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Sweden’s vast forests and rolling mountains are home to a huge diversity of animals, few as elusive and mysterious as the Brown Bear, perhaps the most magical of Sweden’s Big Five predators and a timeless symbol of the wild.

What kind of bears are there in Sweden?

The bears which inhabit the forests and mountains of Sweden are Brown Bears, Ursus arctos. In the wild, a male can weigh as much as 350 kg and a female up to 240 kg.

Are there any polar bears in Sweden?

No! The nearest polar bears are in Spitsbergen in Norway, almost 1000 miles north of Stockholm.

How many Brown Bears are there in Sweden?

The Brown Bear is a shy, secretive animal, and very rarely seen. Most Swedes, even those living in the areas most densely inhabited by bears, will go their whole lives without ever seeing one in the wild. Population estimates are therefore extremely difficult. However, there are a number of ongoing research projects aiming to better understand the Swedish Brown Bear and plan effectively for its conservation and management. A 2004 study by the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project put the Swedish population at somewhere between 1635 and 2840 individuals, with an annual rise in population of 4.7%.

Which parts of Sweden have Brown Bears?

Brown bears are widely distributed across the northern half of the country, with particular concentrations in certain areas. There is some evidence to suggest that their range is increasing. The Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project survey in 2004 yielded the following distribution data:

What do Brown Bears eat?

Brown bears are omnivorous – they eat a wide range of foods from berries to bees to voles. Brown Bears may also hunt and catch larger animals, including moose. In the summer, their main food consists of ants, which they dig up from the large anthills found in the forests. They also eat the roots, shoots and buds of a number of plants.

Do Swedish Brown Bears hibernate?

Yes. During the autumn, Brown Bears fatten up on the raspberries, crowberries, cloudberries and blueberries which carpet the Swedish forest floor in preparation for hibernation. A good year for berries is also a good year for bears! Once they have built up sufficient fat reserves to see them through the long cold winter ahead, they then collect moss and twigs to make their hibernation den, which may be in a disused anthill or perhaps a spot at the foot of a large fir tree.

When do Brown Bears have their cubs?

Brown Bear cubs are born in the den during the winter, in litters of 1-4. Though naked, blind and helpless when they are born (weighing just 300-400g), they grow quickly on a diet of rich milk and by the time they are 6 months old are ready to leave their mother and make a life for themselves.

Are Brown Bears hunted in Sweden?

In the past, bear hunting was common, but today the Brown Bear is a protected species in Sweden, though licences can be granted to hunt particular individuals.

What should I do if I meet a Brown Bear in Sweden?

That depends on where you are (and where the bear is!) when you see it. If you are in a car or other vehicle, then simply relax and count yourself incredibly lucky that you are enjoying a rare and privileged glimpse into the life of Sweden’s largest predator.

Bear cubs are irresistably cute, but if you see a cub, resist the urge to approach it or try to take photos – the protective mother will be close by and may not understand your friendly intentions!

If you are camping in an area where there are bears, don’t leave food waste around your campsite. Bears have a keen sense of smell and it is important that Sweden’s bears remain shy and wild – associating the presence of humans with food would be catastrophic for Swedish bears and potentially dangerous for campers.

Brown Bears mate between May and June, and during this period bears are active both at night and during daylight hours. Young males are searching for females at this time and cover long distances in their search, while last year’s cubs are making their first independent forays into the world.

Young bears, like all young animals, are very curious creatures, and may not have learnt to be as wary of danger as adult bears. Make sure they notice you by talking loudly, and then slowly withdraw from the area.

There is a very slim chance you may meet a bear if you are out in the forest picking berries (as the bears love berries too!), though the chances are that they will have heard or smelt you and decided to leave long before you arrive. If not, once again, talk loudly to show your presence and leave the area slowly.

If you find a bear at rest or perhaps eating a kill, it is important that the bear does not perceive you as a threat to its food. Stand as tall as you can, speak loudly and retrace your steps slowly. Do not run.

Almost all dangerous incidents with bears happen with wounded animals (for example, when a hunter has accidentally encountered a bear whilst out hunting for elk and shot at the animal). Like any animal, fear and pain will make it aggressive. Contrary to the images in films, standing on hind legs is not an aggressive posture for a bear. It simply allows the bear to have a better view of the surroundings, and to confirm what their senses of smell and hearing have told them.

