It’s one of Sweden’s best-kept secrets. Just a two-hour scenic drive from Stockholm, you’ll find the country’s highest concentration of bears, hidden among the forests and waterways of the Gävleborg region – Sweden’s most accessible wilderness. And, alongside a night spent in an exclusive hide, you’ll stay in a boutique farmhouse, complete with floating sauna and Jacuzzi. In between included half-board dining, there’s also plenty of time to take in the area’s charming villages and gorgeous countryside on hikes and kayak paddles.
Bear watching in Sweden
To book call us on:
At a glance…
A unique wildlife experience paired with rural Sweden at its charming best, showcased with a boutique farmhouse stay and half-board local dining
» 4 day tailor-made break
» Price from: £1,030
Day by day itinerary
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Day 1 » UK/Åmot
Flying into Stockholm, pick up your hire car for the scenic drive north. Weaving among lakes and old-growth forests, perhaps pause at Gävle’s 19th-century old town or Färnebofjärden National Park’s riverside walks. There’s also the option of taking the train and transfer. Whatever you choose, you’ll arrive at your historic clapboard accommodation, host to just six rooms. Each is a delight of parquet floors and curated artwork. You’ll also begin your included half-board meals with a three-course dinner, showcasing the best in local, seasonal ingredients. It’s all set on a forested lake near the quiet Swedish village of Åmot, with views taken in by a floating sauna and outdoor Jacuzzi.
Stay: Stilleben
Meals: Dinner
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Day 2 » Day at leisure
By its very nature, Stilleben encourages you to unwind and explore its wilderness setting, its waters and woods showcased on the likes of canoe trips, hikes and horse rides. Of course, it’s all capped by dips in the sauna and Jacuzzi. Don’t also miss out on the region’s myriad of cottage industries, promoting local food culture and traditional crafts, including växbolin textiles. Lastly, there are the UNESCO-listed cottages of Hälsingland – 19th-century farmhouses resplendent in vibrant colours.
Stay: Stilleben
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 3 » Bear watching
After a leisurely morning, you’ll meet with your bear-watching host, Sara Wennerqvist. A photographer and wildlife expert, she’ll explain what to expect and look out for over coffee and a filling lunch-style sandwich. You’ll then be brought out into the wilderness to the cosy beds of your private timber cabin hide, where Sara will leave you with dinner and excited expectations. Alongside the bears, you can expect everything from badgers and red squirrels to woodpeckers and golden eagles. It’s a truly privileged experience, with sightings maximised by the long days of the Swedish summer, which extend into the Midnight Sun.
Stay: Wild Nordic Bear Hide
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 4 » Depart for UK
In the morning you will be collected and bought back to the homestead for a Scandi-style buffet breakfast and the opportunity to regal Sara with your sightings. If you’ve been up late watching, you’ll have the chance to take a nap before retracing the scenic route back to Stockholm and your flight home. Consider extending your trip with a stay among the Swedish capital’s island heritage and vibrant design scene.
Meals: Breakfast
To book call us on:
At a glance…
A unique wildlife experience paired with rural Sweden at its charming best, showcased with a boutique farmhouse stay and half-board local dining
» 4 day tailor-made break
» Price from: £1,030
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