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As an ecotourism company, we hope that you will choose to take trains and buses whenever possible as you travel around Sweden. However, cars do offer a degree of independence and allow access to certain areas hard to reach by public transport. If you do decide to drive in Sweden, there are some things that you should be aware of, for the sake of safety, ease of travel, and the environment, and we have tried to present some of the most important information in this collection of FAQs. If you have never driven in the snow before, or would like information on other aspects of driving in Sweden, you should find many of the answers below…

Which side of the road should I drive on?

Until 1967, traffic in Sweden drove on the left, as we do in the UK. Then, at 04.50 in the morning on September 3rd, traffic all across the country was directed over to the right side of the road and stopped still for 10 minutes before setting off again at 05.00, this time driving on the right, where it has remained ever since. It is hard to imagine how such a logistical operation could have been accomplished on British roads, even in 1967!

Are roads in Sweden busy?

Swedish roads generally haves far less traffic than the UK, and in many areas it is possible to drive for hours without meeting another vehicle. Outside major cities, traffic jams and queues are very rare, though you are likely to experience delays in Stockholm during peak hours.

Are the roads in good condition?

Roads in Sweden are generally very well-maintained. Rural roads may have some bumps and pits, especially in winter, and forest roads in more remote areas are likely to be unsurfaced (known as “Grusvägar”).

What special requirements are there?

Motorways are toll-free. You must drive with your headlights on at all times. If you hire a car in Sweden, headlights will be switched on as standard. You must also carry a warning triangle in the car, which you should place 50-100m behind your vehicle if stopped on a road. Again, this will be standard equipment in a hire car.

What about parking in Sweden?

Parking regulations are generally clear and easy to follow. In cities you will usually need to pay for parking, either at an on-street meter or ticket machine, between 8am and 6pm. If parking on the street, keep to the right side only (don’t park against the flow of traffic). There are a number of lay-bys for parking on main roads (see also our article on the Swedish Right of Public Access for regulations on overnight parking).

What is the speed limit in Sweden?

Don’t forget that speeds and distances in Sweden are measured in kilometres (1 mile=1.6km). Swedes will often talk of distances in terms of “mil” or “Swedish miles”: 1 mil=10km, so if a Swede tells you it is “10 miles to Gothenburg”, they mean 100km!

On motorways (roads marked with blue signs), the limit is 110kph/68mph. Main roads are marked with green signs and usually named with E plus a number (e.g. E14 for “Europaväg 14”). Speed limit here is 90kph/56mph. In towns the speed limit is 50kph/31mph. Other speed restrictions are clearly marked.

Does Sweden have speed cameras?

Yes. Presence of speed cameras in an area is usually clearly marked by signs. They look a little like a cross between a traffic light and a Dalek! The level of the fine is dependent on the amount by which you exceed the speed limit, and for serious offences your driving license may be withdrawn.

Is there a danger of animals on the road?

Driving in Sweden is an excellent way to encounter wildlife, and during your travels you may be lucky enough to spot moose, reindeer, deer, hares, red squirrels and perhaps some of the rarer animals. However, many Swedish roads travel through densely forested areas and animals on the road are a hazard to be taken seriously in order to prevent casualties among both the animal and human population. There are around 4500 accidents involving vehicles and moose alone each year in Sweden, resulting in 10-15 human fatalities.

Major roads will often have fencing to prevent animals crossing, though there will be periodic breaks to allow animals to cross. Danger points are clearly marked, but you should be aware of animals on the road at all times. If you wound an animal and it wanders off into the forest, mark the spot where it entered the forest with a ribbon or by some other means and call the police. The police will then attempt to track down the animal to put it out of its misery. It is not a criminal offence to hit an animal.

What about drinking and driving in Sweden?

Sweden has some of the strictest regulations relating to driving and alcohol consumption of any European country. The legal blood alcohol limit is currently 0.02, compared to 0.08 in the UK. Police have the right to demand a blood sample and failing a test will result in imprisonment.

Do I have to wear a seatbelt in Sweden?

Yes. Seatbelts are compulsory both front and rear. Children under 7 must have an approved seat, and it is illegal to use a backwards-facing child seat in cars with an airbag on the passenger side.

How old do I need to be to drive in Sweden?

The minimum age for driving is 18.

Do I need to carry documents with me?

It is a good idea to carry your driving licence, registration documentation, passport and insurance certificate with you when driving.

What are some useful Swedish words to know for motorists?

Parkering Förbjuden – No Parking
Infart – Entrance
Avfart – Exit
Bensin – Petrol
Sjukhus – Hospital
Omläggning - Diversion
Gäller Ej… – Doesn’t apply to…

What is the number for emergency services in Sweden?

Dial 112 for Police/Fire/Ambulance Service.

What do I need to know to drive in winter in Sweden?

If you have not driven in snow before, it can be quite daunting initially, especially for those who have experienced icy conditions on UK roads. But don’t worry – winter tyres make an enormous difference and even smaller roads are regularly ploughed. Provided you follow some simple guidelines you should be able to drive confidently and safely.

1. While of course helpful in extreme conditions, it is not necessary to have a 4WD vehicle if you are planning to drive on normal roads in Sweden.
2. Cars with front-wheel-drive will handle better in snowy conditions than those with rear-wheel-drive.
3. ABS can be a useful feature to assist safe braking in snowy conditions.
4. Your vehicle must be fitted with winter tyres (not necessarily studded, though studded tyres will give better grip) to drive in Sweden during the winter. If travelling to Sweden during the winter, it is probably best to hire a vehicle rather than take your own. Hire cars will come fully outfitted for winter conditions.
5. When driving on snow and especially on ice, you should allow much greater stopping distance. Be especially carefully when doing downhill or approaching curves. The “slipperiness” of the road will vary considerably depending on the temperature and surface conditions, so be aware that a snow-covered road that seemed easy to drive one day may be much icier the next.
6. Ice often forms on bridges, so take extra care when driving over them.
7. When driving on remote roads with little traffic, you may find it helpful to drive in the middle of the road, as you will have more room to maneuver and correct any slides if forced to brake suddenly. When going over hills and dips and around corners, you may meet traffic coming from the other direction, so slow down and keep to the right.
8. If the road is very slippery and you feel that it is difficult to keep control, drive as slowly as possible in the lowest gear. If the car begins to slide when going downhill, change down gear, use the engine to brake and go as slowly as you can.
9. You will have most control when steering if you put the clutch in and steer without either accelerating or braking. Gentle movements of the steering wheel and low speeds will give you the most control under snowy and icy conditions. Better a foot on the clutch than a foot on the brake!
10. Finally, use your judgement when assessing conditions. A white winter road with packed snow will often be less slippery than a wet road. Drive safely, but don’t be nervous!

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

Nature Travels offers a wide range of outdoor experiences in Sweden, all of which are accessible by public transport. Cars can be useful to access some of our experiences and to give you greater freedom during your stay – see for example our Summer Fun on a Forest Farm and Log Cabin Escape in Värmland experiences. If hiring a car in Sweden, you may wish to consider one of the flexifuel cars available from Hertz. There are currently over 70,000 flexifuel cars on the roads in Sweden and alternative fuels are widely available in many areas.

What is the Swedish Right of Public Access?