If the bear starts to come towards you, then it has perceived your presence as a threat. It may be protecting a cub, or perhaps a carcass nearby. Perhaps the bear had no opportunity to hide when you approached or has just emerged from its hibernation den. If you have a dog with you, the dog may have provoked the bear. Talk loudly and leave slowly, but do not hit or threaten the bear, and do not run.

Whatever the reason for the bear’s approach, an attack is unlikely – the bear is probably just “faking”. Confrontation for any wild animal is a dangerous thing, as it may result in fatal injury, and many animals, including bears, gorillas and elephants, employ this tactic of “fake” charges to avoid the need for a real fight.

In the very unlikely event that you are attacked by a bear, try to distract its attention away from the attack. Place an object (such as a rucksack or fishing equipment) between you and the animal. If this fails, lie down on the ground in a foetal position or face down on your stomach. Cover your neck with your hands and protect your head, and “play dead”. Making yourself as small as you can and behaving as passively as possible will help to persuade the bear that you are not a threat.

What Brown Bear signs can I look out for?

In some areas you have a good chance of seeing signs that bears are sharing the forest world with you. You may be lucky enough to see their tracks in mud or snow, or perhaps to see hair caught on fencing or scratch marks on a tree trunk.

There is no reason to be afraid of meeting a bear when you are out canoeing, hiking or wild camping in Sweden – the chances of encountering a Brown Bear in Sweden are extremely low. In the whole of Scandinavia, there have been only four known cases in the last 100 years where a human has been killed by a Brown Bear.

So make the most of the peace and tranquility of Swedish vast tracts of wilderness, and enjoy the uplifting sensation that you may be travelling through the homeland of one of the world’s most fascinating and much misunderstood creatures – the Brown Bear!

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

If you are travelling to the forest farm for either our Summer Fun on a Forest Farm or Winter Wonderland on a Forest Farm experiences, you may like to visit the nearby Järvzoo, which is home to a wide range of Swedish wildlife, including Brown Bears, with large enclosures and semi-natural surroundings. Visitors use a walkway to move through the park which takes you above the animals, allowing excellent views unencumbered by fencing and wonderful photo opportunities.

We also offer dedicated wildlife experiences giving you intimate encounters with two of Sweden’s other elusive forest dwellers, the wolf and the moose. For further details please see Elk Safari Adventure and Howling with Wolves.

Travelling through Sweden on a cold winter’s day, you may well spot a succession of lone figures perched incongruously out in the middle of a lake, surrounded on all sides by a huge empty expanse of glassy ice, clutching a tiny fishing rod in one hand while gazing hopefully down a small round hole. You may be forgiven for thinking that these strange displaced anglers, levitating as if by magic above the watery depths beneath, are some frozen relic from a peaceful summer fishing trip gone horribly wrong, perhaps caught in some freak snowstorm and preserved for eternity (or at least until the spring melt) in the timeless pose of the expectant fisherman.

But no, these hunched adventurers are in entirely sound mind and exactly where they would wish to be. Though largely unknown in the UK and other less wintry climes, ice fishing is a popular way to spend a winter’s afternoon across much of Sweden, and has to be one of the most peaceful and even meditative ways to enjoy the beauty of the frozen winter landscape.

To go ice fishing, it is of course necessary to have some specialised equipment not in the normal arsenal of the summer angler. Firstly, you will need an ice saw or ice drill to make your hole (ice drills are fearsome-looking contraptions but very simple to use, resembling a traditional DIY manual drill but of mad-scientist proportions). Though it is possible to go ice fishing with spears (as you might imagine the Inuit doing), in Sweden most people fish with small, light fishing rods. Popular fish to go for include trout, salmon, pike, perch, grayling or the delicious Arctic char.

Ice fishing, while an excellent way of communing with nature and appreciating the grandeur and silence of the Swedish winter world, is not without its dangers. Though the ice beneath you may well be several feet thick in many places, in others it may be deceptively thin, and it is important to be aware of local conditions and respectful of potential hazards. For this reason, the services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide are essential – not only will they be able to advise on the best places to fish and increase your chance of a good catch, but they will know where you can fish in safety. In the unlikely event that someone should fall through the ice, they will also know how to get them out!

