Welcome to Solskenet - Your Forest Hideaway
Where rustic charm meets quiet Swedish nature.
Step into the rich history of Solskenet, a timeless cabin built in the 1800s, once home to Swedish hard working families who lived in harmony with the land and seasons. The walls still whisper stories of quiet winters, warm hearths, and a life deeply connected to nature. Staying here is more than a getaway—it’s an invitation to slow down, breathe in the forest air, and reconnect with the rhythm of a simpler time. With no running water and electricity powered by the sun, you’ll experience the charm of old-world living, wrapped in comfort and peace.
A Historic Forest Hideaway in Sweden
feel welcome in the forest of sweden
The History of Solskenet
Solskenet is more than a cabin – it’s a living piece of Swedish history.
Built around 1850, this little red house in the woods was originally owned by a forest cooperative. It served as a modest home for a local family who worked for the forestry company that once shaped life in this part of Sweden. Simple, sturdy, and built to last, the cabin stood strong through long winters and quiet seasons of change.
Eventually, the cooperative sold the property. It was bought from a local farming family – a family who still owns the surrounding land today. One of the cabin’s most memorable residents was a pharmacist, who lived here with his wife and children. Traces of their life remain: old schoolwork tucked in the desk in Bedroom 1, and well-worn Bibles resting in the cabinet in the dining room.
Solskenet is filled with antiques and small details from days gone by – a spinning wheel, handmade textiles, carved wooden furniture, and carefully chosen pieces that have stood the test of time. These items are not decorations, but part of the cabin’s soul. We ask you to treat them gently. Solskenet has survived over 170 years, not by being untouched, but by being loved.
In later years, the cabin became a beloved summer retreat for a Swedish family who used it to slow down, reconnect, and pass on traditions. When the father passed away, the house was sold in 2022 to two women who began a thoughtful and extensive restoration – carefully reviving its charm while respecting its history.
Then, in 2024, we found it – and fell in love.
We completed the final stages of renovation, added the last layers of warmth and comfort, and opened the doors to share this special place with others. Solskenet now stands ready for new stories – for quiet mornings, forest walks, and simple living with those you love.
We hope you’ll feel the quiet strength of this place.
And that you’ll love it just as much as we do.
Inside the Cabin
The Living Room
Step into a cozy and timeless space. With its deep green vintage armchairs, a soft rug, and a red pellet stove, this room invites long conversations, board games, and reading sessions as the fire gently hums in the background.
The Dining Room
Gather around the rustic dining table for six, beneath the gentle glow of old-fashioned lamps. Antique cabinets hold delicate pieces from another era, and a bright red woven rug warms the wooden floor.
The Old Kitchen Corner
Once the heart of the home, the old kitchen has been turned into a snug sitting area where you can enjoy a warm drink while watching the flames dance in the fireplace. A spinning wheel and other treasures whisper stories from long ago.
The Kitchenette
Simple and practical, the kitchenette offers a two-burner cooking plate, basic kitchenware, and a refrigerator. It’s designed for slow, simple meals – think forest-foraged mushrooms, locally baked bread, and coffee brewed on the stove.
Bedrooms
Bedroom 1 – The Forest Room
A peaceful retreat for two. This room features a comfortable double bed with soft, clean linens and fluffy pillows. The wooden walls carry the warmth of over a century of history, and antique touches add to the nostalgic charm. In the early morning, golden light spills through the small window, often accompanied by the gentle sound of birdsong. It’s a space to truly unwind, far away from the noise of modern life.
Bedroom 2 – The Bunk Room
Charming and cheerful, this room is perfect for children or a group of close friends. It has two sturdy wooden bunk beds, each with thick duvets, soft wool blankets, and a reading light. There’s a small vintage chest to tuck away treasures and a window that frames the forest like a painting. In the stillness of night, you might even hear the rustle of deer nearby or the distant hoot of an owl.
Both rooms are simple, serene, and designed to offer deep rest in the heart of nature.