Allmansrätten, or “Every Man’s Right”, is an important part of Swedish cultural heritage, a unique freedom of access to Sweden’s countryside and wild places, and one of the things which makes Sweden such an attractive destination for the outdoor enthusiast.

Where does the Swedish Right of Public Access come from?

The origins of the Right date back to the local laws and customs of the Middle Ages, and it is of enormous importance in Sweden both to individuals and to groups, clubs and tour operators (such as ourselves). Clubs and companies are permitted to take advantage of the Right of Public Access when conducting activities in the Swedish countryside, although in essence the Right is limited to individuals.

What is its general principle?

The Right of Public Access has a number of parts, which are discussed in more detail below, but in essence it can be summed up in the phrase “Do not disturb, do not destroy”. With the considerable freedom and right to roam afforded by Allmansrätten comes the burden of care and responsibility, and the principles of the Right are there both for the enjoyment of outdoor activities in Sweden and for the protection of its rich flora and fauna.

Why is it necessary?

With a growing global population and increased pressure on natural areas everywhere for recreational purposes, the principles of the Right of Public Access are more important than ever, providing an important framework for the sustainable enjoyment of Sweden’s countryside and wilderness areas. If these areas are used without care or respect, irreparable damage can occur to the natural environment, which may include:

- litter and toilet waster

- erosion of paths and soil

- depletion of natural resources such as wood for fire making

- damage to fragile ecosystems and removal of rare or vulnerable species

What controls are there to ensure that companies follow the rules?

The Swedish Environmental Code requires organises of outdoor activities in the countryside to demonstrate a knowledge of and respect for the natural environment of the area in which their activities take place. They are also obliged to inform participants in their experiences of the principles of the Right of Public Access and how the natural environment of the area can be conserved and protected.

At Nature Travels, we work exclusively with small-scale partner companies in Sweden. All these companies are members of the Swedish Ecotourism Society and most have passed through a strict quality-control system to receive a quality mark for their high standard of environmental commitment. Among the many criteria that must be met for certification, they must provide a detailed analysis of how their activities impact the local environment and what measures they have to manage this impact. For more details on this, please see our previous blog article on Ecotourism FAQs.

On any of the experience pages on our website at www.naturetravels.co.uk, you will see a button near the top of the page labelled “Full Details”. This link opens a PDF file giving further information on the experience, and in each file you will find a section titled “Common Sense and the Right of Public Access”. If you have any questions about how this applies to your chosen experience, please don’t hesitate to ask and we will be happy to discuss it with you.

Can I walk or ski anywhere in Sweden?

Within certain guidelines, yes. Following the principle of “Do not disturb, do not destroy”, you may not walk or ski on cultivated ground or in the grounds around someone’s house. There are no limits or distances defined in law, but people engaged in outdoor activities in Sweden are required to exercise common sense and consideration. For example, a newly-planted section of a forestry plantation would also be considered “off-limits”, even though it may not be seen as cultivated ground as such. Common sense also allows you to interpret the Right sensibly – you should not cross a crop field where crops are growing, but if the ground is hard and snow-covered in winter, there is no reason why you should not be allowed to cross.

What about cycling?

The Right of Public Access also allows great freedom for cycling in Sweden. Again, you must use your discretion to judge whether or not your presence will disturb or destroy, but you are allowed access to all private roads, and it is not permitted for a landowner to put up a sign prohibiting you from cycling on the road or path.

You should ensure that you choose the correct cycling style to suit the area and the environment. Avoid places or times or weather conditions when your tyres could cause erosion, keep off fragile areas such as those covered in moss or lichen, and if cycling on a trail intended for hikers or joggers, cycle slowly and show consideration for other uses of the paths, giving way to joggers and walkers.

There are exceptions to the freedoms afforded to the cyclist in Sweden. Local authorities may decide to introduce “No Cycling” restrictions on some paths, while inside National Parks and other protected areas, cycling may be banned completely.

Can I ride a horse in Sweden?

Again, horse riding in Sweden is permitted in most areas under the Right of Public Access. Because of the great potential for riders to damage ground and cause erosion, there are a number of things you should bear in mind when riding your horse in Sweden.

You should avoid trails specially intended for hikers, joggers or skiers and avoid sensitive ground such as bogland or moss-covered areas. You should also be careful not to damage young trees and be especially cautious when the ground is wet around spring and autumn. If riding in the same area on a regular basis, it is advisable to ask for permission from the local landowner. You should also avoid cultivated ground and the grounds of houses as you would if walking or cycling.

Unlike for cyclists, landowners can erect a “No Riding” sign in areas where there is high risk of damage to the ground. Local authorities and National Parks and nature reserves may also have their own restrictions.

Can I fish without a licence in Sweden?

No, not generally. As a non-Swedish citizen, you are required to have a licence unless fishing with hand-gear in public waters. In all other cases, you must obtain a fishing permit. Fishing is prohibited within 100m of stationary fishing equipment and fish farms. You are permitted to fish from a private jetty on an occasional basis (though not one next to someone’s house), but must of course give priority to the owner of the jetty if they require access for a boat, etc.

Can I pick mushrooms, berries and flowers in Sweden?

One of the great joys of being out in the forests of Sweden is the rich carpets of flowers and berries which cover the forest floor, and the wide variety of mushrooms available at different times of year. Looking for and gathering this forest bounty is a popular activity for Swedes and visitors alike. If you are particularly interested in this forest pastime, you may wish to take a look at our Autumn Forest Gold experience.

You are permitted to pick flowers, berries and mushrooms for private use, but must avoid protected species and should also use your discretion for other fragile species which may not yet be formally protected. There may be local restrictions in place if a particular species is vulnerable in that area. Protection for plants and animals is usually absolute – you are not permitted to disturb them in any way, even within the grounds of your house. In other cases, protected may be partial, so that certain flowers can be picked for private use, but not dug up by the roots. If a property is abandoned and there are no standing buildings, it is permitted for you to collect fruit, e.g. apples, raspberries, gooseberries, etc. from the abandoned orchard.

Live wood is also protected, and you may not chop wood from a growing tree to make a fire or otherwise cause damage to it (e.g. by carving in the bark).

As with many other aspects of the Swedish Right of Public Access, National Parks and protected areas may have their own restrictions on the collection of berries, flowers and mushrooms.

Can I take my dog on holiday to Sweden?

Many Swedes own dogs themselves, and dogs are generally very welcome in Sweden. There are certain restrictions designed to protect wild animals during the most vulnerable times of the year and to prevent harm to livestock.

Between 1^st March and 20^th August, it is important that dogs are not allowed to run loose in the countryside. In practice, this means that dogs should be kept on a lead in areas where there are wild animals, livestock or game. Outside this period, dogs should be kept under close control, and if you are in an area which practices reindeer husbandry, dogs not used for reindeer herding must be on a lead at all times.

Once again, National Parks and other protected areas will have their own regulations, and in some National Park areas dogs are prohibited.

If you would like to take your dog on holiday to Sweden, Nature Travels offers a number of dog-friendly experiences which are ideal for dog owners. Please contact us for details. You should be aware that Sweden that the regulations for bringing a dog into Sweden are usually tighter than for other EU countries. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for advice or assistance.

Can I light camp fires in Sweden?

Yes, lighting fires is permitted under the Right of Public Access, but you must follow certain precautions to minimise damage and the risk of an uncontrolled fire.

