vORG map - 2
First build the raft, then sail it on the river
Today, the entire von Elern family will be working together to build their own timber raft for a day trip heading south on the Klarälven river. Martin Pattenden from Vildmark i Värmland is their instructor.
TEXT: KATARINA AVERÅS PHOTO: ØYVIND LUND
"We need to find the right logs," Martin says. "We have to have three layers. We'll start off with the strongest ones and finish off with the narrow ones for the floor."
After that, there's plenty of frenetic activity going on near the banks of the river north of Stöllet. Today's trip will cover nine kilometres and take four hours.
"Rafting is a huge adventure for our guests," says Martin. "The Klarälven river and life on the riverbanks always has something unexpected to offer. The landscape here is unique, with the meandering of the river, as it's known."
The Klarälven river flows at its natural pace, at between two and three kilometres an hour. The raft floats at the same speed. So this mode of travel isn't what you'd call particularly speedy. And it doesn't mean that everyone can sit down and rest at the same time, either. At every bend in the river, someone has to make sure the raft is positioned correctly and doesn't end up getting stuck.
"There are lots of opportunities to go on land as we sail," says Martin, indicating the forest with his hand. It's about a three-kilometre hike up to Brattfallet. There's an adventure course here, too."
Vildmark i Värmland has more than just rafting to offer, too. It has a long list of activities to choose from. Anyone visiting this part of Värmland can enjoy most of what nature has to offer: forests, mountains and waterways. This company is an example of ecotourism and meets all the criteria laid down by the Ecotourism Society of Sweden and Visit Sweden in order to gain "Nature's Best" certification.
