Skärså, Prästgrundet, Klacksörarna, Vatstenarna, Jungfrukusten

A multi-day kayak tour.

We are now in Söderhamn's northern archipelago and start in Skärså, which is a genuine fishing village, unspoiled and well preserved. In the renowned Albertina restaurant you can enjoy the delights of the Bothnian Sea. Skärså also has a smokehouse, café, kiosk and various craftsmen. Yes, Skärså is a nice destination in itself. But we are on our way to paddle!

You put in the kayak at the kayak dock. Drive into Skärså. When the road splits keep to the left. Drive up to Skärså Samlingslokal, from there it is signposted with a canoe symbol to parking intended for paddlers. Now you have several days of adventure ahead of you, and the first thing we will do is to arrange accommodation, a base camp for the week's tours.

If you're a camper, you'll paddle about two kilometers east, across the open sea and land on Vatstenarna. On the southern part of the island you will find nice tent sites, a small sandy beach and a fire pit. Could it get any better? Here you have your base camp.

You'll probably make the first trip to Vitgrund, which is connected to Vatstenarna. Here you will find an old lighthouse site that gives you a wonderful view of the sea. There is also a small fisherman's cottage on Vitgrund which is a nice island.

The next day you plan for a longer trip than the one yesterday, because now you are on your way to Klacksörarna. Klacksörarna is actually its own little archipelago with islands with classic archipelago names such as Sydosten, Nordvästen and Nordosten. Between Oren and Storskäret there is a dredged channel that is exciting to paddle through. The small islands in the northeast are rich in birdlife, and on the coniferous forest-covered islands you will probably see the occasional forest bird. If not, you can enjoy the coarse coastal pines, sea walls and species-rich meadows. The beaches consist of gravel and shingle.

Söderhamn municipality has also arranged rental cabins with associated facilities, including a sauna. Information about the cabins can be found at www.visitsoderhamn.se.

If you want to camp, there are possibilities, but it is not easy to find a place that can accommodate many tents. But you don't have to look. You already have your base camp at Vatstenarna. And as you can see, you can stay in cabins if you want. So the cabins are an accommodation alternative to your tent site at Vatstenarna.

You'll probably have a swim and a bite to eat at Klacksörarna before taking the next step, to Prästgrundet. Prästgrundet is the outermost of the islands in Söderhamn's archipelago, and the "cut" from Klacksörarna is about four kilometers. In other words, you're getting ready for a pretty hefty crossing of an hour or so, depending on weather and wind. You have therefore checked that your canopy and lifejacket fit well, that you are properly dressed, that you are full, that you have your water bottle within reach, that you have a compass heading (in case the fog rolls in) and that you have peed.

Once at Prästgrundet, you paddle into the lagoon with all its beautiful boathouses that stand in a circle and welcome you. You go ashore at the jetty at the northern end of the lagoon and then take a walk among the boathouses and to the beautiful archipelago chapel with its typical bell tower. By the dance floor (oops) you'll find a large grassy area, where you may be able to camp, but it's probably best to ask first. You can also find a small campsite in Västerviken north of the lagoon, a nice beach. But as I said, you already have a campsite. But if for some reason you need a night camp, you can also find one on Prästgrundet, which is a nice outer archipelago island of national interest.

Now it's time to return to the base camp at Vatstenarna. If you want to vary your return journey, paddle down to Stålhararna (see "Stålnästuren, Jungfrukusten"), continue past Sandön and head for Knösen. There you can stop and visit a cave. And just north of Knösen you'll find Slottet, a seine fishing station. From the Castle you walk up towards Vatstenarna again. It's been a long day and it feels good to land in a place that you've already made "yours".

Day three out in the sea

After breakfast, you leave your base camp and steer the kayak towards Medharet, which is a couple of kilometers in a northwesterly direction. If you want to swim, make a small stop and take a dip at the small sandy spot. From Medharet you can see Snäckens nature reserve, which juts out into the sea as a 300 meter long headland. There is a long beach at Snäcken. If the sea is friendly to you, we recommend that you go to Korsholmsudden. At the far end of the bay there is a sheltered spot where you can camp, if you wish.

If there is an easterly or southerly wind when you are at Snäcken, the lake will be very rough. Then you might prefer to get into some calmer water? Then paddle west, follow the shoreline, go inside Ullörarna and you will soon arrive at the island of Rönnskär. On the inside of Rönnskär it is nice to go ashore. You pitch your tent on the sandy beach, take a dip and cook the long-awaited evening meal in the evening sun.

**Day four.

Since you only have about five kilometers back to the car in Skärså today, you can take it really easy in the morning; swim and relax. If the wind is easterly and you are keen on surfing, you can paddle back to Snäcken and play in the waves. If not, paddle back to Skärså. It is a wonderful feeling to steer the kayak towards the nice fishing village. Maybe it's now that you "go big" and sit down at the table at the Albertina restaurant.

**Day four, an option.

You want to paddle more? Yes, then you steer the kayak from Rönnskär back to Snäcken, round Korsholmsudden, aim for Norrnäbb and continue to Klubb where there is a jetty. You paddle on to Klippen and Lotshällan and from there you start to see Långvind's mill.

Långvind's mill

Långvind's mill is an idyllic mill community dating back to the 17th century when there was an ironworks here that operated until 1902. Much remains; the manor house, chapel and remains of blast furnaces testify to a heyday. There is a resident population here and during the summer holidays Café Bränneriet opens. Accommodation is available, as is a campsite. After a day in the lush greenery in a beautiful mill environment, you return. You now have quite a long paddle back to the car in Skärså. But the summer night is bright.

Tour overview

Type of paddling: Sea kayaking

Paddling experience: Experienced

Tour length: Approximately 20-50 km (depending on day trip or overnight trip)

Attractions: History, cultural sites and nature