Hike, canoe, bike, camp. A couple of hours, days or weeks. Glaskogen offers 28 000 amazing wilderness, beautiful lakes and may different types of animals and plants. The nature reserve spans over 4 municipalities – Arvika, Eda, Säffle and Årjäng but the largest part is located in Arvika.

Lenungshammar

Lenungshammar is the heart of the reserve. During the summers there is an information centre with competent personell, minishop, canoe-, kayak-, and boatrentals as well as a campsite, wildernesscamping and a servicestation with showers and cleaning facilities.

Glaskogen card

When you visit Glaskogen you will need to purchase a GlaskogencardThe card gives you free access to windshelters, cabins, fireplaces with wood and toilets and more of what Glaskogen has to offer. The money that you spend on the card will go directly back into the reserve and it’s maintenance so that it can remain one of Swedens beautiful hiking destinations! The card is free for children 16 and under!
The Glaskogencard can be purchased amongst other places at Arvika Tourist Information Centre, the Infocenter and Lenungshammar and on Glaskogens website.

Maps, and suggestions for trips and tours

A detailed map of the nature reserve with hiking and canoe trails, shelters and facilities can be purchased for 149 SEK. The map is available at Arvika Tourist Information Centre, Information Centre in Lenungshammar, ICA Glava and online: Glaskogens hemsida.

There is also a leaflet available for 49 SEK with suggestions for shorter or longer tours in the area.

Would you like to order the map or leaflet? No problem – we can help you! You can see the prices including portage and order your maps by following the link “Order maps” below:

Wildlife camping

In Lenungshammar there is one of two wildlife campings in Sweden. Here you will find sites for caravans spread out in woods, as well as experiencing the feeling of being completely secluded in the middle of nature. If you look between the trees, you might be able to spot a neighbour not so far away. This will give you the exciting feeling of wildlife camping, but it will still keep you feeling safe.

At the camping there are 63 caravans sites with electricity and apx. 50 tent sites which are situated next to a little pond close to the Informationcentre. For those who wish to stay a little more comfortably there are simple cabins as well as cabins equipped with modern appliances. Read more in our article about Glaskogens camping.

Cabin rental

Would you like to rent a more comfortable cabin? Glaskogen is full of cabins spread out in all of the reserve. Several of them are close to Lenungshammar where there is a servicestation as well as shower-and washing-facilities.

Glaskogen also mediates privately owned cabins within the Nature Reserve.

Canoe, kayak and rowing boat

If you want to discover Glaskogen by water you should rent a canoe, or a boat at Lenungshammar. In the area there are many good canoe trails, that will impress even the most experienced of canoeists. The canoes are available to rent for a couple of hours, or a few days. Included in the price to rent a canoe is a canoe trailer, paddles, life vests and a sponge. It is also possible to rent extra equipment. Rowing boats can be rented for 6h, 24h or a week.

The small gravel roads in the nature reserve are perfect for biking and give cyclists the advantage to experience the surrounding nature when biking along the lakes (Please consider that the hiking trails are designated only for hikers).

Read more about the canoes, kayaks and boats in Glaskogen on the webpage by clicking on Experience, or use the button below.

Fishing

To fish in Glaskogen you will need to acquire a fishing card. There is a card designated for the over 80 lakes and ponds in and around the reserve. During the winters you can still fish by jigging. At the information center in Lenungshammar there is equipment to purchase. There is also a fishing pier adapted for people living with disabilities at lake Lilla Rämmingen and at Övre Gla in Sigfridstorp.

You can purchase the fishing card amongst other places at Arvika Tourist Information Centre, the Informationcenter at Lenungshammar, on Glaskogens homepage and via www.ifiske.se. www.ifiske.se.

Species of Fish: amongst other species there are pike, perch, pikeperch, salmon, herring, char fish, burbot, whitefish, carp, smelt and eel.

Café Carl

At Café Carl on Herrgårdsbacken in Lenungshammar you can throughout the summers eat and enjoy the amazing atmosphere, either in front of the fireplace on a rainy day or outdoors in the sunshine. The café is situated walking distance from the camp site and informationcenter, so trip usually becomes a daily occurrence for most of the Glaskogen visitors.

One of Glaskogens most popular trails Naturstig that starts here, and is perfect for those on the hunt for a short and sweet trip and those with buggies. During the autumn of 2017 H.R.H Crownprincess Victoria visited Glaskogen for one of her hikes through Sweden, and walked this very trail. The trail is approximately 5 km long and has several infopoints that explain the geological and historic sights along the path.

History

The nature reserve is run by the Glaskogen Foundation and consists of the 4 Foundationmunicipalities Arvika, Eda, Säffle and Årjäng, as well as Lenungshammar which is the heart of the reserve. In Lenungshammar there is also an informationcentre, a beautiful wildlife camping as well as a camping ground, canoe rentals, Café Carl and a service/convenience shop.

Glaskogen is home to many old remnants, ancient monuments such as settlements from the stone ages and traps that are spread out in the nature reserve. During the 1600s many Finish people came to Sweden took over a part of the country. They cleared a lot of the land with help from slash-and burn agriculture this is why a big part of Glaskogen is called “Finnskogen”. Glaskogen is also known for its labour traditions in the shape of several iron and coppersmiths as well as a sawmill. At lake Stora Gla a glassfactory called Glava Glasbruk was built during the 1850s. The glass became very famous and can be viewed today in it’s own museum.