New visitor facilities in Tresticklan National Park in Dalsland
Tresticklan National Park in Dalsland is one of four national parks in West Sweden, as well as being one of Sweden’s largest forested areas with no roads or settlements. It provides unbroken wilderness and exciting hiking in the country bordering Norway. The national park has been upgraded with new facilities, including a new main entrance, a new car park, new toilets, new information boards, a small visitor centre and an accessible circular walk.
New accommodation available at Dalslands Moose Ranch close to Tresticklan National Park
The Moose Ranch in Dals Ed in Dalsland, just 20 minutes away from Tresticklan National Park, is now offering accommodation in the form of two cabins on the borders of the park. A larger one, the Moose Cabin, is equipped with kitchen and toilet, and sleeps six. Its cosy interior reflects the Swedish forest and animals surrounding it. The smaller cabin, the Pine Cone Shelter, has fewer facilities. It sleeps two and is perfect for anyone wanting a more rustic, but still snug, back to basics experience.
Winter paddling in West Sweden is a unique experience. The archipelago is still and quiet, so you really feel like you’re living in the moment. And you can also go paddling in Sweden’s largest lake, Vänern. Naven Outdoor offers guided tours all year round in both the Vänern archipelago and around Läckö Castle. Maybe you’d like to try an atmospheric full moon paddle, or dark night paddling?
Of course it’s an activity that requires the right knowledge and equipment. In West Sweden there are plenty of businesses providing guided tours and drysuits for anyone wanting to encounter the natural world from a kayak during winter too, often in combination with accommodation and other more toasty experiences like saunas and hot tubs.
A new boutique hotel in Gothenburg with a Miami inspired pool club
Jacy’z Hotel is new a landmark in Gothenburg right by the Ullevi stadium, Sweden’s largest outdoor arena. This spectacular 100 metre high resort hotel opened at the beginning of November and has 233 rooms, several restaurants, a sky bar and a Miami inspired pool club on the 27th and 28th floors. To add to the fun, a multiplex theatre and an outdoor rooftop pool will be completed in spring 2023.
A new Pilgrim Path starting in the centre of Gothenburg has been launched
The new Pilgrim Path Göta Älv stretches between Gothenburg and Vänersborg and is 130 kilometres long, divided into ten stages. The first stage starts at Masthugget Church in the centre of town and takes people through historic Gothenburg. It’s a route that’s packed with everything hikers could want – varied landscapes, lots of views, proximity to food places and accommodation, and a rich cultural heritage in the shape of medieval churches, museums, mills, stone bridges and even a Buddhist temple.
The winners of Stepping up Sustainability Organisation of the Year 2022
Stepping up Sustainability Organisation of the Year is awarded to a municipal initiative and a tourism business that has demonstrated the four basic principles of Stepping up Sustainability (As little unnecessary environmental impact as possible, Good for both residents and visitors, More visitors when and where places are not full and More full-time jobs and more resilient businesses) in an exemplary fashion.
The tourism business category was won by Wrågården in Falköping in Västergötland. Wrågården was originally a traditional family farm but has expanded to include a raft of other facilities and activities including a restaurant, moose park, moose hotel, a bison breeding programme, football golf, padel tennis, beer and whisky tastings, conferences, farm shop and cafe.
Platåbergens Geopark was the winner in the municipal category. Platåbergens Geopark is Sweden’s first Unesco Global Geopark. This means that the table mountain region contains geological sites and landscapes that are considered unique and of international importance by the UN organisation Unesco. The Geopark’s total area stretches over nine municipalities and contains a total of fifteen different plateau mountains.
You can find out more about West Sweden’s joint initiative for a sustainable tourism industry here below.
Christmas is almost upon us and in 2022 there are lots of festive Christmas markets in West Sweden to delight in, both well-established ones that were around before the pandemic, and new ones. If you’d like to know more about Swedish Christmas traditions and the cosy Christmas Markets and extra special Christmas Buffets you can enjoy here, follow the link below.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2023!
