Kayaking Nedre Heidal

This kayak / pack-raft tour is suitable for beginner-level kayakers and pack-rafters, and you do not need any previous paddling experience to join. If you do not have any prior whitewater kayaking experience, you can still join, but must be in a packraft, or an inflatable kayak. You must be able to swim, and have a reasonable level of fitness. This activity is youth friendly, but be aware the Lågen is still a big powerful river. For this reason child under 12-years must go in the same packraft or inflatable kayak as their caregivers. 

Note: We are located right in the middle of the Heidal Valley litterally beside this rafting section, which means there are no long bus rides to and from the river and makes it very convenient to drop in, raft and then either set up camp with us, jump in one of our amazing river side saunas, or carry on your way to your next adventure! 

Just note, that if your child is not a confident paddler, then they will have to go in an inflatable kayak together with their caregiver even if they are over 12 years. In this case, we can recommend our family rafting trip instead, which is on the same stretch of river and is the same price. You can book that here. 

If you want to learn how to kayak we recommend you join our two-day whitewater kayak/packraft course

• Duration: 2.5 hours (depending on numbers and flow). This includes a briefing, getting changed into and out of gear, driving to the river and back, and the tour itself.

• Age Limit: 13 years + (younger children from 7 to 12 years must go in an inflatable kayak with their caregiver). 

• Maximum 8 people on a tour. Our groups are kept small so you will have the best possible experience.

• What's included: Whitewater kayak or packraft, paddle and all equipment, including wetsuit, helmet, life vest, spray skirt, shoes, and spray jacket.

• Accommodation: At our paddling base in Nedre Heidal, we have camping/hammock/camper-van overnight options and a sauna and hot tub, toilet/kitchen facilities, and access to electricity. If you want to sleep in a cabin/room and not in a tent/hammock, then we recommend staying at the beautiful and cosy Faukstad Farmstead, which is just across the road, The Banken Cabin and Campsite in Heidal, or the historic Heart Break Hotel

• Discounts: You will receive a 15% discount code for our river sauna and accommodation in your booking confirmation. If you have already booked sauna or accommodation you will not get this discount refunded. 
  

• What to bring: 2 x layers of wool thermals and a warm change of clothes, water bottle, snacks, sun glasses and sunscreen.

• Do you want to learn to roll a kayak? - join our kayak rolling course here! 

• Interested in learning more about river safety and rescue? - join the Rescue 3 Norge course here.

• Want to hike while visiting the beautiful Heidal Valley? Read our blogs about cool hikes in the area. 

“CATCH YOU ON THE WATER!”

Our Sjoa River Sauna is one of the most scenic sauna experiences in Norway – perched on an old bridge pillar, with wild river rapids below and mountains stretching out in every direction.Whether you're warming up after a kayak course, raft trip, or just passing through the Heidal valley, this is a stop worth making. Romantic, raw, and unforgettable.

The sauna fits up to 8 people and is available for both public and private sessions, all year around.

Info:

• You can cool off in the river, the cold tub, or the outdoor shower – your choice.
• We also offer Whitewater rafting on the world famous Sjoa Playrun (Grade3) which is a great activity after the sauna. If you book sauna with us you will receive a discount code to book rafting. 
• There is fresh water access right beside the sauna for drinking, sauna bucket and cooling off,  between May - October. 
• During winter, there is no shower and the river is frozen, so you must cool off in the snow, cold air, or use your own water bottle (we are working on a winter water solution but for now you must bring your own water between months November - April). 
• Be careful during winter walking to the sauna, it can be slippery. 
• Be careful if you swim in the river and always respect nature and other guests.
• Bring 2 towels (one to sit on, one to dry off with).
• You’ll need to light the fire yourself – we provide wood and everything you need. The sauna is small so it does not take long to heat up. First use the small pieces of wood and fire starters, then slowly add larger pieces - make sure the ashtray (under fireplace opening) is pulled a few centimeters out to allow air into the fire room). 
• If you want to arrive 30minutes early to pre-heat the sauna, you are welcome to do so.

• Need a place to stay? We offer basic camping and camper van facilities during summer. We can recommend staying at the Faukstad Farmstead or Heart Break Hotel which are nearby, if you want high end accommodation. 

  
  

  Prices:

  • Private sauna session (2 hours): 995NOK per person

  • Public sauna session (2 hours): 249 NOK per session - book public here. 

“Catch you on the water!”

This tour is suitable for kayakers or pack-rafters with previous experience, and must be able to roll and/or rescue themselves. If you do not know how to roll a kayak or rescue yourself in a packraft, then get in touch and we can set up a private lesson for you, or you can join a rolling course. If you have no experience but want to learn to kayak or packraft you can join our Våttkort beginner kayak / packraft course here. 

• Maximum 5 people per guided kayak tour. Our groups are kept small so you will have the best and safest experience possible on the river. 

• Tour is between 2 - 5 hours in duration, depending on the river section and the river flow. 

• You choose the river depending on your skill level. You can choose from the Otta (2+), Sjoa (3) Playrun and Asengjuvet (3+) sections. We can take you on the Ula or Åmot sections but you need be capable enough to paddle class 4+ - just get in touch and we will figure something out! 

• At our paddling base in Nedre Heidal, we have camping/hammock/camper-van overnight options and a sauna and hot tub, toilet/kitchen facilities, and access to electricity. If you want to sleep in a cabin/room and not in a tent/hammock, then we recommend staying at the beautiful and cosy Faukstad Farmstead, which is just across the road, The Banken Cabin and Campsite in Heidal, or the historic Heart Break Hotel only a short 10 minute walk from our base.

