Packrafting on the Alster River - an adventure at Vidinge Gård, Småland

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Writer: Helena Bergström

Packrafting on the Alsterån river is a scenic adventure that we have long wanted to experience. It started when we visited Vidinge Farm with the motorhome a few years ago. That time it was a bike ride and dinner at the farm pub, but the curiosity about packrafting started ... and now it has finally happened!

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Vidinge Farm in Småland

Vidinge Gård is a dog-friendly guesthouse and fishing centre in Glasriket in Småland, with pitches for motorhomes. The farm is run by Johan and Eva-Lena, who we first met when we visited the farm in 2021. Ever since then we have been planning to come back one day!

In addition to the fact that on the first visit we received a very nice and personal welcome (and very good food!), we were allowed to "borrow" the farm's dog Kenny (now an angel dog) who guided us through the woods on our forest walk. A so nice memory!

The farm is located in Älghult in the Småland forests, at a convenient distance from all kinds of attractions and experiences in Glasriket.

Real motorway service area at Vidinge Gård

Vidinge Gård is a guest house, and you can book a room or apartment for an overnight stay. In addition, there are six pitches for motorhomes or caravans, with electricity and access to toilet, shower and kitchen in the guesthouse.

Getting ready for packrafting in Alsterån

This time we had booked ourselves in for the adventure that we missed last time - packrafting in Alsterån. We started by packing and going through the equipment on the farm, while we got some instructions for the day. The weather was one hundred per cent on our side, with brilliant April sunshine.

Stage 1: Car journey to the start

You could say that the tour is divided into three stages. The first stage (6 kilometres on forest roads) can be done by bike if you wish. In that case, the whole tour becomes a kind of "mini-triathlon" - cycling, hiking and packraft. The first part of the tour can also be done by car, which we did.

At the start of the walk there is a small car park with a toilet, and here we left our motorhome to embark on the adventure.

Stage 2: Hiking

The instructions for the walk were relatively simple. We were to walk upstream, first on the right side of the river, and after the first bridge we were to cross over to the left side of the river. A path followed all along the way, first marked yellow and blue, and then marked yellow and orange.

We hiked with both packraft and paddle in each backpack. It is unbelievable you can carry all your equipment on your back without it being particularly heavy.

It was an incredibly nice hike. The nature here is amazingly beautiful, and not least peaceful. The only sounds you hear when you walk are the birds singing.

Most of the walk was overlooking the river, where the trees and clouds were reflected in the still water.

Preparations for packrafting in Alsterån

After a little over an hour of hiking, we arrived at the "starting point", where Johan met us to join the packrafting tour. When you book this tour, you basically do it as a tour on your own, but if you want, and if available, you can book a guide.

Johan showed us how to inflate the pack, which is easily done in about ten minutes.

Then it was time for some instructions. Among other things, Johan showed how you sometimes have to lean backwards to slide over rocks more easily when the water level is low. We were also equipped with neoprene trousers, so that we would stay dry and warm. In summer you can do the adventure in swimwear if you want, but in April this was a better outfit!

Stage 3: Packrafting in the Alster River

Finally it was time for the most exciting, and most scenic, part of the adventure. We each jumped into a packraft and started paddling.

Most of the trip downstream was wonderfully calm and relaxing. Since we were following the direction of the water, it was a fairly easy paddle, and we were able to focus on enjoying the nature and the peace. Imagine how quiet it can be in a place like this!

In some places it was a bit more challenging to paddle, because you had to cross (or glide over) rocky parts, or because the water flowed a bit more. In two places we also had to get out of the packraft and pull it past shallow and rocky areas.

After that we could continue the pleasant and relaxing paddling in the scenic environment. In fact, you meet extremely few people here. Occasionally, an occasional fisherman may be in the water, but you will not meet any other boats. Because it's so shallow, you can't use a normal canoe here - you have to use a packraft!

So when you stop, all you hear is silence, and perhaps some of the sounds of the forest, such as the occasional bird chirping.

It was a fantastic trip, and afterwards we felt very, very happy with our day.

We can also show you the beautiful marsh marigold flower, which is a protected species, and which we saw on the way back.

End of the evening: Dinner in the pub

In the evening we had dinner in the incredibly cosy little pub, located in its own little house in the middle of the farm. What could be better than eating and drinking well here, after a full day of hiking and paddling in nature ...?

This is the second time we have eaten at Vidinge Farm's pub, and we can highly recommend the food here. You can tell that there is a great love for food, and the focus is on food made from scratch, based on locally produced ingredients. The restaurant has full rights and you can, for example, find local craft beer from Emmaboda brewery.

More to experience at Vidinge Gård

Vidinge Gård is a real gem in Småland! You can come here just to experience nature and tranquillity, perhaps in combination with good locally produced food. You can also cycle, fish and pick mushrooms (depending on the season of course).

In our new travel agency FREEDOM Xplore you will find several great experience packages at Vidinge Gård for you with a motorhome (ad link). In time, there will be even more packages - Johan and Eva-Lena have many exciting ideas in the pipeline. Don't miss out and keep an eye out for it!

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Vidinge Gård is located in the glass kingdom of Småland, where there is plenty to see and discover. If you like adventure, you will find Europe's longest zipline right in the neighbourhood. And of course there are many great glassworks and glassworks in Glasriket. A very nice area in Småland, which is great to discover all year round!

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