Roughing it up had never been this, er, rough, in Sweden’s Kolarbyn Eco Lodge. Dubbed as the most primitive lodging in the Europe, Kolarbyn is a unique hotel that is geared towards environmental consciousness. The operator of the eco-lodge is an environmental organization called Wild Sweden. The group is proud of the huts that are purposefully set in the middle of the wilderness. The triangular hut is made of wood with green growth on its sides and a small chimney on top. A cozy sleeping quarter can be found in the archaic structure. There’s a fireplace to provide illumination and heat for the guests who must be responsible for keeping the fire going. Two beds covered with animal fur are propped against each diagonal wall.
The materials used for each hut are 100% natural. Every little component of the hotel was done the environmentally-friendly way and part of the hotel’s proceeds toes to efforts in the conservation of its surroundings. Part of Kolarbyn’s aims is to be a leading eco-tourism player and thus gives emphasis to low carbon footprint in is operations. The establishment has already been recognized by the Swedish Ecotourism Society with the Nature’s Best label since 2004. It also won the Grand Travel Award for an ecotourism company in 2009.
The lodges are strategically built under large trees in forests that surround the Skärsjön Lake. The crystal clear lake provides activities for the visitors such as fishing, canoeing and swimming. The boats are run by batteries which are recharged on hydro powered electricity. Guests can pick firewood from the forest but they don’t really have to forage for food. A restaurant hut which bears the same eco theme is one of the features of the Kolarbyn Ecolodge. The eatery provides the conveniences of a modest meal which can be seen as romantic under the candle-lit setting.
The best time to visit the nature park is during Sweden’s summer season. Kolarbyn Ecolodge provides wild life tours where guests are given information about the different creatures that live in the forest. Winter months can also be as exciting as guests can be taken on an exciting wolf-tracking adventure and find the Arctic Fox in a four-day hike to the mountains. The guides will explain the various projects Wild Sweden as well as the importance of maintaining the ecosystem for the people and animals alike.