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A route guide by Olle Persson, shared by Långholmen Kajak – the Swedish part of Northkayak.
The Femöre peninsula is a nature reserve close to the centre of Oxelösund, beautifully placed with magnificent views over the open sea and the archipelago. The origin of the name is disputed; one theory is that "ör" in older Swedish meant stone or natural harbour. Blasted into the bedrock is a coastal artillery battery, decommissioned in 2003 and now a museum, and at the very tip stands Femörehuvud lighthouse with its keeper's house. Paddling round the peninsula is a real challenge in rough seas, but in calm weather you can get round without problems. The reward is an exciting trip around the whole peninsula, through Oxelösund's deep-water port and the narrow Femöre Canal – with the chance to stop for a good lunch on the way.
Start and finish: The beach and campsite on Jogerö (a 200-metre carry from the car park). Alternatively the small boat harbour just before the bridge to Jogerö, or the canoe club on Femöre. To reach Jogerö, follow the signs from the entrance to Oxelösund just before the bridge over the railway.
Distance: 14 km (from Jogerö beach)
Difficulty: Medium; difficult in windy weather.
The trip offers: Both sheltered archipelago paddling and open sea, lighthouses, a busy port, a narrow canal, waterside restaurants and a beach.
Map: Oxelösund municipality publishes a free map, available from the tourist office in the town centre among other places, which works well as a guide for this trip.
The trip is described anticlockwise, starting and finishing at Jogerö campsite.
From the beach, paddle out of the bay, keep left and follow the shore of Jogerö south to its southernmost point, Nötudden, which you round to the left, heading east. Aim for the buildings on Gölholmen – once an island, now the westernmost part of Femöre – passing Myrskär and Stångskär on your right. After Stångskär, turn right and then soon left through Inre Ramnösund, the narrow strait between Gölholmen and the small island of Ramnöklubb. If you want a break, round Ramnöklubb and paddle into the bay of Ramnöugnen on the west side of Ramnö, where there are toilets and a rest area. A blue-marked trail leads all the way round Ramnö.
Paddle back through Yttre Ramnösund – or, if the weather allows, round Ramnö – and continue east along Femöre. Here the sea is open and the swell can get quite high, but in calm weather it is no problem. At Gubbenshål on Femöre you can take a break; there are toilets and a deck to sit on. Ahead lies Femörehuvud, the rocky, imposing southern tip of Femöre, crowned by the lighthouse and keeper's house. In the rock there is also a decommissioned fortress with long-range guns, open to the public at certain times.
Turn left after Femörehuvud and approach Oxelösund's deep-water port, an impressive sight. Large ships pass at all hours, but if you stay fairly close to the shore there is no danger. Orange pilot boats also pass frequently. Round the point of Ljungholmen on the outside, and you reach Österviken with its fishing harbour, small boat harbour and guest harbour. At the guest harbour there is a food kiosk and overnight cabins.
Continue along the shore of Femöre to the next small boat harbour and paddle in, keeping the island of Stora Björn on your right at the entrance. Opposite the island, on the mainland side, there is a restaurant with a guest harbour. At the innermost part of the harbour, the basin – actually a sea inlet – turns into the Femöre Canal, a dug channel separating Femöre from the mainland. You come out into Femörefjärden, where you can see Jogerö in the background behind a few small islands. Follow the mainland shore on your right, pass a small boat harbour on your right and paddle under the bridge to Jogerö. Follow the shore of Jogerö on your left, round the west side of the island, and you are back where you started.
Text: Olle Persson
