Known as “Sweden’s wildest hotel,” Kolarbyn Eco Lodge offers an off-grid wilderness escape near Skinnskatteberg, Sweden. The lodge sits in a spruce forest beside Lake Skärsjön in the historic Bergslagen region. There is no electricity or running water, creating a simple stay focused on nature.
Guests chop firewood, collect drinking water from a forest spring and prepare meals over open fires.
They can also unwind in a wood-fired floating sauna on the lake. Accommodation includes traditional charcoal huts and cozy timber cabins.
Located about two hours from Stockholm, the lodge offers a peaceful digital detox in the Swedish wilderness. The experience encourages guests to slow down, disconnect and embrace a simpler way of living.
Their story
Kolarbyn reflects Bergslagen’s long history of charcoal making and iron production. Charcoal burners once lived in simple forest huts while tending kilns throughout the surrounding woodlands.
Skinnskatteberg Municipality built twelve charcoal huts beside Lake Skärsjön in 1996. The project preserved traditional building techniques while creating an open-air museum.
Kolarbyn entered private ownership in 2004 and began welcoming overnight guests. Malin Bruce became the lodge’s third owner in 2017. Today, she manages Kolarbyn with a focus on environmental sustainability and cultural preservation. An annual charcoal-making event keeps local traditions alive with charcoal makers and forestry students. Read more about them.
Sustainability actions
Lowest impact construction and operation
- The accommodations are built as traditional forest charcoal huts (kolarkojor) and a rustic timber cabin (lumberjack cottage).
- Inside, the huts feature simple wooden bunk beds fitted with inflatable sleeping pads and soft sheepskin rugs, alongside traditional wood-burning stoves for heating. Modern insulation standards, sustainable fittings, or synthetic construction materials are not used.
Highest level of energy efficiency
- Kolarbyn Eco Lodge operates entirely off-grid with an extremely low-energy strategy. There is absolutely no electricity available on-site. Guests cannot charge mobile phones or electric vehicles, and the lodge does not use solar panels, heat pumps, or modern energy-efficient appliances.
- Candles are used exclusively for lighting.
- Heating is provided by traditional wood-burning fireplaces inside each hut, and guests chop their own firewood to heat both their accommodations and the lakeside floating sauna.
- Cooking is done entirely over open fire pits.
Pioneer in waste management
- Kolarbyn follows strict recycling practices and avoids disposable products and single-use plastics.
- Since 2018, guests have used reusable plates, cups and utensils instead of disposable alternatives.
- Staff sort glass, plastic, metal and paper on-site, while food waste goes to compost.
- Guests take bulky packaging, cans and bottles home when possible to reduce transport needs.
- Composting toilets handle sanitation and eventually return waste to the soil.
Using organic and chemical-free products
- Kolarbyn offers a self-serve organic breakfast, with ingredients stored in a non-electric breakfast pantry. Guests prepare their own meals over an open fire, using items like fresh bread, sustainable milk, eggs, flour, juices, jams, cereals, and oats.
- For dinner, guests can book a basket filled with locally sourced and organic ingredients, including wraps, cheeses, crackers, sausage, grapes, chocolate, and cider.
- A ‘forest pantry’ provides durable, non-perishable ingredients such as eggs, root vegetables, flour, pasta, and canned sauces.
Actively protects nature and community
- Kolarbyn limits guest numbers to protect local ecosystems and teaches visitors to respect wildlife and Sweden’s Right of Public Access.
- The lodge supports local environmental projects and belongs to several conservation and heritage organizations.
- It uses local timber for its annual charcoal kiln, supporting forest management and preserving regional traditions.
- Kolarbyn also works with local suppliers, hires nearby staff and trains ecotourism interns.
Most Popular Activities Near Kolarbyn Eco Lodge
- Chopping firewood
- Learning how to build and maintain a fire
- Cooking meals and breakfast over an open fire
- Collecting fresh water from the forest spring
- Exploring the surrounding forest
- Hiking and forest walks
- Berry and mushroom picking in season
- Swimming and dipping in Lake Skärsjön
- Wood-fired floating sauna and private sauna sessions
- Canoeing and rowboat trips
- Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) on request
- Fishing kayak on request
- Fishing in Skärsjön with a fishing permit
- Running and cycling routes nearby
- Relaxing, nature observation, and digital detox experiences
- Bushcraft, Fire & Outdoor Cooking courses
- Wilderness Riding (guided forest tours on Icelandic horses)
- Guided beaver, moose, and wolf safaris
Best Time To Visit Kolarbyn Eco Lodge
- The best time to visit Kolarbyn Eco Lodge is from April to November, which aligns with their operational season for organic breakfasts and outdoor activities. Specifically, the summer months of June to August are ideal for enjoying lake-based activities like swimming, canoeing, and wildlife safaris under long, mild days, while the autumn months of September and October are perfect for forest foraging, vibrant foliage, and cozying up next to the wood-burning stoves.