If a dedicated ice fishing holiday sounds just a little too relaxing, our Ice Fishing and Dog Sledding expedition combines the thrills of a dog sledding holiday with the gentle pleasures of a few hours’ ice fishing. With your base in a traditional teepee, to which you return each night to recount your stories of “the one that got away” and cook your catch over the wood-burning stove, you head out each day to try your luck at various fishing spots on both sides of the Swedish/Norwegian border. This tour takes place in late April/early May, when the low temperatures and shorter days of winter are giving way to the warming sunshine and extended daylight of spring.

Whether you are a committed fisherman or have never picked up a fishing rod before, ice fishing offers a unique way to engage with the glorious quiet and sense of calm that typifies a Swedish winter. As the song says, “Gone fishin’, instead of just a-wishin’……”

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

If you prefer to be out on the ice without a fishing rod in your hand, you may also be interested in our Ice Skating on Natural Ice experience.

Cross country skiing is a great way to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the winter landscape and escape the clamour and queues of the pistes. Your cross-country skis can truly take you “away-from-it-all” into a silent world, whether you choose to ski over mountain plains with wide horizons or on forests trails through avenues of trees laden with new-fallen snow.

What equipment do I need to go cross country skiing?

Cross country skis are longer and narrower than downhill skis. They distribute the skier’s weight more evenly over the snow and make it possible to move more smoothly. Usually, skis will be about 2 metres long depending on the height and weight of the skier.

You will also need ski poles, which are longer and usually lighter than downhill poles and have a pointed end to make it easier to penetrate the snow.

Cross country ski boots are also very different from downhill boots, (lighter and much more comfortable!). The binding is fixed only at the toe, leaving the heel free.

Photo: Anders Dahlin Naturfoto

What different cross country skiing techniques are there?

There are basically two techniques, the “classic” technique where you slide one ski in front of the other, or the “skating” technique which, like ice skating, moves you forward in a V-shape. Of these, the classic technique is probably the easiest for beginners.

What’s involved in the classic technique of cross country skiing?

This technique is used when there are prepared trails with grooves that have been cut into the snow. The basic component of this technique is the “diagonal stride”, which is like a combination of running and gliding. This is the basic technique for beginners to move along flat ground, though more experienced skiers can also move uphill in this way. Less experienced skiers can climb inclines using the “herring bone” technique, moving uphill by placing the skies diagonally one after the other (as beginner downhill skiers are taught). When going downhill, assume a tuck position similar to downhill skiing.

Photo: Anders Dahlin Naturfoto

What’s involved in the skating technique of cross country skiing?

For those used to ice skating, this technique may be easier to learn than the classic technique. Skating trails are often made alongside the grooves for classic trails, allowing both kinds of technique to be practised on a particular route.

When skating, the skier pushes one ski outward, with the inside edge of the ski against the snow. It is important to transfer you weight effectively from one ski to the other as you skate along.

Is cross country skiing difficult to learn?

No. Because you are travelling on flat or nearly flat ground for much of the time, cross country skiing does not have the “fear factor” of learning to ski downhill. You may feel unsteady for a while, but most people find that they gain confidence quickly and the efficiency and grace of their technique improves rapidly. It can be difficult to maintain control when going downhill at first, especially in the prepared grooves, but again, most people develop their skills quickly in this area. For the less confident, you can always transfer to the skating track and use a “snowplough” position when going downhill.

Photo: Anders Dahlin Naturfoto

One of the great attractions of cross country skiing is that you can make your tour as challenging or as relaxing as you wish, and the sport is ideal for all ages, accessible to anyone in moderately good health. There is no hurry, it is not a race (unless you want it to be!), and if you wish to take your time and ski along slowly through the forest deep in conversation with a friend, then the choice is yours! What’s more, you will be in no danger of being knocked down by a speeding snowboarder coming up behind you!

At the other end of the scale, cross country skiing can be an extremely physical and demanding sport. In fact, it is known as the most demanding of endurance sports, as the movements burn the highest number of calories per hour (making it an effective and fun way to lose weight or stay in shape!). As with swimming and rowing, all the major muscle groups are exercised when cross country skiing.