Many people do not think of Sweden as a hot country, but in fact during the summer, the forests and heathlands can become extremely dry and large forest fires are a very real danger.

You must site your fire whether there is no risk of the fire spreading and where the fire will not cause damage, such as on sandy ground or gravel. Avoid mossy and peat-bog areas, as the fire is likely to spread and can also burn underground unnoticed long after you have left. You should also not light your fire next to a rock, as this can crack and scar the rock. Wet stones may crack and even explode when heated. You are permitted to collect cones, fallen branches and twigs for your fire, but must not gather live wood or use fallen trees. Dead trees are extremely valuable habitats for wildlife and must be left intact.

At times where there is a high risk of fire, a ban may be imposed by the local authority. In this case, you are not allowed to light fires, but may still use designated grill spots and a camping stove with care.

Don’t forget that National Parks and nature reserves in Sweden may have their own regulations regarding camp fires.

I’ve heard that you can camp wild anywhere in Sweden. Is this true?

Up to a point, yes. The freedom to camp wild is one of the great joys of an outdoor holiday in Sweden. You should not pitch your tent on farmland or near a house, and stays in any one location are limited to a night or two.

Groups of friends pitching two or three tents do not need to obtain permission from the landowner, but as always, you must respect the privacy of anyone living nearby and take care not to damage the natural environment.

Generally, a good rule of thumb is to ensure that you pitch your tent out of site of people’s houses and do not stay more than two nights in the same spot. Don’t forget to take all your litter away with you (including food scraps –orange peel, for example, can take many years to degrade naturally!). If no other option exists, make sure you bury your toilet waste properly. Choose a spot at least 50m from houses, camping spots, water sources, etc. Dig a hole 15cm deep for your waste and then fill in soil on top. Do not bury non-degradable items such as children’s nappies or female sanitary products.

Can I recycle my rubbish in Sweden?

Yes, most areas of Sweden have very good facilities for recycling. In addition to the standard containers for glass, paper and cans common in the UK, many small towns or village supermarkets will also have stations to recycle batteries and plastics. If you buy drinks in aluminium cans or plastic bottles (“PET-flaskor” in Swedish), a few kronor of the price you pay will be a deposit, or “Pant”. Many shops will have a station near the entrance where you can return these bottles and reclaim your deposit. Just ask the shop assistant for help. If you want to recycle your cans, be careful not to crush them, as the deposit machines will only accept non-crushed ones.

I’d like to take my caravan or motor-home to Sweden. What freedoms will I have?

Along public roads, you may stay for 24 hours in lay-bys and designated public parking areas, or until the next weekday at weekends or on public holidays. You must not drive your vehicle off-road, e.g. to park in a field or on a beach.

What about sailing, boating and swimming in Sweden?

As with other aspects of the Swedish Right of Public Access, provided you show suitable care and consideration, a great deal of freedom is allowed. You should ensure you are aware of local regulations which apply to you and demonstrate good seamanship at all times.

It is permitted to temporarily moor a boat off the shore, to swim, to cast anchor and to go ashore, as long as you are not within the grounds of a private house or in a protected natural area. In the same way that you should not camp in the same spot for more than two nights, you should not moor your boat in the same place for more than two nights before moving on.

Be especially careful around bird or seal sanctuaries, where you are not permitted to go ashore. Make sure you look for the signs for advice in local areas.

A final thought…

The Swedish Right of Public Access is a wonderful cultural institution, providing unique freedoms to Swedish citizens and visitors alike. As long as its principles are respected, and common sense exercised at all times when judging what is or is not possible, there is no reason why everyone should not continue to enjoy these freedoms long into the future. With increasing pressure on all our natural areas and the rise in popularity of outdoor recreation, it is now more important than ever that its ideas of fair and sustainable use of the countryside are observed. If we “Do not disturb, do not destroy”, the valuable natural environment of this vast and beautiful country can be enjoyed by all for many years to come.

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

Many of the outdoor holidays in Sweden offered by Nature Travels include wild camping, such as our canoe tours, sea kayaking experiences, wilderness hiking tours and our Go Camping by Dogsled and Ice Fishing and Dog Sledding experiences.

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

Think “outside the box” when planning your presents this year…

Take a moment to think back to last Christmas - the family gathering, the wine and good food….and the presents you received. Of these, no doubt some have remained close to your heart, treasured possessions that you will use and cherish for years to come, gifts given with love and thought and received with gratitude. But, almost certainly, among the piles of packages that peeked promisingly from beneath the Christmas tree were a reasonable number that you would have preferred never to receive, or whose appeal faded quickly after the first flush of excitement.

The same is probably true of the gifts you gave. Did the £90 Roboraptor hold the attention of the children as long as you’d hoped? Did you imagine that the Playstation 2 you bought would now be lying forgotten and unloved at the back of the cupboard while its new £350 cousin takes centre stage? Did your brother ever use that 50-piece screwdriver set you had hoped would revolutionise his DIY? Or perhaps behind the polite smiles of your partner as you handed over a well-intended piece of jewellery they were secretly praying you had kept the receipt?

Estimates for Christmas spending in the UK vary, but all the statistics paint a similar story. In 1996, a survey by debit card company Switch found that, on average, every person in Britain spent a staggering £710 at Christmas. By 1998 this had risen to £862. In 2002 the Family Welfare Association found that a family on an average income spent £564 on food, drink and decorations for Christmas Day alone.

Around 15 hours is spent on Christmas shopping and an extra two hours standing in queues at the till. A quarter of Britons take out loans to be able to afford the excesses of Christmas, while 40% admit that Christmas shopping causes them to feel stressed. Each year, Christmas in the UK generates over three million tonnes of waste.

What’s the alternative?

Buy memories – not stuff! An outdoor holiday in Sweden is not only a great experience in itself, but will leave you with fond memories for years to come, long after the joys of more material gifts have faded.

All our experiences in Sweden are carefully managed to minimise their environmental impact. Waste is kept to a minimum and recycled wherever possible. Where transport is required, fuel-efficient alternatives are favoured. If you choose to fly to Sweden, a small additional premium of £3.50 will offset the carbon emissions produced by your flight. Isn’t that a better alternative to acres of discarded packaging and a mound of unwanted presents?

What about the costs?

Let’s make a few comparisons:

A new 60GB Playstation 3 plus Guitar Hero III game currently costs around £420. So what could you do for a similar sum in Sweden?

Photo: Anders Dahlin Naturfoto

£342: A family of four (2 adults and 2 children under 16) could spend a week at an award-winning mountain station near the Norwegian border, with a wealth of activities available in the surrounding area from cross-country skiing to spa treatments.

Photo: Staffan Widstrand

£348: A family of four (2 adults and 2 children under 16) could take a 7-day wilderness canoeing trip along the beautiful slow-flowing Svartälven river camping wild along the way.

£401: A family of 6 could spend a week in the remote forests of Värmland in a traditional Swedish log cabin. The area is ideal for hiking, canoeing and fishing, and cabin rental includes use of a boat with environmentally-friendly 4-stroke engine to explore the surrounding lakes.

£414: A family of four (2 adults and 2 children aged 3-14) could spend three nights deep in the Swedish forest on our Winter Wonderland on a Forest Farm experience.

Or why not take your partner away for a romantic break…?

