Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
Canoe articles - Sweden 1996
This was an article that was first published in British Naturism (BN), the magazine of the CCBN.
Exploring Sweden’s lakes and rivers, summer 1996
Sweden is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe with a network of rivers and lakes in endless forests.
The average Briton may imagine that a country so far north has little to offer the naturist, but they would be
badly mistaken. In July and August the weather tends to be warmer than in Southern England with long periods
of settled sunny weather. There are a number of naturist clubs scattered throughout Sweden, which I have always
found very welcoming, but the delight of Sweden is the thousands of lakes where the naturist will always be able
to find somewhere to strip off without causing offence.
The best way to explore the countryside is by open canoe. Sweden is covered with “kanotleden”, canoe trails
ranging in length from a few kilometres up to several hundred kilometres. These canoe trails are link together
lakes and rivers. There are occasionally small stretches of track where you can pull your canoe on a trolley. You
can camp virtually anywhere beside the lake or river, although the trails also have designated spots with shelters
and barbecues, which you can use.
There are countless spots where it is possible to swim (by July most of the lakes have got up to about 20°C).
There are many official bathing places on the lakes with sandy beaches and usually pontoons out to deep water
and often with diving platforms. Although these are textile they tend to be deserted in the mornings and available
for unofficial naturist use. As these trails are in remote countryside and surprisingly little used by the Swedes it
is possible for the naturist to spend most of his/her time canoeing, swimming or sunbathing without clothes.
Towards the end of July and in August, with the Swedish holidays ending, the main users of the canoe trails are
German and Dutch.
The canoe trails are designed for family use. Open (Canadian) canoes are so stable that trips would be suitable
for beginners. The canoes are designed to take two or three adults with camping gear and would be big enough for
two adults and two younger children. There are plenty of firms, which hire all the canoeing equipment (and also
camping equipment) that is needed and who would be able to give tuition. Tourist information offices have details
of canoe trails and canoe hire companies.
Anyone wanting more information or interested in joining me on a trip is welcome to contact me.
Sweden is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe with a network of rivers and lakes in endless forests.
The average Briton may imagine that a country so far north has little to offer the naturist, but they would be
badly mistaken. In July and August the weather tends to be warmer than in Southern England with long periods
of settled sunny weather. There are a number of naturist clubs scattered throughout Sweden, which I have always
found very welcoming, but the delight of Sweden is the thousands of lakes where the naturist will always be able
to find somewhere to strip off without causing offence.
The best way to explore the countryside is by open canoe. Sweden is covered with “kanotleden”, canoe trails
ranging in length from a few kilometres up to several hundred kilometres. These canoe trails are link together
lakes and rivers. There are occasionally small stretches of track where you can pull your canoe on a trolley. You
can camp virtually anywhere beside the lake or river, although the trails also have designated spots with shelters
and barbecues, which you can use.
There are countless spots where it is possible to swim (by July most of the lakes have got up to about 20°C).
There are many official bathing places on the lakes with sandy beaches and usually pontoons out to deep water
and often with diving platforms. Although these are textile they tend to be deserted in the mornings and available
for unofficial naturist use. As these trails are in remote countryside and surprisingly little used by the Swedes it
is possible for the naturist to spend most of his/her time canoeing, swimming or sunbathing without clothes.
Towards the end of July and in August, with the Swedish holidays ending, the main users of the canoe trails are
German and Dutch.
The canoe trails are designed for family use. Open (Canadian) canoes are so stable that trips would be suitable
for beginners. The canoes are designed to take two or three adults with camping gear and would be big enough for
two adults and two younger children. There are plenty of firms, which hire all the canoeing equipment (and also
camping equipment) that is needed and who would be able to give tuition. Tourist information offices have details
of canoe trails and canoe hire companies.
Anyone wanting more information or interested in joining me on a trip is welcome to contact me.
Photo to be added
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