Hello,

Hoping someone is into canadian canoeing….

A friend and I are looking to go for a canoe trip of up to a week in length somewhere overseas. We have already had a practise over three days in Scotland on the River Spey and think we are up to it!

We are looking to go overseas, experience some wilderness and paddle a canoe.

So far he has found a range of lake based trips in Canada, Sweden and Finland but I can’t help wondering if there is a river based option which might be a bit more interesting than all flat water paddling – sort of like the Spey but longer and non-UK. We are becoming fairly competent but given we will have all the kit and open canoe not looking for wild white water!

I’ve had a look on Song of the Paddle forum but didn’t get much inspiration so thought I would try the obvious second option of Singletrack 😉

Any suggestions of where to go or resources to look at appreciated.

Whanganui river NZ

Coruh (choruh?) In Turkey is the only multi day I’ve done, but maybe a bit stout.

The ardeche is probably where you’ll end up

Actually. Here’s a useful bit of info. Get the Pete Knowles white water massif central guidebook.

you can do a long river trip in Denmark, look up Gudenåen.

France – Massif Central area is surrounded by rivers from flat tours to gd4 white water.

Warmth, tepid water, cheap wine, what more do you want?

Get the guide.

https://www.canoemassifcentral.com/contact

https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/sets/72157655197686658/with/19490089176/

Allier? Upper Loire? Look again at SOTP, there’s  loads of stuff on there.

Ardeche as mentioned before is/was an amazing place to visit. Couple of days on a river from Vallon down.

Worth a look anyhow

Gorges du Tarn .

Lots of campsites all the way down and when you arrive in Millau you can do the Dourbie or carry on a bit further .

I’ll recommend what’s on my doorstep

https://www.shubenacadiecanal.ca/map/

With a little bit of portage you can go coast to coast, and it’s beautiful, quiet and accessible.

If you needed help planning – I live in Fall River, right by Lake Thomas

Plus it’s made for you, you can deviate and go to your own mountain https://www.thekeppoch.ca/ @keppoch

For that length on flowing water, if you have the budget I highly recommend the USA. Many canoe trails with good campsites (generally picnic table & fire ring), good outfitters, proper feeling of wilderness and nice wildlife. You’ll need to plan well for 6-7 days and you will need a water filter (e.g. beavers carry giardsis). You also tend to get lakes on that length of trip, so read up on canoeing on open water and when not to attempt a crossing.

Ideas:

Allagash Waterway, Maine. We did the West Penobscot for 4 days and we will go back. Northwoods, moose, beaver, otters, deer, bald eagles, more moose. Best in summer.

Downstream Colorado tributaries Utah, e.g. Green River. Geology and canyons. Better in spring / autumn.

We recently did Okefenokee, Georgia (mostly flatwater) which we loved. By far the quietist / most remote from another person i’ve ever been and full of wildlife (deer, owls, birds, frogs as well as gators). We were recommended a river trip in South Carolina, I think Edisto River trail.

I’ld like to know what other long river options you find. There are also loads of flatwater and sea kayaking routes (i.e. trails with established campgrounds). As well as the properly adventurous / possibly a bit too remote options like the Yukon.

For something different https://www.myclarencevalley.com/clarence-river-canoe-and-kayak-trail

Theres a few companies that will drop you off with a canoe and supplies and then you are on your own for 3 days or more through some pretty remote areas.

This is one I have been mulling over. The river I have been looking at is the Murray river. 2500Km long.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_River

I know nothing about this but after watching yesterdays TdF stage right through (I was dog sitting for a friend, seemed like a reasonable use of the time) I have an urge to go exactly the same down the river they were following. Stunning locations.

Photo gallery: A day for the breakaway on stage 14 at the Tour

Ardeche, as someone suggested.

Those Aus ones look awesome! There is also the Lower Glenelg in VIC which is tamer.

Thinking about it, don’t be put off by flatwater if you get links by flowing water. Most people portage anything above a Class I-II. So Boundary Waters-Quetico, parts of Finland, Sweden and east Poland look good.

The long French rivers look lovely for pootling in farmland between villages with sunshine and great food. The limestone gorges are lovely. The Ardeche is great fun for 2 days. The extension takes you through towns / along roads. Most French outfitters will rent sit on tops rather than canoes.