£229: Go wild in the wilderness with the one you love on a romantic log cabin break for two in the forests of Bergslagen. And you’ll still have £191 left over (why not add an elk safari or some extra nights?).

£376: Treat yourself and your partner on a weekend at our Country Manor multi-activity Getaway, with accommodation in two-room mini-suites, first-class cuisine and free use of kayaks, boats and cycles when you want to go exploring!

And that’s just for the price of one present!

How do I give a Nature Travels experience as a gift?

There are a number of options:

• If you are planning a trip with your partner or family, why not contact us and arrange the trip in secret as a surprise?
• Nature Travels experiences make ideal gifts for weddings or landmark birthdays. We are happy to produce a gift certificate for any of our experiences and let the recipients choose when they would like to travel.
• We also offer vouchers which can be redeemed against any of our experiences – perfect if you are making a contribution towards a trip or if you unsure exactly what kind of experience would be most suitable.

Think “outside the box” this Christmas – the experience will last a lifetime.

Best regards and Merry Christmas (or “God Jul”, as they say in Sweden!)

The Nature Travels Team

If the word “snowshoes” conjures visions of intrepid 19th century explorers trudging bravely across an Arctic landscape with tennis racquets tied to their feet, think again! Snowshoeing, while yet to gain significant popularity among UK winter sports enthusiasts, is fast becoming a major sport in many countries and is a fantastic way to get out and about in the wintertime. It’s also much less effort than you might think! There is a saying among snowshoeing enthusiasts: “If you can walk, you can snowshoe!”

Photo: Annika and Torkel Ideström

Modern snowshoes are lightweight and extremely comfortable, and the technique is very easy to learn. Most people find than within a few minutes they are completely at home on their snowshoes. As your knowledge of and your familiarity with the equipment improves, you will find your technique becoming more and more efficient, and your movements more and more natural.

Snowshoeing offers the winter outdoor enthusiast the freedom of the summer hiker, and allows you a free rein to explore both on and off the beaten track. What’s more, snowshoeing is a very flexible activity - you do not need to go to a special area to go snowshoeing - snowshoeing is possible anywhere where there is enough snow! Trails which may be well-known and familiar in summer take on a new, other-worldly character in winter. The landscape takes on a new freshness, and the clear winter air allows sharper long distance views than may be possible in the summer heat haze. And if you get lost, as a last resort you should be able to follow your own tracks home!

The real joy of snowshoeing is that it allows you to explore the quiet and uninhabited spaces of winter without the technical knowledge of the skier and with much less cumbersome equipment. For many people, whose experience of the winter mountains has been limited to the crowded and noisy ski slopes, snowshoeing comes as something of a revelation – a chance to escape the crowds and experience the calm beauty of a winter world far from the madding crowd back on the pistes. As the author Florence Page Jaques says in Snowshoe Country, “I love the deep silence of the midwinter woods. It is a stillness you can rest your whole weight against…”

Snowshoeing is an extremely accessible sport and can be practised on many levels. You may choose to follow well-marked cross country ski trails through the quiet forests keeping largely to flat country, or take to the hills for a uniquely intimate encounter with the winter mountain world, its silence and its grandeur, its shy wildlife and secret paths. It is a magical feeling to be the first to place your prints on a deep unbroken blanket of freshly fallen snow, as well as an exhilarating one to run headlong down a steep slope covered in light powder!

Snowshoeing is good for you, and good for the environment! It is an excellent form of exercise, and the cushioning effect of the snow means that there is less wear and tear on knees and other joints. The snow also protects the ground from the erosion which may be caused by summer outdoor activities. What’s more, because snowshoeing requires no infrastructure, it is not dependent on the damaging lift systems and associated developments which scar many of the world’s mountain areas.

Snowshoes work by distributing your weight over a wide area so that you don’t sink completely down into the snow as you would if wearing hiking boots. This “flotation” allows you to move through the snowy landscape much more efficiently, and is one reason why one of Sweden’s most fascinating predators, the wolverine, is able to pursue prey successfully through deep snow. Its broad furred paws mean that it can much faster across the snow than its prey animals like the reindeer, which distribute their weight over a much smaller area.

Snowshoes usually have a raised section at the toe, which improves maneuverability and makes it much easy to climb uphill. They are normally secured with simple bindings, and the heel is left loose. Special snowshoe boots are often not necessary, and snowboard boots or winter hiking boots may be suitable, especially for shorter expeditions.

Photo: Annika and Torkel Ideström

Of course, safety is a vital consideration at all times when in the winter mountains, and as with any winter sport it is essential to be fully informed and, where necessary, to use knowledgeable guides when exploring away from marked trails and routes.

Nature Travels offers a unique wilderness snowshoeing experience in the land of the wolverine. With an experienced local guide to lead the way, you have the chance to spend an exhilarating 4-day snowshoe holiday in the majestic area of Jämtland, sleeping warm under canvas each night below a limitless expanse of stars and exploring the silent forests and breathtaking mountain landscape by day. No previous experience of snowshoeing is necessary – so let the adventure begin!

The Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, is Sweden’s second largest bird of prey, the largest being the White-tailed Sea Eagle. It has a body length of almost a metre and a wingspan of well over two metres, making the Golden Eagle considerably larger than the more commonly-seen buzzard. Found throughout the country, Golden Eagles are most common in the north of Sweden. They are shy birds and prefer to keep to unpopulated and undisturbed areas. However, they may come nearer to built-up areas in order to take advantage of carrion found on roads or in gardens.

Known as the “Kungsörn”, the King’s Eagle, in Sweden, Golden Eagles are skilful hunters which patrol their territory flying low in an attempt to surprise and flush out their prey. They may also be spotted sitting motionless, scanning the landscape for something to eat, or soaring high up in the sky with their wings outstretched in a characteristic “V” shape. Golden Eagles usually take their prey on the ground, but may also pursue birds in flight to bring them down.

Golden Eagles have varied tastes, and their diet will depend on what is available in the local area. They are as likely to take rodents as birds, and in winter, when food is scarce, my also eat carrion to see them through this difficult period. With their exceptionally powerful talons, Golden Eagles are capable of hunting larger animals, too, such as young deer and reindeer and fully-grown foxes. They may also combine their talents to hunt in pairs.

Adult Golden Eagles have a dark plumage, while younger birds have light feathers on their wings and a lighter tail with dark tip. Birds of all ages have a yellow or light reddish-brown colouring on the neck.

Golden Eagles mate for life. They build their eyries most often in old-growth pine trees, and in the north of Sweden prefer these trees to be more than 250 years old! These large nests may also be found on steep cliffs. Golden Eagles normally have a number of nests which are used alternately over a period of many years. They may not breed every year, but during the breeding season these always elusive birds may be even shyer than usual.

Normally, the female will lay two eggs, and Golden Eagles in Sweden have an average success rate of 0.5 young raised per year. Generally, the older chick will take most of the food and as a result the younger chick often dies before leaving the nest. In Skåne in the south, on the island of Gotland and in the region of Härjedalen, the rate of success is higher, perhaps due to the increased abundance of prey. Golden Eagles may live to reach 50 years of age.