Is cross country skiing more environmentally friendly than downhill skiing?

Yes, for a number of reasons. There are no pistes, lift systems, etc, required, so the impact on the environment is substantially reduced. Many mountain areas worldwide are now at risk because of the increased pressure from downhill skiing. Habitat is destroyed to make way for the pistes and infrastructure, plant life is damaged by snow compaction, artificial snow-making machines are energy-hungry and contribute to climate change (the very problem which may have caused the absence of snow!), and destabilisation of the hillsides can lead to an increased risk of avalanche. For a more detailed discussion of this issue, please see our previous blog article “To ski or not to ski?”.

Photo: Anders Dahlin Naturfoto

What other advantages does cross country skiing have over downhill skiing?

Cross country skiing is a much quieter, close-to-nature experience. It is accessible for people of all ages and you do not need to be particularly fit or strong. There is a far smaller risk of injury, and there are no lift passes to buy!

Is Sweden a good country to go cross country skiing?

One of the best! There are thousands of kilometres of prepared trails and the sport is very popular with Swedes. Many older people in Sweden use it as a way to keep fit in the winter months, while children go skiing in the surrounding forests as part of school sports. Sweden has one of the world’s most famous cross country ski events, the Vasaloppet, which takes place every winter, a kind of London Marathon for skiers (see our past blog article on the Vasaloppet race). The town of Torsby in Värmland, the region where our canoe tours take place, has the world’s largest indoor cross country ski trail, making it possible to enjoy cross country skiing at any time of year!

Photo: Anders Dahlin Naturfoto

Where can I go cross country skiing in Sweden?

Nature Travels offers a wide variety of cross country ski experiences in Sweden suitable both for beginners and more experienced skiers seeking a challenge. We have experiences specially tailored for solo travellers or families with young children. If you would like a dedicated cross country skiing holiday, please see our range of experiences on our website at www.naturetravels.co.uk/category-cross-country-skiing.htm. If you would like a more general “winter activity” holiday with the option to try out some cross country skiing during your stay, you may be interested in the following experiences:

Winter Wonderland on a Forest Farm
Log Cabin Escape in Värmland
Winter Weeks in the Mountains

Photo: Anders Dahlin Naturfoto

If you’re a beginner who has never skied before, you should definitely give cross country skiing a go. If you’re a committed downhill skier who has never tried cross country, why not do something a little different on your ski holiday this year? Once you’ve caught the bug, you may never want to stand in a lift queue again!

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

Terms such as “ecotourism”, “sustainable tourism” and “responsible travel” are commonly heard these days, leaving many consumers confused as to what these terms really mean and perhaps suspicious of their value. In this set of FAQs, we have tried to answer some of the questions our clients sometimes ask regarding Nature Travels’ commitment to ecotourism and the world of responsible travel in general.

What does Nature Travels do?

Nature Travels is the UK specialist for responsible travel to Sweden. We work together with small-scale, locally-owned partner companies in Sweden to offer a wide range of ecotourism experiences, from wilderness canoeing to dog sledding tours to log cabin holidays. All are active members of the Swedish Ecotourism Society, an organisation committed to minimising the impact of tourism on the natural environment, and 17 are independently certified by a body comprising the Swedish Ecotourism Society, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and Visit Sweden, with a quality mark for their high standards of environmental practice and customer service.

What does this certification involve?

Providers must meet and maintain adherence to a strict set of criteria covering all aspects of business operations. Every company is regularly assessed and certification can be removed if a company fails to meet the required criteria. The areas covered include:

• measures to conserve the local environment in which the activities take place
• animal welfare where animals are used during the experience (e.g. on our dog sledding tours)
• waste and resource management
• safety procedures
• use of local goods and services
• control of group sizes and visitor pressure on natural areas
• staff training and customer service
• use of fuel-efficient and sustainable transport alternatives
• ongoing commitment to improving environmental performance

If would like more information about these criteria, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Why do you only sell experiences in Sweden?

Nature Travels specialises exclusively in Sweden because we know the country intimately, and can offer unrivalled advice and assistance for our clients. We are based in the UK, but all our staff are either from Sweden or have lived, worked and travelled extensively in Sweden. We have personally participated in most of the experiences we offer, and have been keen outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists all our lives. We have a very close relationship with our partners in Sweden and we aim to visit them and the areas in which the experiences run regularly.

