Have you seen Visit Sweden’s recent “Your Swedish Island” campaign, where lucky winners from around the globe get the exclusive rights to a private island for a year? It’s a fun idea and a brilliant initiative that really speaks our language. The one about luxury in the form of nature, privacy, and silence. But guess what? You don’t need to win a global competition to find your very own hidden gem.
Sweden has hundreds of thousands of islands, and if you are looking for nature-focused things to do in Stockholm this summer, our top tip is a micro-expedition on Lake Mälaren. By renting a kayak with us, you can quickly leave the city pulse behind and glide straight into the wilderness.
Uninhabited Gems in Lovön Nature Reserve
To truly find that feeling of total seclusion, we think you should head out on a slightly longer tour towards the islands of Lake Mälaren. Within just about a two-hour paddle from our docks, you’ll reach the area around beautiful Kärsön. Hidden here are small, completely uninhabited pearls like Krankholmen, Granholmen, and Tallholmen. Pulling your kayak up onto one of these smooth rock slabs, unpacking your own picnic, and gazing out over the water is an experience hard to match.
These islands are nestled within the scenic Lovön Nature Reserve. Thanks to the unique Swedish Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten), we have the freedom to roam almost anywhere. However, we always like to remind our guests that with freedom comes the responsibility to “not disturb and not destroy.” We always leave the islands just as untouched and beautiful as we found them, and if you spot any floating trash on your way out, please feel free to scoop it up!
Urban Outdoor and “Rugged Luxury”
Being outdoors is a powerful trend, often framed as “Rugged Luxury” – experiencing the wilderness in a comfortable and accessible way. With our All-Inclusive package, we make the threshold to the archipelago minimal. We provide a fully equipped premium kayak, all necessary safety gear, and a thorough technique and route briefing before you launch. All you have to do is pack your own favorite food and drinks, show up, and enjoy the adventure.
Research on the Blue Mind concept shows that our brains enter a deep, restorative state of rest when we are near water. This makes a full day in the kayak a really smart investment in your health.
Tips from the Dock
Our instructor Emil shares some good advice for your slightly longer island expedition: “When paddling out towards the Mälaren islands and Kärsön, you might encounter some wake from passing boats. The best trick is to relax your hips and let the kayak ride the water; if you tense up, it just gets wobbly. And a quick packing tip for your picnic: Always place the heaviest items, like water and drinks, at the bottom and near the center of the kayak. This will give you a super stable and safe journey out to your island!”
Safety on the Water
Safety is always our highest priority. Before you paddle away, we ensure you feel completely comfortable in the kayak. According to the Swedish Canoe Federation, the most important rules are simple but vital: always wear a life jacket, preferably paddle with a companion, and stay sober on the water.
Get ready to find your very own rock in our beautiful island world!
👉 Book Lek Mer’s All-Inclusive package here and find your own island!
(Taggar: Rent kayak, Things to do in stockholm, Rent kayak stockholm, all inclusive kayak, stockholms archipelago islands, urban outdoor, lovöns naturreservat)
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