The Golden Eagle is under threat from a number of sides. Forestry activity in old-growth forests, the construction of new forest roads and tracks, snowmobile traffic through breeding areas, and the increased recreational use of previously undisturbed tracts of land have all contributed to the decline of the Golden Eagle in Sweden. Another more recent threat is an increase in hunting pressure in the mountain areas on the ptarmigan, one of the Golden Eagle’s key prey species. Through the analysis of dead birds, a number of other threats have also been identified, including significant casualties from trains and power lines. Ongoing efforts are being made to halt and reverse the decline of the Golden Eagle, but since Sweden’s entry into the European Union, previous feeding programmes in which animal carcasses were left out as food to support local eagle populations have suffered due to strict EU regulations.

There are currently around 1000 adult Golden Eagles in Sweden. In the north, the population appears to be declining, while in the southern parts of the country the reverse seems to be the case. Overall, the population is thought to be more or less constant.

Despite the many threats faced by Golden Eagles, we fervently hope that through increased understanding of the problems and greater public awareness of the need to protect and conserve these beautiful and majestic birds, the wild places of Sweden will echo to the cries of the Golden Eagle for many generations to come.

The sight of a Golden Eagle is a wildlife experience you will not easily forget, and the Nature Travels team was fortunate enough to have some superb views of a Golden Eagle feasting on its freshly-caught prey of fish on the ice of a frozen lake during a visit to the Bergslagen area in April last year. In the company of Marcus, who runs our Elk Safari Adventure and Howling with Wolves experiences, and local bird expert Daniel, we spent a memorable afternoon birding, of which our Golden Eagle sighting was definitely the highlight. An exceptional wildlife encounter that will stay with us forever!

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

Nature Travels offers a wide range of outdoor holidays in Sweden in areas where Golden Eagles may be seen, as well as a number of tours dedicated to wildlife watching.

A crash course in Swedish geography, climate, flora and fauna…

How big is Sweden?

Covering an area of nearly half a million square kilometres, Sweden is the fifth largest country in Europe and the largest of the Northern European countries, over one thousand miles from end to end. With a population of just over 9 million, Sweden has an average population density of just 20 people per square kilometre, compared to the UK with a density of 246 people per km – more than 20 times as much! This means that if you’re looking for the great wide open, Sweden is the place to be!

Photo: Nils Torbjorn Nutti

So, if there aren’t that many people, what is there in Sweden?

About three fifths of the country is made up of the region of Norrland, with its expansive mountains and vast areas of forest, and about 15% of the total area of Sweden lies within the Arctic Circle. Further south Svealand is an area of undulating hills formed by glaciers and is home to the majority of Sweden’s lakes. Sweden has no shortage of water, and the country as a whole contains over 90,000 lakes, including the two largest Vänern and Vättern. Finally, the southern part of the country is a mix of rocky highlands, forest and rich, fertile plains. Off the east and west coasts lie archipelagos consisting of tens of thousands of islands, rocks and skerries.

I’ve heard it’s cold and dark all the time. Is that true?

No. Sweden has a generally temperate climate in spite of its northerly latitude thanks to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream. While it is certainly true that in the far north temperatures drop well below zero in the winter, in the Stockholm area average temperatures vary from around -3.5 degrees C in the depths of winter to around 21 degrees C in the height of summer. Daylight hours are very variable, and though you need to go north of the Arctic Circle to experience the Midnight Sun, even in Stockholm the days around midsummer seem almost endless and the sun barely sets before starting its ascent once more for a new day.

Photo: Nils Torbjorn Nutti

What kind of flora and fauna are found in Sweden?

More than half of the country is forested, varying from the deciduous forests in the south to coniferous pine and spruce forests in the north. In the far north, the landscape is dominated by the hardy birch.

Wildlife in Sweden is rich and varied. The country has 26 national parks and a large number of nature reserves and other protected areas, and is home to some of Europe’s most exciting large mammals, including the brown bear, the lynx, the wolverine and the wolf. These magnificent, if elusive, creatures, along with the majestic Golden Eagle, make up Sweden’s Big Five.

As well as the Golden Eagle, Sweden is home to many other exciting birds of prey including the white-tailed sea eagle and the osprey, and is an excellent place to spot owls. One of the most instantly recognisable and iconic species must of course be the elk, of which there are about 350,000 during peak season in Sweden.

It sounds wonderful? When can I go?

Anytime! Sweden is an ideal destination for the outdoor enthusiast year-round, and the “Every Man’s Right” system of public access allows travellers intimate experiences with its vast wilderness. Nature Travels is the UK specialist for outdoor holidays in Sweden, with activities ranging from canoeing to dog sledding. Browse our range of experiences at www.naturetravels.co.uk and or contact us to discuss your requirements.

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

For more general information about Sweden, please see www.naturetravels.co.uk/about-sweden.htm

If you are in Sweden north of the Arctic Circle any time from May to mid-July, you may find it rather difficult to get to sleep at night – because the sun never sets! Even further south, the nights remain incredibly light, with the sun dipping reluctantly below the horizon at around 11pm, even then leaving in its wake more of a mystical half-light than real darkness, only to reappear ready for the new day at 3 o’clock the following morning.

Set amidst the vast, wild, awe-inspiring expanses of the Lapland mountain plains, the Midnight Sun is a very special phenomenon, one which each year attracts visitors from all over the world. Watching the sun descend towards the horizon, only seemingly to change its mind and climb once more into the sky, is an experience which alters our perception of what is “normal”, what is “real”. It goes against everything those who live further south think of as natural and self-evident. You may at first feel slightly unsettled as established “truths” are reassessed, but this quickly gives way to exhilaration and wonder that such a thing is possible. And that is the beauty of the Midnight Sun – its power is such that in those other-worldly night-time hours almost anything seems within reach. This is truly a magical time to be in northern Sweden!

Such extended daylight, of course, makes this time of year perfect for outdoor pursuits. It is not uncommon for the local people to come home from work and set off on a major hike into the hills, returning well after midnight. The Midnight Sun means that it is not only possible to enjoy the beautiful landscape for hour after hour, but, after a brief period of acclimatisation, visitors to the area usually find that they feel far more awake and have far more energy than usual. You may only be getting a few hours’ sleep a night, but you will awake with the birdsong, feeling refreshed and invigorated and eager to be out on the trail!

Winter will come around soon enough, and with it the welcoming darkness and a new range of pleasures. But for now it is time to revel in the unending daylight in the Land of the Midnight Sun!

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

Nature Travels offers two hiking tours in Lapland at this time of year giving you a chance to experience the wonder of the Midnight Sun. Both take place well inside the Arctic Circle. Hiking in the National Parks of Laponia is an accessible experience taking you through three National Parks in this UNESCO World Heritage area, while The Unknown Face of Sarek and the Rapa Valley Delta is an expedition into the untamed wilderness of Sarek National Park. Slightly south of the Polar Circle, but still with almost continuous daylight during the summer, we offer a number of horse riding holidays in Sweden suitable for both novice and experienced riders.

The elk, Alces alces, is an iconic animal for Sweden – a symbol of the wild, a symbol of the majesty and dignity of Sweden’s natural areas. The elk holds a particular fascination for overseas visitors, though in Sweden it is in fact one of the country’s most common wild animals. During the summer, when populations are at their height, there are around 350,000 elk distributed across the country, an average of 10-15 elk per 1,000 hectares. Of these, just under one third will be culled annually during the autumn elk hunting season, and elk is a popular meat throughout Sweden. Despite prolific hunting, elk populations continue to increase across the country. By the early 19th century, elk had become practically extinct in Sweden due to unregulated hunting and predation, but since tighter controls were introduced, populations have risen steadily.

