Tämnaråns kanotled, Strömsberg - Västland, 6 km

Length: 6 km.

Difficulty: Demanding.

Lift: Brickworks stream, 500 m. What, 700 m. Westland, 2 km.

This is a varied and exciting stage, which includes several slightly longer lifts. Therefore, it has been given a difficulty level of demanding. When the water is high, it is possible to paddle through Tegelbruksströmmen and the following Braxenströmmen, if you are a little experienced. At lower water it is too shallow and rocky. The lifts are quite long so a canoe cart to drive the canoes on is needed. The nature around the river is varied. In places the river is bordered by a curtain of trees and in places by open land. In late summer and fall, there is a lot of vegetation along some parts of the river, but there is always a narrow channel so that you can get through.

You start north of the dam gates in the old mill town of Strömsberg. Take your time to wander around the village before you start your paddle. Strömsberg is called "The White Mill". Iron production started here in the mid-1600s. The blast furnace and forge fell silent in 1920, but the buildings are still there to visit. Workers' dwellings, mill street, bell tower, manor house, school museum and nostalgia museum give the visitor experiences from the past. There is also a café right by the river, see the café's Facebook page for opening hours

After 500 m of paddling you will reach Braxenströmmen. Here you lift the canoe on the right side right next to a house. Walk up to the road and follow the forest road 500 m north to a turnaround. Here you can go down to the river again and put in the canoe. Now follows a stretch where the river is lined with steep reed-covered banks and large trees.

At Vad you come to the next lift past a shallow foreshore. The bridge is on the right side well before the rapids. From here, follow the tractor road north along the river and then the gravel road through the village, which continues along the river. After a total of 700 m you come to the landing stage.

**When you then approach the end of the stage at Bolstan in Västland, keep left until you reach the jetty. The bridge is located just after a footbridge over the river, see picture. When there is a lot of water in the river, the water can flow quite quickly here, so it is important to keep along the left edge instead of in the middle of the river where the current is stronger. Beyond the bridge begins a shallow foreshore.

If you want to continue your paddle north towards Karlholm, it is a 2 km lift through Västland. Some parts through Västland are paddleable, but it is difficult to get in and out of the river to lift past the shallow and rocky parts. Up to the bridge at Stav, north of Västland, you walk along the gravel road through the old mill town. You'll pass some of the few remaining buildings from the mill era and Västland church. Just before you cross the river, by the church, there is a shelter with a fireplace. To get to it, follow Upplandsleden towards hembygdsgården and then the sign for the shelter. There is parking at the church.

About Tämnarån's canoe trail Tämnarån starts at Lake Tämnaren and stretches out to the sea at Karlholm, a distance of about 50 km. Most of the river is good for canoeing, but the amount of vegetation, the water depth and how fast the water flows varies greatly throughout the year. The least vegetation is in spring and early summer. In several places, you will have to lift yourself past obstacles such as dam gates or stretches of flowing water. Jetties make it easier to get in and out of the river. Signs with a canoe transport symbol show the way to the next landing place. All jetties belonging to the canoe route are clearly marked.

All this together makes Tämnarån a rather adventurous river. Since the water level and vegetation varies a lot, we do not have full control of how it looks at all times of the year. You as a paddler are welcome to report to us if you think there is something that needs to be clarified or supplemented in the stage description.

Keep in mind:

• If you go out in the spring, you should have some experience of paddling. Then there can be good speed on the water. The water is also very cold and you will quickly get chilled if an accident occurs.
• Never paddle without a life jacket.
• Show consideration for plant and animal life, landowners and other people.
• Keep your distance from birds, especially in spring and early summer when they have eggs and chicks.
• Don't forget to bring a garbage bag. Along the canoe trail there is no one to clean up, put your garbage in the bag and take it home.
• A small branch saw and a tow rope can be good to have with you, if nature has placed an obstacle across the river. If you see obstacles, we are grateful if you report it to us.