Dalsland Canal: Bengtsfors round Greaön on Lelång

Put in at the public boat ramp at Sågudden, on the edge of Bengtsfors, and head north-west up Lelång, the long, deep forest lake that carries the Dalsland Canal towards Värmland. Follow the east shore up the channel past Sidan, then cross to Greaön, a low wooded island with sandy beaches, barbecue places and wind shelters, where it is easy to land for a break. Go round the island by its north end and its west side, then come back down the channel past the tip of the Norra Grean peninsula to the ramp.

It is 6.9 km round; allow about 1½ hours in a canoe or kayak and 2 on a paddleboard. The grade is Moderate because all of it is open lake, but you are never far from a shore and there are no locks or carries: the Bengtsfors locks lie behind the start.

You may paddle and land under the right of public access, but most of the smaller islands in Lelång are bird reserves, closed for part of the year: read the signs before landing anywhere but Greaön. Canal boats and motor boats use the main channel through the lake in summer, so keep near the edge and cross it at right angles. A long lake like this builds waves quickly in a north or south wind. Wear a buoyancy aid and check the conditions before you set off.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap waterways (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.