Photo: Lars Gabrielsson

A fully-grown adult elk will eat between 10 and 12kg of food a day, and an incredible 15-30kg during the summer. As herbivores, about half of the elk’s diet is pine, and during the winter an adult elk can consume 5,000 pine trees! Such voracious appetites may put pressure on some local ecosystems, and so managing the elk populations of Sweden has become necessary to protect fragile habitats.

Mating occurs in early September, with the males vying for access to the females in dramatic antler clashes, and calving season for the elk is May and June, when one or two calves are born each weighing 10-15kg. These young calves, which are born reddish-brown but later develop a grey-brown coat, will stay with their mother until the next breeding season, when they will be driven off to make way for the new calves. By November, when they will be eating only solid food, the young elk will already weigh 130-150kg. This rapid weight gain stands them in good stead to survive the coming winter.

Photo: Bob Carter

Once fully grown, a bull can weigh anything up to 800kg, and a cow around 450kg on average. Only bulls have antlers, which are shed each year during the winter. Every year up to the age of around 10, bulls will add extra points, or tines, to their antlers. Some feel that hunting pressure on those bulls with the largest antlers has led to a decrease in quality of the elk gene pool, and debate is ongoing about how best to reconcile the interests of the hunters with the conservation lobby. Elks that manage to avoid the hunters can live to be 25 years old in the wild.

Photo: Roine Magnusson

Like those of other deer species, elk antlers are covered with a velvety skin while they are growing. Filled with blood vessels, this skin provides the antlers with everything necessary for growth. Once the antlers are fully developed, the elk will shed the velvet by rubbing the antlers against trees and bushes. Although the pace of growth, especially for a large set of antlers, is truly astonishing, closer inspection reveals that antlers are not the solid objects one might imagine. Rather, they are porous inside, with only a hard external coating to stand up to the rigours of combat.

Despite their size, elks are wonderfully graceful animals, moving quietly and fluidly through the deep forests and across the open fields in between. Elk can often be spotted standing quietly in open spaces at the edge of a forest as the evening sun sets. Elk are also accomplished swimmers, and in the archipelago areas can sometimes be seen striking out between the islands.

Photo: Joop Bierling

Our Elk Safari Adventure offers intimate encounters with the elk of Bergslagen, an area where elk outnumber the human population! From your base in an authentic charcoaler settlement, an experienced elk guide will take you deep into the surrounding forests to meet the King of the Forest in its natural habitat!

Best regards
The Nature Travels Team

Visit our website www.naturetravels.co.uk for more wildlife holidays in Sweden.

With 2000 miles of coastline and an archipelago of 24,000lands just off the capital Stockholm, Sweden is a wonderful destination for sea kayaking.

Sea kayaks, or touring kayaks, are longer, more stable versions of the kayaks intended for whitewater paddling. They are effectively small boats with a spray skirt to keep you dry during your adventures. While less maneuverable than whitewater kayaks, they are more comfortable and have a greater capacity for luggage storage. They don’t turn as well, but they are ideal for paddling in a straight line!

Sea kayaks may be designed for one, two or even three persons, with storage space in the body of the kayak for luggage and camping equipment. The possibility to take everything you need with you makes sea kayaks perfect for extended trips around the Swedish archipelagos, especially since, thanks to the “Every Man’s Right” system of public access, wild camping is generally permitted on most of the islands.

The design of modern sea kayaks has its root in the boats used by the indigenous peoples of North America and Greenland. In fact, the word “kayak” comes from the Greenland Eskimo work “kajakka”, meaning “small boat of skins.” Steering is accomplished by a combination of paddle work and, usually, but a foot-operated rudder. The rudder is usually retracted when landing.

These days sea kayaking is becoming increasingly popular, combining as it does much of the hiker’s joy of exploring nature in silence with the novelty and adventure of being on the water. What’s more, although your technique will certainly improve after a few days, sea kayaking is a very accessible sport for novices. The boats are stable and will not capsize easily, and with a little practice even a beginner can cover quite reasonable distances from the very start.

As you glide quietly through the water, kayaks produce very little disturbance to local wildlife, which makes it possible to have astonishingly intimate encounters with marine mammals and birdlife. Kayaks are therefore the ideal mode of transport for marine wildlife safaris!

Nature Travels offers sea kayaking experiences in the beautiful and wild area of Södermanlands archipelago, a short distance south of Stockholm. The experiences are open to novice or more accomplished paddlers, and give you an excellent opportunity to explore this unspoilt area in tranquility and silence. We also offer a tailor-made sea kayaking experience, where a tour can be created to suit the needs and wishes of your group.

The waves lap gently at the side of the boat and the cries of an Osprey echo across the water…. sometimes it seems that the Swedish coastline might have been created just for sea kayakers: so get paddling!

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

Wolverines are Sweden’s least known and most secretive large predator, and one of its most misunderstood. With such a confusing name, many people assume it must be some kind of wolf, perhaps a smaller cousin to that icon of the wilderness, the grey wolf.

Actually, wolverines are mustelids, a family which includes badgers and otters, and have far more in common with these animals than with their canine namesakes. Wolverines in Sweden have had a very hard time of it indeed, and have been saddled with a terrible reputation. Myths and folk wisdom have labelled the wolverine (in an image that is reminiscent of the folklore surrounding our own red fox here in the UK) as a bloodthirsty killer, a vicious glutton which takes pleasure in killing more than it really needs.

In reality, the wolverine has been called “the hyena of the northern mountains” and is for the most part a scavenger, actually a rather poor predator. In Sweden wolverines live predominantly on reindeer - which sometimes brings them into catastrophic conflict with the reindeer herding peoples of the north. When the snow has a crust, which is hard enough to support a wolverine but not the heavier reindeer, a wolverine has a chance of bringing down a reindeer, and this perhaps is what has given them such a bad reputation as wasteful killers. In fact, wolverines do not eat their whole kill in one go, but will, like the fox, hide most of it and return to it later. Traditionally wolverines in Sweden have been confined to the northern regions, though some are now spreading south, finding a new source of food - the by-product of the annual (human) elk hunt.

European wolverines are generally 70-85 cm long, rather smaller than their North American counterparts (which can reach 110cm), with a tail around 20cm long. An adult may weigh almost 20kg. Visually they resemble a large, brown, bushy-tailed badger. They are widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, inhabiting tundra and northern forest regions. Mating takes place between April and August, with 1-4 cubs being born the following February or March. While reindeer are the mainstay of their winter diet, in summer Swedish wolverines subsist mainly on small rodents, birds and vegetable matter. Wolverines are at their most active through the night and at dusk and dawn.

Though Sweden’s population is only a couple of hundred, wolverines are spreading slowly south into the areas away from the reindeer herds. A protected species in Sweden, the population is nevertheless subject to illegal hunting and persecution, usually as a result of conflict with the interests of reindeer herding. Since 1993 there has been an ongoing project to study the species with a view to planning for its conservation, in and around Sarek National Park in Lapland - a large expanse of trackless mountains often called “Europe’s Last Wilderness”. A total of 168 wolverines have been captured and fitted with radio transmitters to allow scientists to monitor their movements and behaviour.

With careful management and greater understanding, we hope that the mountains of Sweden will echo to the sounds of wolverines for many years to come!