Water & Facilities
Toilet – Just a few steps from the cabin, you’ll find our traditional Swedish utedass (dry composting toilet). Nestled between trees and flowers, it’s clean, well-kept, and surprisingly charming. With its little window and wooden walls, it feels more like a tiny forest retreat than a bathroom. A gentle reminder that nature and simplicity can go hand in hand.
Shower – Yes, you’ll shower outside – and trust us, it’s magical. Our warm outdoor shower is surrounded by trees and sky. Whether you’re rinsing off after a hike or starting your morning with birdsong and sunlight on your skin, it’s a refreshingly pure experience. The water is heated and flows strong – no cold shocks unless you want one!
Water – Inside, there’s no running water – and that’s part of the adventure. Next to the cabin stands the pump house, with an original hand pump that still draws up crystal-clear groundwater. It’s a little workout and a lot of fun. We’ve made it easy by providing clean containers, a filter system in the house so you can use the water for drinking, cooking, and washing. This old-fashioned rhythm slows you down in the best possible way.
Staying at Solskenet means returning to the basics – but with comfort, care, and a lot of heart. It’s not about going without – it’s about discovering how little you really need.
Outdoor Living
Veranda – One of the cabin’s most beloved spots. Start your day with coffee under the pine trees, listen to the wind rustling the leaves, or linger long after sunset with candles and a woolen blanket. The wooden veranda wraps around the house and offers forest views in every direction – your front-row seat to silence.
Fireplace – Inside, the pellet stove glows warmly. Outside, a firepit invites you to gather under the stars, toast something delicious, and tell stories late into the night. Firewood is stacked and ready – just bring your matches and your dreams.
Forest – There’s no fence, no border – just endless nature. Step out the door and onto mossy forest paths. Pick berries in summer, mushrooms in fall, or simply wander. With no cars, no crowds, and no noise, the forest becomes your sanctuary. Watch the light shift through the trees and feel your whole body breathe again.
Off-Grid, But Not Unplugged
Electricity – Solskenet runs on solar power, offering a simple yet comfortable stay. You’ll have enough energy for warm lighting in the evenings, charging your devices, and running the cozy pellet stove that keeps the cabin warm on chilly nights. The gentle hum of simplicity – no flickering screens, just real light and real quiet.
Wi-Fi – Nope. And that’s exactly the idea. Solskenet invites you to truly unplug. To read a book, write a postcard, sit by the fire, or simply be. The forest has better reception than any phone ever could. But if you want, your cellphone internet reception is 5G.
Dogs – Absolutely! Well-behaved dogs are not just allowed – they’re celebrated. Roam the woods together, letthem nap on the veranda, and share in your off-grid adventure. We only ask you to respect the wildlife and clean up after your furry companions. NOTE: dogs have to be kept on a leash at all time.
Location
Solskenet is tucked away in the quiet forest of Skälhult, a tiny hamlet resting in the triangle between Karlsborg, Tibro, and the lakeside town of Hjo. Just 3 kilometers from the shores of Lake Vättern, the second-largest lake in Sweden, it’s a secret spot few tourists ever find.
You’re only about 30 minutes from the startingpoint of Västra Vätterleden hiking trail – a scenic route stretching through old pine forests, lakes, and hidden viewpoints – and from the untouched island world of Ombo Öar, perfect for kayaking or a quiet picnic on the rocks.
Despite the remote feeling, small villages are within reach. Tibro offers groceries and essentials, Karlsborg has history and charm at the Götakanal and fortress, and Hjo is known for its wooden houses, craft shops, and old harbor cafés where you can sit with a waffle and watch the world float by.
Solskenet sits right in the middle of all of this – yet feels like a world away.
Budget-Friendly & Soul-Rich
This is not a place of luxury – unless you consider silence a luxury, and stars a kind of wealth.
There’s no spa, no minibar, and no TV. But there’s a crackling fire, the scent of pine needles, and the deep rest that comes from breathing clean air and doing absolutely nothing for a while.
Solskenet is for the ones who seek stillness.
For wanderers, writers, nature-lovers, and families who want to teach their children how to live with nature, not just near it.
It’s budget-friendly, yes – but soul-rich in every sense of the word.
Come with an open heart, and leave with a full one.