We focus on Sweden because we know and love the country and believe that it offers a unique range of possibilities as a destination for outdoor experiences which is hard to beat, whether you choose to go hiking in the endless daylight of summer or dog sledding in the deep snows of winter. What’s more, Sweden is one of the most progressive countries in the world when it comes to the support and development of sustainable tourism. Sweden is showing admirable foresight in addressing the challenges of tourism, and its ecotourism quality label system has become an established standard on which other countries are now just beginning to base their own systems.

I’ve heard that Nature Travels offers carbon offsetting. What does that mean and why is it a good thing?

Nature Travels works in partnership with Climate Care to offer our clients the opportunity to offset the CO2 emissions produced by their journey to Sweden. An offset for a UK-Sweden return flight costs just £3.50, effectively making your trip “carbon neutral”.

Climate Care invests this money in global projects designed to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere equivalent to the amount generated by your flight. These projects also bring benefits both to wildlife and local communities, and include reforestation work, provision of fuel efficient technology, and investment in alternative energy. For more information see www.climatecare.org.

While by no means the only solution to the problems of global warming, Nature Travels sees offsetting as an important tool in the fight against climate change which, coupled with more responsible practices in energy use, can bring a significant benefit.

What does Nature Travels do to be eco-friendly in the UK?

Nature Travels makes every effort to conduct its business in an environmentally-responsible manner. We use low energy lighting and appliances throughout the office, leave nothing on standby, and recycle all paper and printer cartridges. Our old printer cartridges and used stamps go towards raising funds for environmental charities.

We aim to minimise paper usage in general by corresponding with our clients via email as much as possible. When you make a booking with us, you can complete your booking form online. If you prefer to send us a paper copy, we do also provide a version of the booking form that you can print off.

Why don’t you publish a brochure?

Every year, around 45 million holidays are taken in the UK. On average, four travel brochures are produced for each holiday sold, making a total of 180 million brochures distributed every year! If you placed these end to end, they would cover the distance from London to Sydney three times!

As an ecotourism company, we do not produce a printed brochure. Instead, we provide comprehensive information on all our tours in downloadable PDF format from our website www.naturetravels.co.uk. Simply click on the “Full Details” button on each experience page to open the full details file.

This not only reduces our paper consumption considerably, but also allows us to update our tour information whenever needed, providing the latest available information on the tours, dates and transport routes. However, if you prefer, we are happy to email details of any particular tours you may be interested in. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or would like to discuss anything about our experiences and we will be pleased to answer your questions.

Why don’t you sell flights?

We do not sell the flight component of your trip, though we are more than happy to advise you on suitable connections and assist you in finding the best transport alternatives to your destination.

If you are willing to take a little extra time and make the journey part of your holiday experience, you can choose to travel to Sweden without flying, either by ferry to Norway or Denmark then onward by public transport, or by train all the way from the UK. Within Sweden, there is an excellent and affordable network of train and bus connections to take you to even the most remote areas. Some of these services (e.g. mountain buses and airport transfers) can be booked directly through us.

If you do choose to fly, there are a number of low-cost options which would not be open to you if booking a flight-inclusive holiday. Low-cost carriers such as Ryanair operate regular services to major and regional airports within Sweden, and flying in this way can significantly reduce the overall cost of your holiday. For a full list of flight connections between the UK and Sweden, see our interactive map at www.naturetravels.co.uk/holidays-in-sweden.htm. If you do decide to fly, we hope that you will opt to add the small cost of a carbon offset.

Why should I choose an ecotourism holiday or a responsible tour operator?

For the customer, choosing an ecotourism holiday is not only a positive ethical choice, but is also a reassurance that you will be visiting an area where visitor numbers are strictly controlled and the local environment is cared for, enhancing your enjoyment of your visit. Nature Travels clients may choose us because of our environmental and ethical credentials, or they may simply be attracted by our range of exciting and unique outdoor experiences offered in Sweden. Whatever the initial reason for choosing an ecotourism holiday, there are significant benefits both in terms of the environmental impact of your holiday and in your enjoyment of the holiday experience.

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team