Best regards
The Nature Travels Team

Nature Travels offers a number of experiences in Sweden which take place in around the range of the wolverine. Though we cannot promise you a glimpse of this elusive creature in the flesh, the wolverine’s homeland is a breathtaking and inspirational landscape, and you may find fresh tracks criss-crossing your path! See Snowshoeing in Wolverine Country.

To find out more about wolverines and wolverine conservation in Sweden, visit http://www.wolverinefoundation.org/research/persson.htm

The arctic fox, Alopex lagopus, otherwise known as the polar fox, is one of Sweden’s most threatened mammals and in danger of extinction everywhere in the European Union. Currently the mainland European population stands at just 150 individuals. In summer 2006, just three litters of foxes were born in Sweden, five in Norway and none at all in Finland. For this reason, Nature Travels has chosen SEFALO, a joint project between Sweden, Finland and Norway, as its conservation project to support for 2007.

What problems does the arctic fox face?

- Such a small population makes the species extremely vulnerable to changes in demographic factors, or “accidents” such as an outbreak of disease.

-Large areas previously populated by arctic foxes are now empty, and remaining animals find it difficult to find a non-related partner with which to breed.

- Arctic foxes are highly dependent on the natural population fluctuations of small mammals, such as lemmings, on which they feed. These cycles of peaks and troughs tend to repeat every four years, and a “bad” year for rodents can be disastrous for arctic fox populations.

- The red fox, Vulpes vulpes, is a strong, successful competitor, and is currently expanding its range into territories inhabited by arctic foxes.

- Itself a top predator, the arctic fox is also a victim of predation, ironically from many species which are themselves endangered, including the wolf, wolverine and golden eagle. Traditionally, arctic foxes have been used by indigenous peoples as a source of meat and fur.

What can be done to conserve and enhance current arctic fox populations?

SEFALO is engaged in a number of activities to attempt to reverse the decline of arctic foxes in Sweden, Norway and Finland:

-With the assistance of volunteers, population and behavioural data for arctic foxes is collected. Some animals have been tagged with radio collars to allow their movements to be monitored and to increase understanding of their behavioural patterns.

-A programme of supplementary feeding is being trialled in an attempt to increase the rates of productivity and decrease mortality among juveniles. Birth and survival rates are then compared with years when no feeding took place to assess the effectiveness of the strategy.

-In some cases control of the red fox population is necessary to safeguard the most valuable arctic fox territories.

-In areas around arctic fox dens in Sweden, it is hoped that a ban on ptarmigan hunting will reduce disturbance in some of the important arctic fox breeding grounds.

-Populations are monitored for disease and there is ongoing research into the cause of diseases likely to affect the fox populations.

-A programme of public education aims to highlight the plight of the arctic fox and raise the profile of the species as a priority for conservation.

With careful conservation measures, sufficient financial and public support, and a generous amount of good fortune, we hope that the future for the arctic fox both in Sweden and elsewhere will begin to turn a corner.

Nature Travels has a number of experiences in Sweden which take place in and around one of the country’s most important remaining arctic fox strongholds – Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve – and some of our partners in the area are actively involved in the SEFALO feeding project, delivering supplementary food to the local fox populations when it is most needed.

Browse our portfolio of experiences in the Vindelfjällen area:

Skeble Mountain Tour
The Björkfjäll Tour
The Fox Falls Tour
Vindel Mountains Expedition
The Glory of Winter: horse riding and cross-country skiing

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

- For further information on SEFALO’s work to conserve the arctic fox, see http://www.zoologi.su.se/research/alopex/

- Nature Travels will donate 2% of its corporate pre-tax profits for 2007 to SEFALO, the Swedish-Finnish-Norwegian Arctic Fox Project.

- Read our previous post about the beautiful Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve.

Those of our clients who choose to fly when travelling with Nature Travels are given the opportunity to offset the carbon dioxide produced by their flight and therefore help to mitigate the environmental impact of their holiday. An offset for a London-Stockholm flight costs just £3.50, and while offsetting is not a panacea to the problems associated with flying, it is an invaluable tool in the fight against climate change.

Offsets are provided through our partnership with Climate Care, which was recently ranked best performing provider in four out of seven categories in a report produced Clean Air – Cool Planet, a leading US climate change NGO.

The report, entitled “A Consumer’s Guide to Retail Carbon Offset Providers” and the first of its kind, is designed to provide guidance to consumers who wish to choose a responsible and effective carbon offset scheme. The UK government has recently announced plans to introduce an industry standard for offset providers, to avoid the danger of “greenwash” and to ensure that consumers can be confident that their money is being well spent, a move which emphasizes the increasing public awareness of climate change and increasing public willingness to tackle the problem.

Climate Care was listed first in the following categories:
• Prioritisation of offset quality
• Buyer’s ability to transparently evaluate offset quality
• Transparency in provider operation and offset selection
• Provider’s understanding of the technical aspects of offset quality

It was also listed second for:
• Ancillary environmental and sustainable development benefits of offset portfolios
• Use of third-party protocols and certification

So, congratulations to Climate Care on being formally recognised for its work in combating climate change!

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

Read more about Nature Travels’ ecotourism policy including information on our partnership with Climate Care.

Read more about Climate Care at www.climatecare.org

Climate change is reducing the snowfall in many previously snow-safe resorts, and scientists have found that rising temperatures are already leading to changes in snowfall patterns. “Alpine areas below 1,600m are now receiving 20 per cent less snow,” says Birgit Ottmer from the Davos-based Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research.

But interview a cross-section of downhill skiers on the slopes this year and ask them what they like about skiing, and many are likely to mention something about their love of the outdoors and the beauty of the scenery. Therein lies the rub. The truth is, downhill skiing can have an enormously destructive effect on the fragile mountain environment:

• Increasing numbers of resorts all over the world are relying on artificially generated snow. For example, in Austria and Italy more than 40% of ski areas now need to make their own snow, and even Swtizerland, where prior to 1990 snow-making was almost unheard of, now uses snow cannons in more that 10% of its ski areas. “Practically no ski area can now survive without artificial snow; you’d face great difficulties if you didn’t have it,” says Marika Zanoletti of the Davos Klosters Ski Company.

• Reliance on snow-making machines carries with it a number of problems. Not only is it a hugely expensive and extremely energy-hungry process, but artificial snow causes long-term damage to the vegetation beneath because of the chemical additives it contains.

• Snow cannons also make it possible to prolong the ski season, further increasing the pressure on the local environment.

• All resorts now use machines to grade the snow. This compacts the snow cover and destroys the vegetation beneath, which may take decades to recover.

• The ever-increasing popularity of downhill skiing creates traffic congestion and pollution in ski areas, new hotel and chalet developments sprawl across previously peaceful mountain villages, and the infrastructure of ski lifts destroys both the visual appearance of the mountainside and its habitat.

As lower altitudes experience problems with snow cover, there is a tendency to move resorts further and further up into the mountains, into areas which are often the last stronghold for threatened species of plants and animals. In Austria, pressure from the ski industry has resulted in the local authorities lifting a ban on ski resorts in the previously protected area of the Gepatsch glacier. Not that this is a guarantee, as since 1850 Europe has lost almost 50% of its glacier cover. The Swiss resort of Andermatt even wrapped its glacier in a protective PVC blanket last spring to combat the summer melt!

