High summer heat in beautiful Glaskogen

There are few places as typically Värmland as Glaskogen. Here, just west of Arvika, a vast nature reserve spreads out with deep forests, glittering lakes, and miles-long hiking trails, perfect for both beginners and experienced hikers. The terrain varies between forest land, elevated areas, and a large number of lakes. The area is well known for its many marked hiking trails, which together stretch over 300 kilometres. For those planning a longer hike, there are shelters, fire pits, and simple overnight cabins scattered throughout the area. Camping is permitted, but is best done in conjunction with the designated spots or at the campsite in Lenungshammar. Our first hiking trip together was actually in Glaskogen. That time we camped, which you can read about. here. Instead, it turned into a trip with our motorhome.

We lived on Glaskogen Wilderness Campsite. An incredibly picturesque campsite for motorhomes and caravans where you get your own little glade with your own fireplace. Many pitches also have a lake view. If you are curious about the campsite, you can read more on our other page, barely steering speed. The campsite was a good base for our hikes and even though not all trails start from there, you get a map with some tips on various day trips when you check in.

Glaskogen is Värmland's largest nature reserve and, as mentioned, it has plenty of hiking trails. One tip is to buy a map of Glaskogen and use it to keep track of where you are, as you shouldn't expect to have mobile coverage all the time. The area is also so large that during the low season you can hike all day without meeting anyone on the trails. We chose to only do day trips and usually followed the routes we were tipped off about when we checked in at the campsite. Shelters are all very well and good, but when it is close to zero on the thermometer at night, it is still quite nice to crawl under a warm duvet after a full day's hike.

The trails are well-maintained and mostly easy to walk. As there is active forestry in large parts of the nature reserve, there were occasionally areas that could best be described as clear-felled, which was a bit disappointing. However, for the majority of our hikes, there were beautiful views and mossy forests. Especially beautiful now in spring when the trees are starting to bud and wood anemones are blooming.

One of the days we first took a slightly shorter trip in the morning and then looked for Café Carl which is a short walk from the campsite. The café, which is only open midday at this time of year (spring), has a remarkably ambitious menu, offering everything from slow-roasted elk sirloin to Arctic char fillet. If you just fancy a coffee and cake, they have delicious pastries, ice cream, and waffles. With our stomachs full after a hearty lunch, we were now able to head out on new adventures again. 🙂

We said it last time we were here, and we'll say it again. We're coming back! This time, it won't be another eight years before we return; in fact, we're already planning to go back this summer. Then, we want to rent a canoe and paddle out across the still lakes. It looks so pleasant when someone glides slowly across the water on an otherwise mirror-smooth lake. This time, we actually chickened out because the water is still so cold. Not that we intended to fall in, but you never know. So keep an eye out, perhaps another post about Glaskogen will be coming soon, but this time with the headline "Rendahls on the high seas." In the meantime, you'll have to make do with a few more pictures from the beautiful forest.