What does portage mean?

Portage means you carry or drag canoe and packing over land between two waters – for example past a rapid, a waterfall or a neck between two lakes. A portage can be a few metres or several hundred, and along canoe routes they are often marked with a path and signs.

How do you carry a canoe over a portage?

A canadien can be carried upside down on the shoulders by one person (with the centre thwart against the neck) or by two who lift at bow and stern. Pack in waterproof drybags that are easy to lift out, and count on walking back and forth if you have a lot of packing. Never drag the canoe over sharp stones unless you must.

How do you plan a trip through a lake system?

Start from a map of the route, count day stages by your ability and put portages in the timetable – they take longer than you think. Many rentals offer ready routes, transport and maps. Check lock times and any route fees, and always have a backup plan if the weather changes.

May you camp along canoe routes in a lake system?

Allemansrätten applies, and along most routes there are prepared camps and wind shelters. Use them where they exist, respect landowners and fire bans, and leave no traces. More in our guide on overnight camping.

Paddle a lake system – routes, portage and camp

One of paddling’s finest adventures is to travel through a whole lake system – paddling from lake to lake, carrying the canoe over short necks and camping on an island on the way. Sweden has several classic canoe-route areas built for this, such as Dalslands kanotled, Glaskogen, Nordmarken and Rogen. Here are the basics of how such a trip works.

What is a portage?

Portage is the core of lake-system paddling: carrying or dragging canoe and packing over land between two waters. It can be a short neck between two lakes, a bypass around a rapid or a waterfall, or a carry past a dam. Along established routes the portages are usually marked with a path and signs, and the distances are given on the route map. A portage can be anything from ten metres to a good kilometre.

Plan the route

Lake-system routes are paddled in stages. Start from a route map, work out reasonable day stages and put portages in the timetable – they always take longer than you think, especially with a lot of packing. Many canoe centres rent a canoe with a map and transport and can suggest ready loops or a one-way through the system. Check lock times, any route fees and where the camps sit before you go.

Carry the canoe

Pack smart so the portages stay light. Use waterproof drybags that can quickly be lifted out and carried separately. A canadien is carried upside down on the shoulders by one person, or lifted at bow and stern by two. If you have a lot of packing you often walk back and forth – plan for that. See our packing list for what should come.

Make camp

Along most lake-system routes there are prepared rest and camp sites, wind shelters and fireplaces. Use them where they exist, stay on durable ground and respect Allemansrätten and landowners. Fire only where it is allowed and never during a fire ban, and leave the place nicer than you found it. More in our guide on overnight camping.

Allemansrätt and local rules

Allemansrätten does not give free passage over plot land or cultivated land. Choose the portage path with respect for the hemfridszon, close gates behind you and leave no traces. In nature reserves and other protected areas special rules can restrict landing, camping, fires or travel, so check the area’s rules before you leave. A route map shows the way, but does not replace that check.

Good lake systems to start in

For beginners and families, quiet, well marked systems such as Dalslands kanotled, Glaskogen and Nordmarkens sjösystem are forgiving choices – short portages, plenty of camps and rentals on the spot. In the mountains Rogen offers more demanding wilderness paddling. Find routes, rentals and camps on the map.