Bear
Just over 2 hours north of Arlanda,
you can experience encounters with wild brown bears.
In northern Gästrikland stands a specially built forest hut
where both bears and other animals have been seen on many occasions.
The hide stands a little high up and overlooks three directions.
In the mossy pine forest with large boulders, a bear can appear at any time.
A chance to experience bears at close quarters
Meet in Wild Nordic’s gallery. A medium sized sandwich is served and we go through all the practical information.
After a short walk through the forest, the guide shows you the right way to hide and on your own you begin the exciting search.
The hide has 4 places.
Booking and the season
-
Season: 20 april - 10 september.
All days of the week except Monday. - When booking 1 person, 1 more guest will be booked.
- When booking 2-4 people you get the hide to yourself.
- april 20 - may 20 and august 15 - september 10 the meeting time is at 14:00
- may 21 - august 14 we meet at 15:00
Prices
- 1 person: 3000 SEK
- 2 persons: 3000 SEK per person
- 3 persons: 2400 SEK per person
- 1 adult + 1 child: 4200 SEK
- 2 adults + 1 child: 6000 SEK
- 2 adults + 2 children: 7200 SEK
*Children refers to ages 5-15 years
The price includes
- Homemade snacks on arrival
- Transport to and from the hide
- A night in the hide
- Bright binoculars
- Bird and animal books
- Breakfast buffet
- Access to guest room with beds
To bring
- Rubber boots / shoes
- Camera
- Food and drink for the time in the hide (ca 17-08:00)
To think about
- Do not bring rustling packaging (eg. crisp bags). repack them in lunch/plastic boxes
- No strong perfumes / detergents or other strong scents. Preferably come "neutral".
Other species
- Nearly always: Jay, red squirrel, chaffinch, great spotted woodpecker
- Often: Fox, badger, willow tit
- Occasionally: Grey-headed Woodpecker, black woodpeckers, brambling, buzzards, goshawks, sparrow hawk, raven, great tit, crow, magpie, crossbill, vole
- Rarely: White-tailed eagle, golden eagle, deer, moose, pine marten
Our activities are done on the conditions of nature and there is no guarantee of what we will see / hear / experience.
During the five seasons of 2016-2020 the average success rate of the bear watching activity was 90%. In 2017 Gävleborg County had about 500 bears. The authorities then took the decision to drastically decrease the bear population. The county now has about 300 bears.
In August 2020 some of the largest bears of the area were shot. As a result, the bear watching season of 2021 turned out very different from previous years. When the larger and older bears disappear, the younger bears become more insecure and frightened.
Fewer bears in an area obviously mean fewer bear sightings. In 2021 the success rate was only 45%. However, the season ended with frequent visits by a female bear with two cubs, which is a good sign for the coming season.
If there are fewer bears in one particular area, the experts believe that new bears will establish themselves in that area. There is no guarantee of seeing bears. The activity is done on the terms of nature and wildlife, but we make every effort to optimize the chances. The guests must also follow our advice and guidelines. Our season is covering the best time of the year for bear watching. Every year bears have visited the hide about one month before and one month after the actual season.
Adventurous bear viewing April 20-May 9
As there may be snow remaining during this period and the thawing is in full swing we cannot use the road but must walk 1.5 km through the forest.
During the walk we can encounter both exciting tracks and wildlife. During this period the activity is suitable for healthy adults with relatively good fitness.
Arrangement
A modest sandwich is served on arrival and we go through all the practical information. After a short walk through the forest, the guide shows you the right way to hide and on your own you begin the exciting search. In the morning you will be picked up by the guide and breakfast buffet is served in the gallery. Maybe you’ve been awake all night and need to rest before returning home. You are welcome to use one of our guest rooms.
Photograghy
The bears usually stay 20-30 metres from the hide (as close as 6-7 metres). For photographing, 100-500 mm lens work well. Of course, it is also possible to use simpler cameras with shorter focal lengths, when shooting directly through the windows. The hide has 9 photo windows on 3 of the 4 walls. There are “bean bags” for the cameras in the hide and smart tripod solutions. Your own tripod heads/tripods do not work. Flash is not allowed.
You are safe and secure in the hide. The bears are very shy and the smallest sounds can make them run away. The hide has 2 beds, 140×200 cm (you can lie 2 in 1 bed) and a simple toilet. Blankets, sleeping bags and pillows are available, also warm slippers of various sizes and the floor has an insulating mat as well as rag rugs on top. There is good mobile coverage in the hide.
Good to know before this activity
Guided tour
A guide informs you of all the details and shows you the right things to do in the hide. In the morning, the guide will meet you and answer questions during breakfast.
Snack
There is a modest sandwich on arrival. Notify us about any special diet / allergy.
Packed lunch
You can bring your own food or order a lunch bag containing pasta salad, sandwich, fruit, juice, tea / coffee. 225 SEK/person.
Breakfast
Breakfast is included in this activity. Notify us about any special diet / allergy.
Impression
Feel free to share your opinions about your experience on Tripadvisor and Google