Nissan canoe trail
The Nissan river canoe trail flows through four nature reserves and shows the most beautiful side of Småland.
In the northern part of the trail, the Nissan runs through some forest lakes. Here you can experience what it feels like to step ashore on a deserted island and explore the magic of nature. The southern part of the canoe trail is a more winding course and is in many places very meandering. Here the trees arch over the river and if you are lucky you will see a deer or an elk standing and drinking at the edge of the river. For those who want to get out of the canoe, there are many exciting buildings and historical monuments to visit. The rafting chute, Gislaveds industrial museum, Bölaryds museum mill, Villstad village and Smålandsstenars stone circles are just some of the places steeped in history. You can start and end wherever you want along the canoe trail. Have a lovely day trip or take on a longer adventure by paddling the entire trail of almost 90 kilometres.
Stages - Nissan canoe trail
Öreryd – Isaberg (2-4 hours)
During this stage you will experience both river paddling and beautiful forest lakes. This stage is calm and family-friendly.
Portage: The stage includes a portage of 600 m at Isaberg golf course (see signage).
Campsites: In Algustorpasjön there is a cosy picnic area with beautiful views of the lake. At the picnic area there is a shelter, barbecue area, toilet, firewood storage and information board. If you want to stay overnight on an island, you can stop at Väro, a popular excursion destination and nature reserve. On Jansson's headland there is a shelter, outhouse and fireplace with firewood.
We recommend - 1: Take a dip or stop for a coffee break on your very own sandy beach. There are lots of small lovely sandy beaches at Norra Gussjön, Hammarsjön and Algustorpasjön.
We recommend - 2: Make a detour up to Västerån ,which flows into Norra Gussjön.
We recommend - 3: Take a break when paddling through Ettö nature reserve, which offers beautiful pastures with floral splendour and sparkling reflecting water.
We recommend - 4: Stop at the small island of Värö, which is also a nature reserve. An 800 metre long path runs around the whole island.
Isaberg – Gislaveds industrial museum (5-8 hours)
This stage starts off by paddling through three lakes. The remaining stretch consists of calm-flowing river paddling. This stage is family-friendly.
Portage: There is no portage through this stage but it does end with a portage of 400 m at Gislaved's industrial museum (see signage).
Campsites: This stage has two campsites. The first is located in Bäckshult and the second in Båraryd. The picnic areas have a shelter, barbecue area, wood storage and toilet.
We recommend - 1: If you start your paddling adventure at Isaberg, we recommend you stop at the small island of Värö, which is also a nature reserve. An 800 m long path runs around the island and on the east side of the island you will find a lovely campsite.
We recommend - 2: Algustropasjön and Vikaresjön have many small islands to explore.
We recommend - 3: If the water level is high enough, you can make a detour from Vikaresjön on Källerydsån which flows past Nissafors.
We recommend - 4: Just before Gislaved, at Rödjan, there is a small sandy beach where you can go ashore. A stone's throw away is the Smålandia shopping area. Burgers (Burger King and Hotbox Burgers) and Asian food (Rosegarden) are on offer for the hungry.
We recommend - 5: Make a stop at the Holmen recreation area. Here you will find cosy barbecue huts, a playground and outdoor gym.
We recommend - 6: At the end of the stage is Gislaved's Industrial Museum filled with many fascinating items, such as a disposable parachute used during World War II. At the industrial museum you will also find the Nissan Nature and Culture Trail with information signs that tell you about the area's plant and animal life as well as industrial and cultural history.
Gislaveds Industrial Museum – Rönnegården (5-8 hours)
The most distinctive feature of this stage is its winding geography. This is a slow geological process called meandering, which is constantly changing the watercourse and its immediate environment. This stage is family-friendly.
Portage: This stage does not include portage.
Campsites: This stage has a campsite, Rönnegården. It has a shelter, barbecue area, firewood storage and toilet.
We recommend - 1: Paddling this stretch of the water gives you the chance to enjoy an undisturbed wilderness. Keep an eye out for deer and elk grazing and drinking along the river's edge.
Rönnegården – Smålandsstenar (3-4 hours)
This stretch consists mainly of calm-flowing river paddling. This stage is family-friendly.
Portage: The stage includes a portage of 100 m.
Campsites: Along this stage there is a campsite, Ågård. It has a shelter, barbecue area, firewood storage and toilet.
We recommend - 1: At about the halfway point of this stage you pass Villstad Brunn. The well was popular for its curative powers until the early 20th century. The power from the well was considered to be of divine origin and anyone, who believed, could be cured of practically any disease. According to old tradition, Karl XI visited the spring and drank the water during his travels.
We recommend - 2: Take a break at the nature conservation area Villstad church village. Here you will experience beautiful nature, historic buildings and ancient monuments. The church, the church stables, the old vicarage and the schoolhouses are all places that are well worth a visit.
We recommend - 3: At Villstad local heritage centre, which is located a stone's throw from Nissan, lies the well-known ancient monument Smålands stenar. The burial ground has five stone circles with 6-20 upright stones in each. This type of burial ground is thought to be about 1,500 years old. This field is one of the most prominent stone circle burial grounds in Småland.
Smålandsstenar – Skeppshult (2-4 hours)
This stretch consists mainly of calm-flowing river paddling. This stage is family-friendly.
Portage: There is no portage through this stage but it does end with a portage of 100 m at Bölaryd mill.
Campsites: Along this stage there is a campsite, Skeppshult. It has a shelter, barbecue area, firewood storage and toilet.
We recommend - 1: This stage ends at Bölaryd's museum mill. It was in commercial operation until about 1960 and was renovated as a museum mill in the early 2000s by Bölaryd's mill association, which holds mill days and flour milling demonstrations. It is currently the only mill that can be operated along Nissan in Jönköping province.
Canoeing with overnight stays
If you want to travel a longer distance with several overnight stays, we recommend that you start in Öreryd or Isaberg and canoe or kayak down to Skeppshult, which takes 4-5 days. Along the canoe trail you will pass a number of cosy campsites with shelters where you can stay overnight.
Campsites with shelters
Along the Nissan river there are eight campsites where you can stay overnight: Alabo, Algustorpasjön, Båraryds By, Bäckshult, Rönnegården, Skeppshult, Ågård, Öreryd. Each rest area has a shelter, firewood storage, a barbecue area, a litter bin and a toilet.
In order to use the rest areas along the trail, a canoe voucher is required. This canoe voucher is available for purchase at selected points of sale along the Nissan. The canoe voucher must be placed in the mailbox when you arrive at the rest area. More information can be found at the point of sale.
Combine canoeing with hiking
Combine canoeing with hiking on Gislavedsleden. You can, for example, canoe or kayak from Öreryd or Isaberg to Gislaved and then hike back to Isaberg via Gislavedsleden.