Paddling i Bergviken

Paddling in a classic Hälsingland environment, blue mountains and floating memories

Bergviken is an old bay, which is now a large lake (15 x 15 km), surrounded by high mountains and is part of the Ljusnan river. Here you paddle straight into exciting history; the Iron Age, rafting, paper industry, pastures. Today there is still a living agriculture around the lake. After paddling, visit the Bergvik Industrial Museum.

The paddling is easy and pleasant, there is a lot to look at and many bathing places to rest at. But when the wind blows, Bergviken reacts like all other large lakes surrounded by mountains, with very strong and crabby water. The waves are full speed ahead, inviting fun surfing. If you think it's too much, you're sure to find a sheltered resting place.

Ljusnan is a regulated river. There are power stations in both Segersta and Bergvik, but the lake is in no way a reservoir.

Bergviken is just as suitable for a short trip of a few hours, as an overnight trip. Since there is accommodation for rent in both Lynäs and Segersta, you can actually use Bergviken as your paddling lake for an entire vacation.

Starting points/launches

If you are coming from Söderhamn, you can start at the boat harbor at the old factory in Vannsätter, or at the boat harbor on the south side (Lynäs side).If you are coming from the south, you launch in Skog; Skogsands badplats or Fagersand. At all these places there are parking facilities.

**The short trip

If you launch your kayak in Vannsätter. Paddle west, follow the shoreline. After three kilometers you will come to a bathing place. Swim and then paddle over to the south side and follow the beach east. Here you will paddle past meadows, mountains and pastures. Horses, sheep and cows watch over your journey. If you're in the mood for another swim, you'll find a nice sandy beach at Hovnäsudden. From here you can paddle across the lake and land at the boat harbor. If you want to end the trip with a pizza, you will find a pizzeria at the southern end of the bridge. At the northern end of the bridge is the museum in Bergvik.

Day trip/overnight trip:

Launch in Vannsätter. Start paddling as above. When you pass the bathing area at Fallberget, continue west, round Norhällsudden and wind your way between Storön and Överängesberget. Here you will see a lot of birds of prey soaring between the mountains. Now Gäversta opens up, an old beautiful agricultural area with opportunities for beachcombing, at beaches and jetties.

Now you are also clearly inside the river, Ljusnan, which here can be rough (depending on the water level). Feel free to paddle upstream to Segersta and under the two bridges that have now become world famous through the American filming of the Millennium films. But turn back after the bridges... because now you are quite close to Landafors power station. Now you paddle on the south side of the river and probably stop at Mårdnäs if you are interested in Iron Age finds (information boards are available). Now you are also at Kungsholmen, the famous restaurant and conference center run by Billan and Erik Östlund, www.kungsholmen.net

If you haven't booked a place today, you will instead round Mårdnäsudden and arrive at a lovely sandy beach, with barbecue areas and toilets. If you're on a day trip, you'll probably have your dinner here on the beach and then paddle back, this time (winds permitting) on the south side of Storön, and into Smalsjön and back to the boat harbor.

If you are on an overnight trip, this beautiful place will probably be your overnight camp. If so ... wake up the next morning and get ready to continue paddling south towards Hanebo and Kilafors. In the bay that goes towards Hanebo, you see the church. There are also burial grounds from the Iron Age and fine bird locations. When you sit in the kayak and look north, you can see the high Hårgaberget mountain in the distance, where the devil himself plays up to dance.

But avoid that hambone, paddle towards Kilafors instead. Here you can stretch your legs before continuing east, paddling past Norrlandsporten, past steamboat piers and turning south at Hamnäsudden, which has a special hardwood vegetation (hazel).

Now you have a stretch of five kilometers that ends in Skog, where you may step out to view the medieval church ruins. If you run out of provisions, you can take a walk to the shop in Stråtjära. Then paddle north. Now you follow the eastern side of the lake and you will soon reach Fagersand, which is a nice swimming spot.

In your continued paddling you have the mighty Trollberget and Gullberg on your right and when you pass Långnäsudden you enter Lynäsviken. At the far end of the bay you will find the Mission Church's summer farm, with a summer café and overnight accommodation (and extensive program activities). Lynäs sommarhem can be one of the accommodation options where you stay for a longer period in Bergviken.

If you don't stay there, you follow the northern side of the bay, eventually rounding Västernäset, which takes you back into Smalsjön, and over there you'll see Vannsätter's boat harbor, where you left your car yesterday, or a couple of days ago.

Tour overview

Type of paddling: Exercise kayaking or sea kayaking

Paddling experience: Beginner-experienced

Trip length: Approximately 7-45 km (depending on day trip or overnight trip)

Attractions: History, cultural sites, nature

Suggested accommodation: Kullerbacka Gästhus (Gäversta), Kungsholmen (Segersta), Lynäs sommarhem (Lynäs)