Kolarbyn Ecolodge is called Sweden's most primitive hotel
“No electricity, no showers, nothing fancy at all, just natural mysteriousness. And that is precisely why you will love this place!”
Kolarbyn is a place to stay... but not a hotel.
Kolarbyn is a place to experience nature... but not a park.
When you first arrive at Kolarbyn, you are greeted by pine, spruce and birch trees, a proper wild forest on the shores of a pristine lake. Everything is green here. But if you look closer, nestled amongst the trees, you will find twelve little cabins. Well camouflaged, covered in mud and grass. Bilberries and mushrooms grow wild on their roofs.
Kolarbyn is an ecolodge in its truest sense. One guest called them mud-holes, someone else hobbit houses. The huts can’t speak, so we don’t know what they prefer. We simply call them forest huts. Back in the day, forest workers used to stay in these. They're authentic.
Life here connects us...to nature, to our past, to each other.
Fetch water from the spring, cook your meals over an open fire and wander the mossy woods spotting birds and other wild creatures. You're a guest in their living room and it's oh so wonderful.
As darkness falls, close the door to your little hut, and drift off to sleep on soft sheep skins to the sounds of the forest and the crackling fireplace.
Wake up at your leisure, get a fire going for some breakfast and ponder how to spend your day. Explore the tranquil lake and the surrounding forest in a canoe. Go for a wild swim and enjoy the floating sauna. Stroll around the woods looking for mushrooms, berries and edible plants, or head out for a longer hike in the endless forest. In the evenings you'll join our wildlife guides for exciting and inspiring excursions to see moose and beavers.
Staying three nights at Kolarbyn is included in our Kolarbyn Ecolodge Wildlife Adventure.
Kolarbyn has a very intriguing past, you can read the true story here.
A truly unique way to experience nature’s wonders
Nature lovers from all over the world come to stay a few nights. Why?
Charming authentic charburners' huts in a beautiful wild Swedish forest
Living simply, in harmony with the nature around you
Watching moose, beavers, wolves and other wildlife in their natural habitat
Hiking, canoeing, wild swimming, fishing and foraging
Peace, quiet and late nights by the camp fire
A very special time spent with friends or family
Where is Kolarbyn?
Kolarbyn Ecolodge is located in the forest in Skinnskatteberg, just a two hours drive from Stockholm. You won’t need a car as you can easily get here by public transport.
There are twelve forest huts, not far from each other. You can always see the next hut. Photo: Mikaela Larm
One of the twelve forest huts at Kolarbyn Ecolodge. You lift off the door to enter. Moss and berries is growing on the roofs.
Two beds with sheep skins for sleeping bags, and a fire place to keep you warm. What else do you need?
Can I really sleep there?
Each forest hut has two beds and a fire place. Wooden beds. No spongy mattress. But with layers of insulated airmats covered with sheep skin rugs. Comfy, but not as soft as your own bed at home.
Roll out your sleeping bag. Lay down. Close your eyes. Fall asleep to the sound of the crackling fire.
>> Frequently asked questions about Kolarbyn
If you are a family of three, just ask for an extra bed. If you are a family of four or more we have one family hut, or you will need two huts close to each other.
Morning magic
I just woke up! What time is it?
Doesn’t matter. Just take is slow. Listen… the birds are singing. Take a deep breath. Ask a tree what's truly important in life.
Put your boots on. Light a fire, boil some coffee or herbal tea. Then a refreshing swim in the lake.
It's a new day for adventures! But you don’t have to be adventurous. Kolarbyn is a place for regular nature loving people like you and me. Adventures can be small, slow and safe.
The fire place is where it all happens. You won’t need wifi. Instead connect with nature. Remember we are all part of nature.
Canoe to the floating sauna. Photo: Inez Davidson
floating sauna? Of course
Kolarbyn is located by Skärsjön, my favorite lake in Sweden.
Hop in for a swim
Catch some fish
Circle the lake on foot
Go exploring by canoe
Relieve some stress in the floating sauna and recharge yourself with an envigorating dip
Cook outside, or cook in here. This is the communal building. A place to sit down and talk.
What do we eat?
When you feel hungry, just visit the small food shed and help yourself to anything you like. cYou will find basic groceries like pasta, tomato sauce, bread, müsli, fruits, eggs, pancake mix, coffee, tea, some fresh vegetables, spices, oil, and syrup for your yummy berry drink.
Most of the food items are organic. Use these as ingredients for your breakfast, lunch and evening meals.
Remember, there is no kitchen, you prepare your meals over an open fire. We provide pans, plates, knives and much more. It's easy to survive at Kolarbyn, and our hosts are here to help. You'll love your new routine of chopping wood, fetching water and cooking under the open sky!
We'll eat some of the meals together during our evening wildlife safaris. Delicious wraps made with local and organic ingredients, Amy's home-baked cookies, coffee and tea, even a beer from the local microbrewery if you like.
How to boil coffe over open fire
Find an axe and swing it
Chop some fire wood
Get fresh water from the natural spring
Start a fire, just like that
Pour water and add some handfuls of ground coffee into a pan
Wait for boiling (you’ll see steam coming out from the pipe)
Pour into a mug
Enjoy with passion. Its organic and fair trade.
Pee behind any tree, but not on the berries!
Kolarbyn has two tidy little toilet sheds, with framed pictures of the Swedish King Carl-Gustav and Elton John (don’t ask). Flush with soil. Wash your hands in water from the stream and some natural soap.
