We run Sulvikstugby 25 km from Glaskogen nature reserve. A proper cabin with kitchen and hot shower gives a far better base for day trips than camping inside the reserve.
By Christer, Sulvikstugby · Updated May 22, 2026
Glaskogen accommodation: our guide to cabins, location and what you actually get
You've decided on Glaskogen. The question is where you sleep. Glaskogen nature reserve is 30,000 hectares of forest, lakes and trails, and as many people discover when it's time to book, there's no central "hotel by the gate". Accommodation is spread around the reserve, and your choice of base matters more than most people expect. We've run Sulvikstugby for many seasons and see the same thing every spring: guests who planned to camp inside the reserve change their minds when they understand what it means to have a proper cabin 25 km away instead.
Here we go through what accommodation actually exists around Glaskogen, why Sulvik is an underrated option, and how to match your choice to your type of trip: couple, family or hiking group.
Short answer first
Glaskogen accommodation falls into three practical categories: wilderness camping inside the reserve, basic campsites on the outskirts, and rental cabins in the villages around it. If you want comfort, a roof, a kitchen and hot water after a day on the trail, a cabin in Sulvik (25 km from the reserve) is the practical choice. Tents and hostels suit those looking for a more stripped-back outdoor experience.
The three types of Glaskogen accommodation
Wilderness camping inside the reserve. You bring a tent, pack light, make fires at designated spots and collect water from the lake. Most natural in midsummer. Requires self-sufficiency; toilets are composting outhouses and showers don't exist.
Cabins and cabin villages in the surrounding towns. This includes Sulvik, the areas toward Arvika and the smaller villages in the direction of Eda. You get a kitchen, beds, hot water and a shower, plus a short drive to the trailhead. For most guests, this is the right balance.
Apartments and central options. Arvika town centre is 11 km from us and has a couple of hotels and short-term rentals. A good choice if you want to combine Glaskogen days with shopping or restaurants, though the drive to the reserve is longer.
Why we think Sulvik works as a base for Glaskogen
When we talk to guests after their stay, three things come up: the distance, the proximity to water and the quiet. Sulvik sits beside Glafsfjorden, the lake is literally 1 km away, and Kolsjön beach is 3 km. That means even a rainy day or an afternoon when the hike ended earlier than planned has a plan B right outside the door.
Bergs klätt is 6 km away and works well as a warm-up before you head into Glaskogen: a shorter walk with a view that doesn't take the whole day. And when you're ready for the reserve, it's 25 km by car. That distance is worth thinking about: close enough for day trips there and back, far enough that your evenings will be properly quiet.
The seasons: what we've seen makes a difference
May and June. Trails dry out, the deciduous trees come into leaf, and mosquitoes are still manageable. Our favourite time to recommend for couples who want to hike without sweating through the whole trip. Book early; high season starts earlier than people expect.
July and the first half of August. Warm, the lakes are swimmable, and campsites inside the reserve fill up. This is when the advantage of a cabin in Sulvik is most obvious. While others are searching for a tent spot, you have your own kitchen and your own dock.
Late August and September. Our quietest and most underrated period. Mushrooms, autumn colours, cooler evenings. Good if you want the reserve more to yourselves.
October to April. Only cabins are realistic; camping closes. Winter in Värmland is beautiful but requires proper gear, and trails are not maintained. For winter hiking, we recommend getting in touch before you book so we can align expectations.
Matching accommodation to your type of trip
Couple on a hiking weekend. Cabin outside the reserve. You can do a decent trail, swim in Glafsfjorden and cook dinner in peace. Three nights gives you a solid start.
Family with children. Cabin, definitely. Small children and composting outhouses rarely mix well, and the option to stay home on a rainy morning is invaluable. Kolsjön (3 km) is a good alternative to Glaskogen swimming when the day calls for something simpler.
Hiking group doing long sections. Wilderness camping inside the reserve can be right here, but many combine it by using a cabin as start and end point with one night under canvas in the middle. You get a hot shower both before and after.
Solo traveller. Depends on what you're after. If you want quiet, safety and a proper base, book a cabin. If you want complete solitude in nature, the reserve's wilderness camping is made for exactly that.
More than Glaskogen: what to do between hiking days
One thing we like to remind guests: don't fill every slot with Glaskogen. Värmland around Sulvik offers more than the reserve, and it's worth planning one or two slower days between hikes. Rackstadmuseet is 12 km away and makes a great rainy-day option. Klässbols Linneväveri (37 km) is worth an afternoon for anyone who appreciates craft and textiles. If you golf, Eda Golfklubb is 22 km away and Arvika GK is 33 km. Valfjället, 28 km away, is interesting both for the views and for anyone wanting a longer walk than Glaskogen's easier trails offer.
For a shopping afternoon, Charlottenbergs Shoppingcenter (30 km) is popular with Norwegian visitors and practical if you need to top up your outdoor kit.
Frequently asked questions about Glaskogen accommodation
How far is it really from Sulvik to Glaskogen? 25 km by car. Allow roughly half an hour's drive depending on which part of the reserve you're starting from.
Do you need a car to stay in Sulvik and visit Glaskogen? Yes, in practice. Public transport in the area is limited and Glaskogen's entry points are not near bus stops. A car is recommended.
Can we stay with you and do day trips into the reserve? That's exactly what most of our guests do. It works very well: you have your own kitchen for cooking and come home to a hot shower in the evening.
When should we book for summer? As early as possible. July is our most requested month and tends to fill up during the winter.
Is there accommodation inside the reserve itself? Within the reserve there are designated tent pitches and shelters for those hiking through. Cabins and fixed accommodation are in the towns around it.
Is it possible to swim near the accommodation? Yes. Glafsfjorden is 1 km from us and Kolsjön beach is 3 km away. Ingestrand badplats is an option at 18 km.
What do we do if the weather turns? Rackstadmuseet (12 km) and Arvika town centre (11 km) are good indoor options. Storkasberget (18 km) and Bergs klätt (6 km) can be combined with shorter walks if it clears up in the afternoon.
Is the accommodation family-friendly? Yes. A cabin with its own kitchen and swimming nearby generally works better for families than camping inside the reserve.
Book your cabin as a base for Glaskogen
We've seen what works for guests who want to combine Glaskogen's trails with proper accommodation. Get in touch and we'll help you find the right dates.
Further reading
Maria & Christer
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