day brings more lively water with recurring currents and some easier rapids. Dense forest surrounds the river and rest spots are plentiful. Tent night on a sandbank or forest clearing along the way.

Fuluälven confluence → Sälen

Görälven meets Fuluälven and becomes Västerdalälven. The final day follows a calmer stretch all the way down to Sälen, where the trip ends at our base.

The route

The stages and key points on the way from Ljördalen to Sälen.

Start: Ljördalen

Upper Görälven

Currents and easier rapids

Fuluälven confluence

Lower Västerdalälven

Finish: Sälen

Route map

Norway

Sweden

Ljördalen

Start — Norway

Day 1 — camp

Near the Swedish border

Rapids stretch

Lively moving water

Hälla Nature Reserve

Day 2 — camp

Sälen

Finish — our base

How water levels shape your trip

Görälven is a living forest river. Water levels shift through the season and affect both pace and character of the paddling.

Low water

Calmer pace, shallower stretches and occasionally short carries past rocky sections.

Normal flow

The classic experience — the river runs steadily, currents are lively but manageable.

High water

Faster pace and more power in the currents. Some sections may become more challenging and require extra attention.

We follow water levels continuously and adapt briefing and recommendations to the conditions on your departure date.

Good to know

A few things worth knowing before you set off.

• Wild camping along the river is legal under Sweden's Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten) — as long as you respect nature and keep distance from homes.
• The river has flowing water and recurring rapids.
• Some sections may need to be scouted before paddling.
• Short carries may occur at low water levels.
• Weather varies — expect sun, rain and wind.
• Water is cold early and late season.
• Mobile coverage is good along most of the route — we're reachable by phone throughout the trip.
• Safety briefing is always held before departure.

What's included

• Canoe
• Paddles
• Life jacket
• Waterproof barrels / dry bags
• Transfer Sälen ↔ Ljördalen
• Safety and paddling briefing

What to bring

Packing list for 3 days in tents along the river.

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping mat
• Camp stove and food
• Layered clothing (wool/synthetic)
• Rain gear
• Waterproof change of clothes
• Sturdy shoes or water shoes
• Personal hygiene items
• Water bottle

Frequently asked questions

Can you fish during the canoe trip?

Yes. Fishing is popular along the Görälven and many guests bring fishing equipment on the trip.

Do I need a fishing permit?

Yes. Since the route crosses both Norway and Sweden, different fishing permits are required depending on where you fish. See the "Fishing during the canoe trip" section below for purchase links.

What fish can you catch?

Common species along the route include grayling, trout, pike and perch.

How demanding is the trip and is it suitable for beginners?

Moderate. You paddle every day, sleep in tents and need basic paddling technique — no expert skills required. The trip suits paddlers with some prior experience. If it's your very first time we recommend starting with one of our day trips on Västerdalälven instead.

Are there rapids?

Yes, the route has recurring currents and some easier rapids. Nothing whitewater-grade, but you need to stay attentive.

What happens in bad weather or water conditions?

We adapt the briefing to current weather and water levels. At very low water short carries may occur; at high water the pace is faster and some sections more challenging. The trip runs in most weather — good gear makes a big difference. In extreme weather or high water we may reschedule with you. Cancellation terms are in your booking confirmation.

Do we need to be able to swim?

Yes. All adult participants should be able to swim and feel comfortable in water, since the paddling takes place in a natural river environment. Life jackets are worn throughout the trip.

How does the transfer work and how long is it?

You drive to our base in Sälen and park there free of charge. We then shuttle you by minibus up to the start in Ljördalen — about a one-hour drive. You paddle back toward your car, so no return transfer is needed.

Can we use our own packrafts/kayaks and just book transport?

Yes, we offer transfer-only for those with their own equipment. Call +46 280 218 28 or email bokning@salenkanot.se for prices and times.

How long does the trip actually take?

3 days with roughly 4–6 hours of paddling per day, depending on water levels, your pace and how long you stop. There's plenty of time to enjoy nature, swim and have snacks along the way.

Where and how do we spend the nights?

You overnight in your own tent along the river. Under Sweden's Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten) you can legally pitch a tent in nature for one or two nights in the same spot — as long as you stay clear of homes and treat the land with respect. There are plenty of natural camp spots on sandbanks and in the forest.

Is food included?

No — you bring your own food and camp stove. It gives you the freedom to eat what you like along the way.

