Traditional Swedish forest cottages by a lake on Varmland-Dalarna border sauna
Traditional red wooden house in village of Uvanå on northernmost shores of Lake Nain bordering Värmland and Dalarna. The main building was once the village store, which explains the name 'Gammal Affar'. All accommodation is extremely spacious. The main house comprises three large bedrooms and sleeps a family group of up to 6 very comfortably.
Downstairs, in the room which once housed a shop, there is a large living area which includes open plan lounge and dining space with seating for 8-10 people. We have had a wood burning stove recently installed which adds a welcome cosiness on cooler months. There is a TV and well-stocked DVD and VHS library. We have installed a large new kitchen area in another downstairs room. From the hall there is a downstairs bathroom with large shower, toilet and wash basin. This has been newly installed for 2024.
Upstairs, once the store-keeper's apartment, there are three spacious bedrooms, one with king size bed, one with a queen/double bed and one with twin beds, or large double. This is also a quiet lounge with open fireplace and stunning views of the lake and a study area.
Cottage 1 is an historical, 16th century log-built 'stuga' cabin with king size bed, open fireplace, lounge space, fully equipped kitchen dining area and toilet with handbasin.
Cottage 2 contains bunk beds, shower area and also houses the sauna cabin. Beautiful lake views from both. All properties are heated and constant running hot water supplied by the geo-thermal system.
In 2015 we have had a large decking area built in the main garden with dining table and seats and sun loungers for relaxation and outdoor dining. Views over the garden and lake.
Things to do in Uvana village: The village of Uvanå is deep in the forests of Värmland at the northern head of Lake Nain which borders the Dalarna region of Sweden. The region is steeped in Swedish traditions and ancient folklore, and famous for its midsummer festivities and crafts such as the making of the Dala horse.
The immediate area is referred to as 'Tiomilaskogen.' (Ten Mile Wood - that's Swedish miles!). Each year the villages of Tiomilaskogen, including Uvanå host folk arts festival at the end of July. You can sample regional foods, buy traditional craft items, and see the work of locally based artists and performers . You can also visit the neighbouring villages in the woods where everyone welcomes you and opens their doors.
The lake is just a short walk away from the house approx 100 m.Here you can swim or launch one of our canoes. There is also a swimming area and beach 10 min walk from the house- signposted 'Badplats'.
There is a local 'fishing club' in front of our property on the lake shores. Fishing permits (fiskekort) can be purchased from any of our neighbours for a small fee. This will allow you to fish from other local lakes. Explore by boat, hike or bike.
Places of interest/things to do in summer: We have local guides in the area from whom you can also rent boats, bikes and winter equipment.
The forest is full of walking and cycling tracks. You can pick wild blueberries and lingonberries from the surrounding forest (or in season help yourself to blackcurrants, raspberries and gooseberries from the garden).
In Yttermalung hire a 'Bastu Flötten'/floating sauna on a motorised raft, take a cool dip, fish, picnic. Try quad biking, horse riding and white water canoeing or take a hot tub. The local wildlife of the area are moose, beaver, lynx, wolf and brown bear - but don't worry the last two stay away from people in the wild! A guide can take you on moose/elk or beaver safari. Visit the predator centre in Råda village or Orsa bear park.There is a moose sanctuary near Ekshärad. Karlstad is just over an hour away if you want to shop or visit lake Vänern. Visit Sunne the home of Selma Lagerlof,the famous writer. Visit Tourist Info in Hagfors or Eksharad for more ideas on activities and adventures. Take a steam boat on the fryken lakes from Sunne to Torsby.
Things to do in winter: There is excellent season-long downhill skiing at Sälen(80km), Branäs(100km) or Säfsen(50km) and good local practice slopes at Ekshärad, Malung and Äpplebo. Floodlit night-skiing above the twinkling village lights of Ekshärad is a rare treat. Try cross country ski lessons or learn to snow shoe hike or ice fish in winter with our neighbour in Tyngsjö 6km away. If the conditions are good he also lays an ice-skating track around the lake there. Husky dogs in Sunnemo/Malung-take a husky sled through the snow or let them take you for a walk.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Hagfors
Located in Hagfors, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Mana-Örbäckens Nature Reserve and Brattfallet Waterfall, while Monica Zetterlund Museum and Hagfors Railway Museum are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Tallhults Motor Stadium or Uddeholm Arena. Enjoy the area's slopes with skiing, and don't miss out on the sledging and ice skating.
Mana-Örbäckens Nature Reserve - 36 min drive - 42.2 km
Vansbro River Park - 55 min drive - 58.9 km
Getting around
Hagfors (HFS) - 41 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Traditional Swedish forest cottages by a lake on Varmland-Dalarna border sauna pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Traditional Swedish forest cottages by a lake on Varmland-Dalarna border sauna?
As of 1 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Traditional Swedish forest cottages by a lake on Varmland-Dalarna border sauna on 2 April 2026 start from NZ$353, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Traditional Swedish forest cottages by a lake on Varmland-Dalarna border sauna?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Traditional Swedish forest cottages by a lake on Varmland-Dalarna border sauna?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Traditional Swedish forest cottages by a lake on Varmland-Dalarna border sauna?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Traditional Swedish forest cottages by a lake on Varmland-Dalarna border sauna located?
Located on the waterfront, this family-friendly cottage is within 25 mi (40 km) of Tallhults Motor Stadium, Monica Zetterlund Museum and Mana-Örbäckens Nature Reserve. Halgåleden and Hagfors Railway Museum are also within 25 miles (40 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Wonderful house in the middle of a small Village. Friendly and helpfull owner and neighbours.
Christof S.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 29 July 2025
Thank you for your feedback.
We are very glad that you enjoyed your stay and you are very welcome to stay again.
