Kayaking Mariestad

Welcome to the Mariestad archipelago

Lake Vänern is Sweden’s largest lake, with around
22,000 islands, islets, and skerries, and Mariestad
Municipality boasts a coastline of no less than 14 miles. Here,
you’ll find the largest archipelago area of Lake Vänern, as
well as its largest island, Torsö. The region around Lake
Vänern is a paradise for the adventurous, the explorer, the
connoisseur, and especially for those interested in culture and
nature. The Mariestad and archipelago offer fantastic
swimming opportunities from sandy beaches and cliffs,
exciting fishing, hiking, cycling, and paddling, scenic
viewpoints, and historical landmarks. In this map, you’ll find
tips on how to best experience our fantastic archipelago.

Biosphere area, nature reserve and national park

Mariestad, together with the municipalities of
Götene and Lidköping, is part of Lake Vänern Archipelago and
Mount Kinnekulle UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It was established in
2010 with a focus on preserving and developing the area in a
sustainable manner. This way, more people can enjoy everything that is
here, even in the future. Several islands around Mariestad and
other lakeside areas are also nature reserves, including the
centrally located Gamla Ekudden,
Brommö, Onsö, and Kalvö. Further out in Lake Vänern lies Djurö National Park, which is Sweden’s
most isolated archipelago. Here, and throughout the archipelago,
there is a rich flora and fauna. Bird sanctuaries are found in
several places, so be aware of protection periods and any landing
restrictions.

Paddling in the archipelagos
around Torsö

The shallow archipelagos around Torsö offer
beautiful and varied paddle routes. At the same time, Lake Vänern is
nearby. Always check the wind conditions before setting off. The
weather can change rapidly, even on a sunny day. The most common wind direction in Lake Vänern is
from southwest to west. Some of the routes west of
Torsö and Brommö may require experience and caution, as the wind
from the open lake can create substantial waves. Kayaks with
sprayskirts are suitable for paddling, while open canoes should
only be used in calm weather and sheltered areas. Kayaks can be difficult to spot from a boat,
especially if the sun’s reflections on the water hide the kayak. Never
paddle in a fairway; cross them as quickly as possible
and keep a close watch on boats.