Värmland

Värmland is one giant nature attraction. 10,000 lakes dot the forested landscape here and Sweden’s longest river, the Klarälven river, splits the province down the middle before flowing into one of Europe’s largest lakes, Vänern, near the city of Karlstad.

Go with the flow

Bond (literally) with family and friends on a timber-rafting trip down the Klarälven river. You get to build your own raft with the help of an expert and then you float at 3 kmph downriver. 

Another watery adventure is the Glaskogen nature reserve of vast forests and 80 lakes. And, of course the best way to experience it is from a canoe. You can take a 7-day canoe trip here spending the night in a tent, or overnight cabin. Deep forest, shimmering lakes, fishing and peace and quiet. 

If you prefer dry land and bit more civilization check out the Klarälvsbanan cycle path and Klarälvsleden hiking trail, a combined 210 km of cycling and hiking from Hammarö in the south of the province, stretching into the north, via Karlstad, the capital of the province. Expect forest, river and countryside, dotted with small towns for eats and sightseeing. Find out more about hiking in Värmland on the Värmlandsleder website

What about a spot of doing zilch beside a lake? One of the best places to do must be at Naturbyn near Säffle in the south of the province. You stay in an ecologically-built wooden cabin with no electricity, the cooking is communal, as is the wood-fired sauna. 

One of Europe's biggest lakes 

Sweden's biggest lake (and one of Europe's biggest lakes), Lake Vänern, contains 22,000 islands, islets and skerries and canoeing and kayaking are popular activities here. As the lake is so big it almost feels like the sea and you can swim and fish here too. 

You can take a boat cruise to the islands of Lurö. The Lurö archipelago is famous far beyond Sweden for its beautiful natural surroundings and distinctive fauna. On Lurö, right in the middle of Lake Vänern, you even stay overnight! 

A bit of culture

The culture of pampering and relaxation that is. Visit Sweden’s first spa at Selma Spa+ in the town of Sunne. Here you get some forty treatments, a fab fitness centre and good eats. And lots of relaxation. The other culture? How about world famous author Selma Lagerlöf, the first winner of the Nobel prize for literature in 1909. You can visit her beautiful home at Mårbacka in Sunne. Continuing the literary theme, you can also visit the former home of Swedish national poet Gustaf Fröding at Alsters Herrgård just outside Karlstad. And talking of Karlstad do visit the fabulous Värmland Museum, and behind it the Lars Lerin Museum.

At the well-known linen weaving mill in Klässbol, cloths and napkins are woven mechanically and manually for delivery to the royal court, embassies and the Nobel banquet.  

The city of Karlstad lies on the river delta where two of Sweden’s great natural waterways meet; the 500 km long Klara river and the mighty Lake Vänern, with its archipelago of 22,000 islands. 

The white moose in Värmland

The white moose in Värmland is now famous world wide since video footage went viral during 2017. Although sightings are rare, specimens can occasionally be spotted in the western and northern parts of Värmland. See the video of the white moose in Värmland