What should I pack?

See the packing list above. Most important: tent, sleeping bag, camp stove, warm layered clothing and rain gear.

How cold is the water?

Early and late season the water can be below 12°C. In summer it's usually pleasant.

Is this a group trip or do we paddle on our own?

This is your own private trip — you paddle at your own pace and don't share a canoe or camp with other guests. Minimum group size is 2 people.

Can we bring a dog?

Yes, dogs are welcome at no extra charge. We recommend bringing your own dog life jacket, as we do not have any for rent. During transport the dog must be able to sit on your lap or in front of you in the minibus. Please note that the tour starts in Ljördalen, Norway. If you bring a dog, you are responsible for ensuring it meets the Norwegian entry requirements. For direct travel between Sweden and Norway, the dog must be ID-marked and have a valid EU pet passport. The dog must also be dewormed against Echinococcus by a veterinarian 24–120 hours (1–5 days) before entering Norway, and the treatment must be documented in the EU pet passport. Since rules can change, we always recommend checking the current entry requirements with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) before departure.

Is there a minimum age?

We recommend ages 12 and up for the multi-day trip. Children should be able to sit still in the canoe and wear a life jacket all day. Get in touch if you're unsure.

Is there mobile coverage during the trip?

Coverage is good along most of the river. We're reachable by phone throughout the trip if anything happens.

What if I'm unsure?

Get in touch by phone or email. We're happy to help assess whether the trip suits you and answer any questions.

See what the trip actually looks like

Drone footage and real clips from the tour so you know what to expect.

Filmed on the actual trip.

What guests say about Ljördalen–Sälen

Julian Friedrich

Highly recommend it — more beautiful and adventurous.

Robert Norén

Svensk naturupplevelse när det är som bäst.

Jens Tolsma

The route was amazing, and the river provided enough thrills.

Vill man uppleva nya sidor hos sig själv, så rekommenderar jag att man testar en 3-dagars tur mellan Ljördalen och Sälen. Perfekt som en team-building, kick-off eller ett sätt för kompisgänget att komma bort från vardagen. Svensk naturupplevelse när det är som bäst.

Sverige

We rented two canoes to paddle from Ljördalen to Sälen and from Sälen to Malung. We highly recommend it, especially the first part, as it is more beautiful and adventurous. Jonas from the Canoecentral was very welcoming, flexible to spontaneous time adjustments and provided us with all the necessary equipment.

Had a very nice 3 day trip with great weather! The route was amazing, and the river provided with enough thrills.

Peder

Vi var 5 personer i 3 kanoter som padlet Ljøra med utgangspunkt i Norge. Jonas hos Sälen kanot var informativ, vennlig og hjelpsom hele tiden. Tusen takk for turen.

Norge

Laura Greenman

Great experience and support for our three day canoe adventure.

Unsure if this trip suits you?

Get in touch and we'll help you assess whether Ljördalen–Sälen is the right adventure for you. We know the river and are happy to answer questions.

Call +46 280 218 28

Email us

Fishing during the canoe trip

Fishing is possible throughout the trip, but different fishing permits apply in Norway and Sweden.

Fishing on the Görälven is a popular part of the Ljördalen–Sälen canoe trip. Along the route you'll cross both Norwegian and Swedish waters, making it easy to combine canoeing and fishing in Sweden and Norway on the same tour. Common species include grayling, trout, pike and perch. Because the route passes through two countries you'll need a Ljørdalen fishing permit for the Norwegian stretch and a Görälven fishing permit for the Swedish one.

• Grayling
• Trout
• Pike
• Perch

Norway (Ljøra / Trysil)

The Norwegian stretch requires a permit for the Ljøra/Trysil area. Easiest bought online via Inatur. Popular species: grayling and trout.

Valid for the Norwegian parts of the route.

Sweden (Görälven / Transtrand)

When the river crosses back into Sweden, a separate permit is required for the Transtrand fishing area. Easiest bought online via iFiske.

Valid for the Swedish parts of the route.

Always check current fishing rules and any protected zones before you fish.

New to paddling?

If you're looking for a gentler start, our Högstrand–Sälen day tour is perfect — calm water, swimming and the freedom to paddle at your own pace.

Contact and booking

Sälens Kanotcentral, Näsholmen, 780 67 Sälen, Sverige. +46 280 218 28, bokning@salenkanot.se.