Sweden is a great country to experience the great outdoors. Forests, mountains, lakes and tundras can all be found in great quantities. The spectacular fjords and thousands of small rock islands near make for some breath-taking views when sailing or hiking along the coast. Along the Norwegian border lie the Caledonian mountains. The higher peaks remain covered in snow all summer, and above the tree line glaciers can be found. These glacers use to cover most of Sweden, and when they melted the moving ice formed many caveties that got filled with water. These are the almost 100.000 lakes in Sweden. Many of these are surrounded by dense woods, where the silence is almost palatable. The perfect place for a (canoe) hike. Further up north are the swamp covered tundra'swith it's many mosses and fungi.

Canoe hiking
As said before, Sweden has almost 100.000 lakes. A good way to explore these is by canoe. You can bring your own canoe, or hire one from one of the many rental services.

One of these is located in Arvika. At this rental service you can hire fully equipped open canoes and route descriptions for several multi-day canoe hikes through the nearby nature reserve. The fee also includes an instruction session on how to canoe and what the proper way is to use the little cart that comes with the canoe. Since the reserve consists of many small lakes, you will have to carry your canoe and everything in it from one lake to another.
One of the routes available is a 80 km hike that can be taken at leisure within a day or six. The first day takes you across the largest, most crowded lake of the tour. After that you enter the quiet world of forests, small rock islands and wild animals. Most of these animals (a.o. elk, wolves, beavers, fish eagles) are nocturnal, and/or to shy to be seen, but chances are you will at the very least hear some wolves in the distance, or find elk droppings near your tent. Botanists will delight in the many species of brightly coloured mushrooms that grow on the damp mosses everywhere.
It might rain for a while, but as long as you keep that paddle moving you won't get cold, and the view over a misty lake, with small islands mysteriously appearing and disappearing in the fog is worth the soggy bottom. Besides, sunshine feels so much better when you've experienced rain for a bit. And when the sun breaks through the clouds, what could be better than to stop at a nearby island to dry out a bit and enjoy just taking it easy for a while.
But not too long, because crossing over from one lake to another can be hard work. In spite of what the brocure may tell you, some paths are pretty steep, and dragging that boat for three km can really work up a sweat. Nothing a cool dive in the next lake won't cure though.
Gliding quietly over the water in the coolness of the early morning, you can be happy to be there, and not on an overcrowded hot beach in the south of France.