Härån kanotled

River Härån has a nice canoe trail that starts in Svenarum in Vaggeryd Municipality and continues down to the centre of Värnamo.

Härån offers easy and varied paddling through beautiful nature with just the right distance between lifts, fishing opportunities and rich bird life. The trail also includes some small lakes, separated by narrow straits and surrounded by open landscapes that highlight, perhaps, the most beautiful side of Småland.

Rest areas:

There are plenty of natural rest areas and campsites, but please avoid the cow pastures. There are a few prepared rest areas with firepits, but there is only one wind/rain shelter, which is in Fryele.

Härån can be paddled throughout the summer months, but perhaps the best time is in late spring when the area is at its most beautiful and there is usually plenty of water. When the water level is low, accessibility is reduced.

After about 40 km, River Härån flows into River Lagan. Having passed the last lift after the dam at Karlsfors power station, you start a 20-km winding paddle between the sometimes beautifully copper-red sandy beaches down to your final destination in Värnamo. There you can end the trail with a ‘fika’ by the water in the centre of town or a swim at Osudden swimming area at the outlet of Lake Vidöstern.

Stage 1:

Stretch: Härån, from Svenarum to the outlet in Lagan/Karlsfors

Length: 42 km

Character of the trail: 80% river paddling, 20% lake paddling

River width: 5-25 metres

Difficulty: Easy-medium difficulty (6 lifts)

Nature: Alternating forest and open landscape

Surrounding area: Sparsely populated area

Lifts: 6 lifts, 10-300 m past dams/rapids. The longer lifts are at Gustavsberg and Fryele mill

Note: Accessibility in some shallow sections is reduced when the water level is low

Stage 2:

Route: Lagan from Karlsfors to Värnamo

Length: 18 km

Character of the trail: 100% river paddling

River width: 10-50 metres

Difficulty: Easy

Nature: Forest

Surrounding area: Sparsely populated area

Lifts: One lift past Karlsfors between stages 1 and 2, steep launch

In Värnamo there are a couple of small rapids that can be paddled and several areas that are suitable for finishing: the rapids at Finnvedsvallen have a jetty and a good place to retrieve canoes and the campsite at Prostsjön has a canoe jetty, or you can continue paddling in the River Lagan down to Osudden swimming area.

Canoe rental:

Canoes can be rented at Värnamo Camping or Resort Yxenhaga in Hok. Transport of canoes can be organised by the companies.