Lakeside Cabin Retreat in Värmland (Sweden)

The three cabins, "Fyra", "Six" and "Åtta", are of equal standard, constructed in a traditional style and surrounded by deep forest ideal for exploring on foot or by mountain bike with a number of hiking possibilities right from the door. Canoes and mountain bikes are available to hire, the lake is lovely for wild swimming and there is also the possibility to play "disc golf".

• Cabin Åtta: Sleeps up to 4 persons. Just 20m from the cabin is a sandy beach with grill area, ideal for bathing. The cabin lies 200m from a small campsite with larger bathing area and there is a sauna available for your use just a few metres away. For larger families or groups of friends, a simple guest cabin next to the "Åtta" cabin can also be hired to accommodate a further 2 persons. The cabin has a wood-burning stove.
• Cabin Fyra: Located very close to the water on its own small peninsula near to the campsite bathing jetty and has its own small bathing beach/boat jetty. The cabin also sleeps up to 4 persons and has a lovely secluded veranda. As for Cabin "Åtta", there is a grill area nearby and sauna available for your use.
• Cabin Six: Sits a few metres further back from "Fyra", with a raised position offering lovely lake view. Like Cabin "Fyra", the cabin sleeps up to 4 persons in 1 x twin/double room and 1 x 2-person room with bunk beds. The east-facing veranda is ideal for summer breakfasts!

Explore the lake by rowing boat or canoe, go hiking and mountain biking in the forest or spot moose and beaver

Each cabin also comes with its own rowing boat (or canoe if preferred) included as standard. The boat can be used to explore the system of lakes in the area in search of secret picnic spots along the shores or to take advantage of the excellent fishing opportunities (see under "Fishing" below).

The dense forests of the area (known as "Finnskogen", the Finnish Forest) are home to a wide range of wildlife. You can visit the local beaver hide to go in search of the graceful and industrious beaver or roam the forests on the lookout for the majestic elk. With luck, you may even see signs and tracks left by one of Sweden's most fascinating, though also most reclusive, larger animals: the wolf.

Lakeside Cabin Retreat in Värmland offers both a tranquil forest holiday and the opportunity for a range of outdoor activities - ideal for couples, families or groups of friends where some prefer to be active while others like to take it easy!

Fishing

Located within a fishing reserve, Lakeside Cabin Retreat in Värmland is a marvellous base for fishing for pike, perch and pike-perch depending on the time of year. Fishing licences are available to purchase locally. Fishing equipment hire can be arranged locally.

Guests wishing to fish with spinning rods should have a previous working knowledge of fishing. Novice fishers are welcome to fish using basic rod and maggots and basic guidance can be provided on arrival.

Use of rowing boat

The boat included as standard is provided without motor. A motor for use with the boat is available to hire locally if required.

Please note the option to use motor is available only to guests with previous experience of and competence in driving a boat with engine.

Arrival

You will have access to your cabin from 15.00 on your arrival day. You should aim to arrive between 15.00 and 18.00. Later arrival times are also possible by prior arrangement. Please let us know your estimated arrival time in advance.

As the cabins are located in a small hamlet with no public transport connections, this experience is most easily reached by car and having a car will give you the greatest flexibility during your stay. However, taxi transfer to/from Arvika or Torsby is available as an optional extra for guests travelling by public transport - see under "Prices > Optional extras" for details.

Please let us know your arrival/departure times to/from Arvika/Torsby so that transfers can be arranged. Please note that transfer times must be booked at least four weeks before departure.

If driving, please let us know your estimated arrival and departure times to/from the cabin and also your flight arrival time and airport (if applicable).

Departure

Please check out by 12.00.

Included

Accommodation:

NB: The cabins are in a fairly remote location, approx. 1km from your host's house and around 20km from the nearest shops. The experience is accessible by public transport (see "Optional extras" below) and it is not essential to have a car, but you will require a car if you would like to make the most of the possibilities in the local area and may find a vehicle convenient during your stay.

Please let us know in advance if you have any special requirements such as cot or high chair. Bed linen is provided for guests to make up the rooms as required on arrival.

