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History Alcatraz
Did you know..
Alcatraz is an old factory built in the 18th century.
Beautifully situated on an island in the Dalsland Canal which creates a large lake system, making this a unique area for water sports enthusiasts.
Alcatraz is centrally located on road 172 from Bengtsfors to Årjäng, right on the border between Dalsland (Västra Götaland) and Värmland.
The factory named “Gustavsfors Bruk” was built in 1747 for the metal industry, which was later converted to the paper industry.
The building has been used for various purposes over the years, but for the last 20 years this factory has been better known as “Alcatraz”.
A place to chill, a place to Explore
Alcatraz is an outdoor center with many possibilities:
In addition to the large number of canoes for rent, you can also rent kayaks, fishing kayaks, fishing/motorboats and mountain bikes.
In high season, Alcatraz also offers guided activities such as: wall climbing, archery, raft building and the “bush walk”.
You can stay at the campsite, in the hostel or in the apartment.
During the restaurant’s opening hours, you can eat a delicious homemade pizza, grill food at the “gourmet” or choose one of the meals with genuine Dalsland game, e.g. moose burger!
An extra service that can be booked is the canoe transport. So you can start or end your canoe/kayak adventure wherever you want!
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Feel at home on Alcatraz, where you can be who you are.
But be careful! Alcatraz will conquer your heart…
Our Story
In 2006, Bert and Ciska Knuivers moved to Sweden to follow their dream.
7 years later, daughter Nathalie and son-in-law Jonathan also came to Sweden to live an adventurous life and be part of the beautiful nature that is around.
Alcatraz has grown more and more each year and has become a household name for many.
Bert and Ciska drove the company to the top and there they have decided to leave the company to retire.
But Alcatraz has also captured their heart, so they will always be nearby.
Together, we are happy to do the little extra to be able to give our guests the holiday they dream of!
“Unleash your inner explorer with our rental services.”
The Geography
Sweden is one of Europe’s largest countries. With an area of 449,964 square kilometers is about Sweden eleven times larger than the Netherlands. From north to south, the country is 1574 kilometers long, the largest width is 500 kilometers. In the western borders Sweden to Norway, in northern Finland. The border with Norway is 1643 kilometers long, with Finland 536 kilometers. In the southwest borders Sweden to the Skagerrak and Kattegat in the east to the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. To the east lie the islands of Öland and Gotland. The coastline is 2,500 kilometers long, including bays even 7500 kilometers.
For historical reasons, Sweden to participate in three areas: South, Central and northern Sweden. South Götaland Sweden or the closest populated area. Central Svealand or Sweden is the historic heart of Sweden. Northern Sweden and Norrland covers the largest part of Sweden and is also the least densely populated. In the inhospitable part of Norrland attend flaps with their reindeer herds. The mineral wealth of this part, however, an important area for the industry.
Sweden has many lakes, some of which are among the largest in Europe (such as Vännern or Vättern and Mälaren). For the east coast are countless rocky islets (shaving), partially covered, some are completely bald. Shaving area (Archiapelago) is a popular holiday resort. The predominantly flat southern coast has a few places sandy beaches. The total number of Swedish islands is estimated at 150,000.
A long mountain chain in the northwest stretches along the border with Norway. This chain is not high, averaging 1200 meters. The highest peak is 2123 meters high Kebnekajse, west of Kiruna, the Äpartjåkko would be 27 meters higher. Typical for the country, the long hill ridges, some of which are adjacent to each other, most are covered with forests. In total, 58 per cent of the Swedish soil covered with forests. From the mountains is the landscape of the Norwegian-Swedish border to the Baltic Sea off. In this direction also flows than most rivers. Southern Sweden is gently sloping and covered with forests, meadows and fields. The sloping central Sweden has forests and lakes, but less land. The rugged northern Sweden, mountains, swamps and vast forests.
The Climate
Most of Sweden has a continental climate with cold winters and pleasant warm summers. However, there are major differences, as Sweden ranging from 55 to 69 degrees north latitude.
The southern part of the country has a maritime climate, with generally mild and humid weather. Under the influence of the warm Gulf Stream, which runs along the west coast, it is relatively warmer than elsewhere on the same latitude. The summer is just as hot as in Western Europe. Thanks to the Gulf, the average summer temperature is four degrees higher than in the Netherlands.
Central Sweden has a continental climate with cold winters and hot, dry summers. The ports in the Gulf of Bothnia freeze in the often harsh winters up. The summer months (June-August) are quite hot, Stockholm in the summer average daily temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.
Approximately one seventh of Sweden lies north of the Arctic Circle. This leads together with the mountainous location that winter temperature in the north is low.
The winter begins in late September and the temperature can drop to -40 degrees Celsius, but because the air is dry and the wind often missing is the cold but tolerable. In the summer the sun (almost) and are not subject to temperatures very comfortable heights.
Approximately one seventh of Sweden lies north of the Arctic Circle. This leads together with the mountainous location that winter temperature in the north is low.
The winter begins in late September and the temperature can drop to -40 degrees Celsius, but because the air is dry and the wind often missing is the cold but tolerable. In the summer the sun (almost) and are not subject to temperatures very comfortable heights.
The right to Access
Everyone has the right to enjoy the Swedish nature. The Swedish everyonesright is generous, but requires on the other hand prudence and responsibility of visitors. The Swedish everyonesright means freedom for everyone. Just do not abuse this right. You are not allowed to bring damage to the environment or harm animals in any way and you must respect the ground owners and other people.
Because of the protection of in the wild living animals all dogs must be leashed during the period 1 March – 20 august.
You can walk, bike, horseback riding, ski, etc. in the nature, but do not damage plants, areas with young bunch cultivation or other sensitive areas.
You must respect the personal life environment of people by non-trespassing private areas without permission of its owner.
Do not disturb nor destroy, that is the main principle of Swedish everyonesright.
You can camp one night on land which is not used for agriculture aims, unless it is located just beside a house. Request the landlords authorization if you want to camp with a group. Do not leave any garbage behind though.
You can make fire if that is possible, do not do it on bald rocks because they will burst and cause permanent damage. If it is prohibited to make fire, it means that this applies for each open fire. This is frequently the case in national parks and protected areas.
You can pick flowers, berries and mushrooms in nature, but some plants, such as all orchid types, are protected.
You can drive a snow scooter if there is no danger to damaging bunches or plots.
Take nothing but pictures & Leave nothing but footprints…..
30.000+
Islands and islets
100.000+
Lakes
7,000+
Kilometers of coastline
100
Peaks that are over 1,000 meters in height
400.000+
Kilometers of marked hiking trails
