Distance: 16+ km, full day or overnight
Difficulty: 4/5 – for those who have paddled before
Start and finish: our jetty on Långholmen, central Stockholm

Fancy a longer trip – a full day or even with an overnight stay? Lake Mälaren has plenty of islands that make good places to rest or camp. Kärsön, Kungshatt and Fågelön are large islands quite close to each other, about 2–3 hours of paddling (one way) from Långholmen. Explore the shoreline and find a good spot – ideally a small beach where it is easy to pull up the kayak.

The route step by step

Start from our jetty, paddle under Långholmsbron and west under Reimersholmsbron. Cross the shipping lane, pass Gröndal on your left and paddle under Essingebron.

Keep to the left of the shipping lane and pass Vinterviken, Aspudden and Mälarhöjden on your left. Level with Mälarhöjden, either cross the lane towards Kärsön or Fågelön, or paddle about 30 more minutes to Kungshatt and find a place to rest there.

Mind the wind

There is often a tailwind on the way out into Mälaren and a headwind on the way back, or the other way round. Plan for it – with a tailwind out, the same distance back into the wind can be much harder. Save energy and time for the return.

Pack right

• Food, water and spare clothes in waterproof dry bags.
• Staying overnight: tent, sleeping bag and mat – see our packing list for kayak touring and read about kayak touring and the Swedish Right of Public Access.
• Wear your life jacket at all times, and preferably paddle with someone.

Rent a kayak on Långholmen

Rent a kayak on Långholmen (nearest metro Hornstull) and see our rental prices. Prefer a shorter trip? Try the Essinge Islands or the Figure Eight.