Scandinavia

This category brings together printed maps and guidebooks focused on paddling in Scandinavia. Titles cover quiet forest lakes, broad inland waterways and complex coasts, with content suited to both canoe and SUP travel. Clear cartography, practical route notes and up-to-date access information help trips run smoothly.

Coverage typically falls into two groups. Regional overviews such as North Scandinavia, Central Scandinavia and South Scandinavia help link longer routes across borders and large watersheds. Country-focused series for Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland provide finer local detail for weekend loops or specific valleys, lakes and archipelagos.

Maps commonly use outdoor-friendly materials and scales that balance overview with accuracy. Expect waterproof or tear-resistant sheets and scales around 1:25,000 to 1:100,000 for detailed navigation, with broader planning sheets up to 1:250,000. Symbology highlights put-ins, take-outs, portages, campsites, shelters, hazards, shipping lanes and restricted areas where relevant.

Guidebooks add concise route descriptions with distances, approximate times, grading, portage notes and alternatives for wind or swell. Many include local access guidance, parking and public transport links, seasonal notes and simple tips for launching and landing with a canoe or SUP.

Scandinavian conditions can vary widely. Publications often point out wind funnelling in valleys, tidal considerations on exposed coasts (notably in parts of Norway and Denmark), lake fetch, spring snowmelt levels, and long daylight windows in summer. Basic safety and environmental guidance is usually included, along with reminders to follow local regulations and access rights.

Useful extras may include coordinate grids for GPS, compatible UTM/lat‑long references, overview planning maps, waypoint lists, and QR codes or download links for GPX tracks where provided by the publisher.

Choosing between regional and country titles depends on trip length and required detail. Regional sets suit multi-day traverses and broad planning across North, Central or South Scandinavia. Country series for Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland offer the tight detail needed for specific lakes, fjords or island groups. For narrow routes and complex shorelines, finer scales and waterproof sheets are practical on the water.

OutdoorXL offers a large assortment from established publishers, so editions and formats can vary. This category focuses on clear mapping, dependable route notes and durable materials to support canoe and SUP travel throughout Scandinavia.