So, can I ski and still be green?

There is an increasing movement in the downhill ski industry towards more responsible practices, and this does hold some hope for the future. Reducing the carbon footprint of your trip and choosing your resort carefully will certainly go some way to greening your ski holiday. Alternatively, DON’T GO DOWNHILL SKIING!!!

Cross-country skiing, ski touring and snowshoeing all have a significantly lower impact on the environment than downhill skiing. They require far less infrastructure, reducing pollution, habitat degradation and energy use. What’s more, being out on your own in the forest with nothing but the crunch of your snowshoes or the “swoosh-glide” of your skis to break the silence is a magical feeling – a TRUE outdoor winter experience!

Photo: Anders Dahlin Naturfoto

At Nature Travels we specialize in low-impact, responsible outdoor activities in Sweden. Take a look at a sample of our winter portfolio, and discover a new world of winter experience!

Beginner in the Snow
Winter Weeks in the Mountains
Snowshoeing in Wolverine Country
Winter Wonderland on a Forest Farm

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

“Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ’till it’s gone?”

The words of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” seemed particularly poignant last month when an international research expedition concluded a six-week search for the 20-million-year-old Yangtze river dolphin, the Baiji, with these words:

“We have to accept the fact that the Baiji is functionally extinct. It is a tragedy, a loss not only for China, but for the entire world.”

The dolphin, one of the world’s oldest species and one of only five freshwater dolphins species in the world (all of which are on the IUCN’s Red List of endangered species), was driven to extinction by a combination of habitat destruction, illegal fishing and boat collisions.

But while many would have been saddened by news of the Baiji’s passing, how many had ever heard of the dolphin’s existence before the announcement?

Can my choice of holiday make a positive contribution and help to prevent such tragedies occurring in the future?

There has been much debate in the press recently about the value of ecotourism both to the environment and to local economies, and particularly about the dangers of “greenwashing” - the labelling of a particular product or experience as “eco-friendly”, when the reality may be very different. How, then, does ecotourism work in Sweden and is it having a positive effect?

At its best, ecotourism should provide some or all of the following benefits:

- Give threatened natural and cultural heritage an economic value. In short, protecting and conserving should become the right thing to do financially, not just ethically.

- Create access to unique and unforgettable nature experiences which would be difficult, if not impossible, for a traveller to organise independently.

- Increase awareness of the need for environmental and cultural conservation by turning visitors and guests into informal ambassadors who leave the country inspired and motivated to continue the principals of ecotourism and to encourage others to do so.

- Generate funds which can be used for ongoing conservation work of habitats, species and cultural heritage.

- Ecotourism can be part of the mix and a strategic partner to other forms of sustainable development and a viable alternative to unsustainable commercial exploitation of natural and cultural resources.

- With its focus on local products and services, ecotourism can generate far more employment possibilities than traditional nature tourism.

What has ecotourism already achieved in Sweden?

- Financial assistance for the preservation of species such as the critically endangered arctic fox, the European otter and a number of hunting falcons. In the archipelago, funds have been vital for the conservation of river mussels and the reintroduction of the sea eagle.

- The Ecopark in the centre of the Swedish capital Stockholm is an excellent example of how ecotourism can be used to defend nature under threat.

- The success of ecotourism in the northern regions of Sweden has helped the Sami people save their traditional way of life from extinction and to preserve their cultural heritage.

In a 2003 report entitled “Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Maine Initiatives and Swedish Lessons”, David Vail wrote:

“Ecotourism Swedish-style entails minimizing environmental damage, restoring ecosystem health, educating tourists about nature conservation and cultural heritage, and involving local residents in tourism management and benefits. Importantly, nature and cultural heritage are intertwined in the Swedish understanding of ecotourism.”

Your choice of holiday can and does have a significant effect on the culture and environment of the country you visit – choose well, and perhaps tragedies like the loss of the Baiji may one day become a thing of the past.

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

All the local providers Nature Travels uses for its experiences in Sweden are committed to the principles of ecotourism and sustainable development and passionate about the preservation and enhancement of Sweden’s unique natural world. The majority of our providers have received an award from the Swedish ecotourism body for their high standards of environmental sensitivity and customer service.

See here for further information on ecotourism in Sweden.

 

Mountain station wins environmental award for innovative heating system

The mountain station in the Grövel Lake area of Dalarna used for a number of our cross-country and hiking experiences has received the prestigious Royal Accommodation Award for Sustainable Tourism 2006. The awards, organised by the European Network for Sustainable Tourism Development and the EU project TourBench, are given for “major achievements towards more sustainable development in the tourist industry, including highly innovative measures to minimize environmental impacts.”

The mountain station, situated in an area which is covered in snow for much of the year, received the award for its unique new geothermal heating system. The lodge was also recognised for its organic cooking and range of ecotourism activities.

The criteria for entry into the competition are very strict. The facilities must carry an environmental certification or have received an environmental award. Working practices must be ecologically sound and entrants must have exceptional systems in place for reducing their ecological footprint. The business must contribute to sustainable development within the local region, for example by making use of locally-produced products.

“We have been working actively with environmental issues and long-term sustainable tourism…for 20 years. This prize demonstrates that it is not only our guests who appreciate our work,” said Charlie Ekberg, manager of the mountain station.

To browse some of the experiences on offer at this award-winning mountain station, please see:

• Winter Weeks in the Mountains
• Single in the Winter Mountains
• Spa and Hike in the Summer Mountains
• Single in the Summer Mountains

Best regards
The Nature Travels Team

What is a carbon footprint?

Your carbon footprint is part of your ecological footprint – the overall impact your activities have on the environment. The larger your footprint, the greater the amount of greenhouse gases your activities produce, measured in units of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Your emissions may be caused directly, through burning fossil fuels for domestic energy or transport, or indirectly as a result of the whole lifecycle of products you use – emissions connected with their manufacture, use and eventual breakdown.

How can I reduce my carbon footprint from travelling?

The golden rule is: “Reduce what you can and offset the rest.” If you do fly, fly less frequently, fly shorter distances (a return flight to Australia generates 17 times more CO2 than a flight to Sweden!), stay longer at your destination, use public transport both to your departure airport and within the country, and purchase an offset to mitigate your carbon emissions. An offset for a return flight to Sweden costs just £3.50.

What do we at Nature Travels do to reduce our footprint?

Of course, it’s not only when travelling that we produce greenhouse gases, and there are many straightforward steps we can all take in everyday life to reduce our emissions – steps which make sense from an economic as well as environmental standpoint.

Here are some of the ways we try to reduce our footprint at the Nature Travels office. It is easy to take this kind of advice as glib and meaningless, but small changes can make a real difference. Not only that, but they can save you a fortune!

· Nothing is left on standby. Ever. If it’s not being used for any length of time, we turn it off.
· We turn off the lights whenever we leave a room and all computer equipment overnight. The only thing switched on in our office after closing is the answerphone.
· The office is fitted with low energy light bulbs.
· We try to minimize our use of paper as much as we can. All correspondence is via email where possible. We use both sides of all paper. All written notes are done on the back of scrap paper. We do not print things out unless absolutely necessary.
· All waste products (paper, printer cartridges) are recycled where facilities exist. Recycled printer cartridges and used stamps are used to raise funds for conservation charities.
· The nature of our business means that we travel to