• If you book a whitewater kayak tour with us, all gear is included. If you want to rent a kayak and go paddling by yourself (with your friends) then you can rent here: https://madgoats.rezdy.com/667599/kayak-packraft-or-inflatable-kayak-ducky-rental-sjoa-norway

• Want to hike while visiting the beautiful Heidal Valley? Read our blogs about cool hikes in the area. 

“CATCH YOU ON THE WATER!” 

Our Våttkort Introduction Course is a safe and easy start to whitewater paddling, where we concentrate on having fun and learning the basics in a controlled environment. This is a beginner-level kayaking or packrafting course. You will not learn to roll a kayak on this course (but we will show you the roll and explain the technique), instead you will learn how to relax upside down and perform the T-rescue, which are the first steps to learn how to roll - you can join our kayak rolling course here. Depending on what you choose, you will be awarded either the packrafting or kayaking “Våttkort Introkurs Elv” certificate on completion - Lets Goooat! 

• Duration: 4 - 5 hours (0930 - 1430)

• Age: You must be 13 years + to join

• Grunnkurs Elv Våttkort Course: We can recommend our two day Grunnkurs Elv Våttkort course where you have two days to learn and practice your whitewater kayaking skills. This course is better suited for those wanting to gain a solid foundation in river kayaking techniques rather than the quick crash course / taster that you get on the 5-hour introduction course. We run the Grunnkurs Elv course every weekend through June to August. 

• Course Info: You will receive an email after booking with all necessary information - where to meet, what to bring, course plan, etc. 
  

• Numbers: Minimum 3 people, maximum 8 people per course. Our groups are kept small so you will have the safest and most educational experience possible with us. 

• What's included: Whitewater kayak or packraft, paddle and all equipment, including wetsuit, helmet, life vest, spray skirt and spray jacket.

• Transport: We can provide transport to our base if you are coming via train or bus - just get in touch! 

• Accommodation: At our paddling base in Nedre Heidal, we have camping/hammock/camper-van overnight options and a sauna and hot tub, toilet/kitchen facilities, and access to electricity. If you want to sleep in a cabin/room and not in a tent/hammock, then we recommend staying at the beautiful and cosy Faukstad Farmstead, which is just across the road, The Banken Cabin and Campsite in Heidal, or the historic Heart Break Hotel, only a short 10 minute walk from our base. 

• Discounts: You will receive a 15% discount code for our river sauna and accommodation (with us) in your booking confirmation. If you have already booked sauna or accommodation you will not get this discount refunded. 

• What to bring: 2 x layers of thermal underwear and wool socks, water bottle, snacks, and sunscreen. If you do not have thermal underwear we can provide some for you. 

• Do you want to learn to roll a kayak? - join our kayak rolling course here! 

• Interested in learning more about river safety and rescue? - join the Rescue 3 Norge course here.

• Want to hike while visiting the beautiful Heidal Valley? Read our blogs about cool hikes in the area. 

“CATCH YOU ON THE WATER!”

This course entails two days of whitewater fun, Saturday to Sunday. The course starts at 09am on Saturday and ends at 14 (2pm) on Sunday. During these two days you will build a solid beginner-level foundational skill-set in whitewater kayaking, ranging from the technical paddling skills, river safety, introduction to kayak rolling, and how to read a river (hydrology). You can camp with us during the course and use our facilities which include sauna, kitchen, toilet and shower - this is all included in the price! You will be awarded you Grunnkurs Elv våttkort certificate on completion. 

What’s Included in the Course Price: 

• Camping 2x nights (Friday and Saturday) 
• Sauna 3x session (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) 
• Access to shared kitchen, toilets and showers 
• Coffee and tea during course 

Course Itinerary: 

• Day one (Saturday): 09:00 - 1600 (4pm) - two sessions on the river. 

• Day two (Sunday): 09:00 - 14:00 (2pm) - one session on the river. 

Note: You will receive more information in the booking confirmation email once you have booked the course. Please feel free to email: kontakt@madgoats.no if you have any questions. 

On this Kayak / Pack-raft Course you will Learn:

• How to navigate a class 2 river

• Safety routines on the river 

• Introduction to kayak rolling

• Theory on river currents; hydrology

• How to rescue yourself and others + river swimming and throw bagging 

• Basic paddle strokes and boat control techniques 

Duration: 2 x days / 12 hours total (approximately 6 hours each day but may be longer or shorter depending on number of participants)

Location: River Lågan. Transport provided from our school - Mad Goats Sjoa, Heidalsvegen 834, 2677 Nedre Heidal https://goo.gl/maps/zd1yQ8jZP32saG3x7

Getting here: Train to Otta (the fastest train is with SJ Nord) then bus to Faukstad - see https://innlandstrafikk.no/ If you are driving, we have parking at the kayak school. We can pick you up from Otta or Vinstra, for 499NOK. Get in touch if this is the best option for you: kontakt@madgoats.no 

Accommodation: Accommodation (camping or campervan), kitchen and toilet facilities, and sauna is included in the course price. If you want to sleep in a cabin or hotel we can recommend booking the Heartbreak Hotel, Airbnb at The Faukstad Farmstead, or at Weistad Camping in Heidal. 

Includes: Kayak and all equipment hire including drysuit or wetsuit; transport from our base at Mad Goats Sjoa to the river; NPF våttkort on completion of the course, free sauna each day after paddling and accommodation. We provide coffee and tea during the course. 

What to bring: 2 x layers of thermals and socks, 2 x towels, swimwear and a warm change of clothes.

Gift cards: All of our activities can be purchased as gift cards. Just choose the “gift card” option during the booking process.

“Catch you on the water!”