Cabin "Åtta": (+ optional guest cabin)

• Sleeps up to 4 persons in 2 bedrooms, 1 with twin beds, 1 with bunk beds.
• Small summer cabin adjacent to main cabin sleeps an additional two persons in two beds at floor level. Guest cabin has bedroom, kitchen (inc. microwave) and WC/shower (guest cabin has no TV). Total area 25 square metres + 12 square metres balcony.
• Total area approx. 45 square metres + 12 square metres balcony.
• Located just 20m from the water's edge.
• Wood-burning stove and electric radiators.
• TV.
• Bathroom with shower and WC.
• Dishwasher (dishwasher tablets can be purchased at reception).
• A sauna is available for your use just a few metres from the cabin.
• Fully-equipped kitchen including microwave.
• Washing machine available (only during period 15th June-15th September). NB: Please note that one wash per week is included as standard. There is a small charge locally for additional use.
• BBQ (charcoal can be purchased at reception).
• Own rowing boat (or canoe if preferred): Linder 440 aluminium fishing boat with buoyancy aids (2-3 person canoe can also be chosen as alternative to boat if preferred). The boat is suitable for 4-5 persons. The boats are in the three larger lakes and are ideal both for general leisure use to explore the lakes and for fishing. A map covering the whole fishing area and "deep maps" for the three larger lakes are also included.
• Located 1km from your hosts' house.
• This cabin does not have wi-fi.

Cabin "Fyra":

• Sleeps up to 4 adults (family of 5 may also be possible by arrangement) in 2 bedrooms, 1 with twin beds, 1 with bunk beds. One of the bunk beds is standard size, one larger.
• Located on its own small peninsula just a few metres from the water's edge.
• Free wi-fi.
• Other specifications as per Cabin "Åtta" above, except that Cabin "Fyra" does not have wood-burning stove.

Cabin "Six":

• Sleeps up to 4 adults in 2 bedrooms, 1 with twin beds, 1 with standard bunk beds.
• Located in elevated position close to the water with lake view.
• Free wi-fi.
• Other specifications as per Cabin "Åtta" above, except that Cabin "Six" does not have wood-burning stove.
• A sauna is available for use down by the water approx. 25-50m from the cabin. Use is shared with another small cabin nearby.

Information:

Your host will meet you for welcome meeting giving useful information for your stay on the morning following your arrival.

Other:

End cleaning of the cabin on departure.

Not Included

• Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
• Food: The cabins are fully-equipped for self-catering. The nearest shop is 20km away, 15 min by car. NB: Please note if you choose not to have a car during your stay that you must have ALL provisions with you before leaving Arvika. There are no facilities where the cabins are located. Time can be allowed in Arvika to shop for provisions before pick-up. See "Optional extras" below for information on transfers if travelling by public transport.
• Additional equipment available to hire locally such as mountain bikes, canoes and fishing gear.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

You should have general good health - guests of all ages are welcome. The summer is most suitable for families. In spring and autumn the weather can be rougher on the water and we recommend warm clothes.

What makes this "Easy"?

As a self-catering cabin experience, there is great flexibility to make your stay as relaxing or active as you wish, but any activities are optional. Level of challenge of activities will vary.

NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.

Equipment/clothes needed:

For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".

A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.

Preparing for your trip:

For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.

Combine This With

This experience makes a good combination with the following:

• Canoe Tours in Bergslagen (7 or 14 days, 1.5 hours by car or 2.5 hours by public transport)
• Canoe Tours on Klarälven (4-7 days, 1.5 hours by car or 2.5 hours by public transport)
• Canoe Tours on Rottnan/Röjdån (4 days, 45 mins by transfer from cabins to/from Torsby)
• Canoe Tours on Svartälven (4, 7 or 14 days, 1.5 hours by car or 2.5 hours by public transport)
• Timber Rafting on Klarälven (5 or 8 days, 1.5 hours by car or 2.5 hours by public transport)

Groups

Groups or families travelling together are very welcome to hire both cabins, which together can accommodate up to 8 (+2 including guest cabin) persons.

Eco Info

This host has received a prestigious Swedish Ecotourism award for commitment to high standards to cultural and environmental sensitivity.

Finnskogen:

The "Finnskogen", or Finnish Forest, is the name given to a large area of forest covering parts of Värmland and extending across the border into Norway.

The forest is named after the immigrant settlers who came to the area in the 1600s from Finland (then part of Kingdom of Sweden) to make their living from agriculture.

Today the forest is an excellent area for outdoor activities as well as important habitat for a wide range of Swedish fauna, including elk, deer, woodland birds and hare.

"Having our own canoe for a whole week was fantastic! And the cabin itself was lovely, especially how close it was to the water, with the garden and platforms by the water's edge. Totally amazing. We had an absolutely fantastic time at Fyra cabin. The cabin itself was perfect and we loved having our own canoe. The kids were completely inspired by all the adventures to islands, swimming, walks in the forest, not to mention bbqs and all the wildlife! We loved it so much we are almost tempted to book straight away for next year. Thanks so much for a great holiday." Nicky, Cabin Fyra

"We stayed very well and loved the quiet and the area. We could really have stayed for one more week. Amazing nature and lakes. We look forward to our next adventure." Riccardo