For thousands of years the river has found its way from the source in south Dalarna, through Berggslagen to substantially wider watercourses – and finally to the sea. Svartälven really lives up to its name. It has dark water, its shores covered in coniferous forest. Svartälven river runs through genuine mountainous country of ore-bearing rock and endless forests. The wilderness feeling is broken from time to time by an occasional croft, village or isolated mill community. A suitable starting point is Tyfors on the border to Dalarna. An alternative is the eastern shore below the dam in Älvsjöhyllan, circa 20 km south of Tyfors. The stretch in its entirety flows calmly without any rapids or strong currents. The upper part of the river has a distinct wilderness character with numerous traces of elk, deer and beaver. Downstream from Silvergruvan (Silver mine) the river is narrow and meandering. Closer to Hällefors the river flows out into a narrow lake landscape of many small lakes with low banks. In Hällefors there is access to shops and all types of services. The river then flows in wide bends through a mighty sand delta. An easily paddled stretch that has a lot to offer those with an interest in nature. Svartälven river then runs out through a 35 km waterway system with often long, narrow and finger shaped lakes. The countryside around the lake system is magnificent with little impact from recreational development. Around the shores there are also a number of natural bathing spots with Storsand as perhaps the foremost. This section offers mainly lake paddling in beautiful mountainous country with fine bathing opportunities and the option of long detours through the tributaries. After Grythyttan you are once again out in the wilderness down towards Älvestorp and on past Rockesholm to Blankfors with its amazing landscape. Onwards south to Brattfors immediately north of Karlskoga where the tour ends. The tour is circa 120 km and takes 7 days. Costs are added for Naturkort.
Lerängen 210, 69192 Granbergsdal
Tyfors - Silvergruvan - Hällefors - Grythyttan - Älvestorp - Rockesholm - Blankfors - Brattfors.