Jackie and Mike.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jackie L.
13 January 2019
Very spacious accomadation right in the middle of beautiful Swedish forests and lakes.
Excellent, spacious, clean with everything you need to enjoy your holiday.
Jackie L.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2020
We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay at our place in Uvanå.
Winter is a magical time in Sweden with lots of snowy activities to enjoy. We hope that you enjoyed the cross country skiing, downhill skiing, husky dog sledding, ice fishing and snow shoe hiking.
Nice former Lanthandel house with additional Sauna cabin.
In summary it was a good stay. Unfortunately the boats were not usable for us. One canoe was broken, the other one not for use with children and the rowing boat was under water.
Nikolas S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 3 August 2023
Hi Nikolas
We are pleased that you had a good holiday in Uvanå.
It was unfortunate that our last guests had left the rowing boat out in the rain and that it had filled with water. We normally leave upside down on the lakeside to avoid this from happening and ask guests to put items back where they found ready for our next guests to use. The canoe was also broken by the previous guests and will be repaired this week. We offered you the use of our neighbours large red canoe for the duration of your stay and I hope that this was convenient for you and you enjoyed using it. The yellow canoe is best to use kneeling and paddling. This makes it more stable and useable as we previously discussed.
We have also now got a newer boat that guests could use during their stay if required.
Thank you for your feedback. We strive to continue to improve all of the facilities at the house for guests to use. We’re glad that you had a good stay.
Very best wishes
Jackie and Mike.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Kerstin M.
19 March 2013
Best family holiday ever
We spent two weeks in this Swedish Holiday House last July with three teenagers and even though the weather was not always sunny, we had a brilliant time. The house was really cozy upstairs and the lack of internet and TV channels made this a fabulous family holiday. We played games, went canoeing on the lake, went on Elk Safari, explored the surroundings of Uvåna, used the Sauna every Night, enjoyed the garden playing badminton and Boules. Best Family holiday we ever had. The area is remote and beautiful. So much forest. We did an Elk Safari with PJ Erlebnistours in Ekshärad and learned a lot about Värmlands Wildlife. We also went on the Dressin Trolleys which was great fun as well. Loved everything about this holiday!
Kerstin M.
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2020
We are so happy that you had a wonderful family holiday in Uvanå. We have to agree that it is the most idyllic, get away from it all haven! Certainly if you enjoy nature, wildlife and outdoor adventures in summer or winter you'll enjoy this beautiful part of Sweden.
We do agree it is cosy upstairs with the lounge with open fire and great views of the forest and lake.We have also had a wonderful wood burning stove installed in to the main lounge downstairs which adds a welcoming cosiness to the house in spring, autumn and winter.
More additions are planned for the coming few years!
There are many wildlife adventures, canoe tours and skiing destinations around the area and the Swedish Rally passes the house in February.
Das Haus ist sehr geräumig und speziell die Küche super eingerichtet.
Hat alles gepasst und wir verbrachten tolle Urlaubstage. Gut eingerichtet für viele Gäste, einzig nur ein Bad/ Toilette kann zu Engpässen führen.
Ansonsten sehr zufrieden.
Dankeschön
Thomas B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 2 August 2022
Hello Thomas
Thank you for choosing to stay at our place in Uvanå. It was lovely to meet you and your friends and I am pleased you enjoyed your stay. There is a second toilet in the black house in the garden which we normally would let larger groups use during their stay. On this occasion you kindly let myself and my sister occupy the black garden house as we were working at the Tiomilaskogen culture event in Uvanå. Many thanks!
I am extremely grateful for your feedback and you and your friends are very welcome to stay again in the future.
Best wishes
Jackie.x
Nach anfänglichen Problemen mit Heizung und Elektrizität ,die dann doch schnell vom Vermieter und hilfsbereiten Nachbarn gelöst werden konnten, haben wir uns sehr wohl gefühlt in diesem gemütlichem Haus mit guter Ausstattung.Direkt vom Haus mit Langlauf-Ski starten ,in der Nähe Schlittschuh laufen, ausgedehnte Waldwanderungen und anschließend in der Sauna und vor dem Kamin entspannen - einfach ein toller Urlaub.Danke .
kathrin u.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 January 2022
Dear Kathrin and family
Thank you for staying at our houses in Uvanå, Sweden. We are pleased that you had a great stay, enjoying the houses and the area. It certainly was a winter wonderland this year!
Thank you for your patience with regards to the heating and electricity at the beginning of your stay. We were pleased that this was quickly and easily resolved for you.
We had been waiting for a further update to the supply from the Swedish electricity company and it wasn’t clear if this work had been carried or not.
Certainly, too much power usage at one time ( use of sauna at the same time as lots of other electrical Items) seemed to prove tricky for the system at the start of your visit.
It is indeed a very warm and cosy house in winter. A delight when you have been out all day having adventures in the snow!
Thank you for looking after the houses. It was a delight to host you and your family. You are welcome to stay again anytime!
Best wishes
Jackie and Mike.x
Lovely house with nice lake and beautiful forest around
We spend 3 weeks with familiy and friends at Uvanå and enjoyed it a lot! The kitchen is brand new and well equiped. The house is furnished with love and we felt very comfortable there. We found a lot of mushrooms, rasberrys and blueberrys in the forest close to the house- our kids enjoyed it a lot. The lake is beautiful, we fished successfully. Jackie and Lucas were very helpfully- the communication was uncomplicated and we get every information very quick.
Thank you Jackie and Lucas for this nice holiday.
Quiet and calm house with room for everyone. Close to the water, and we really enjoyed using the canoes and boat.
Ellinor W.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 9 August 2020
Dear Ellinor, We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay in Uvanå at our houses. It is truly a magical spot! We also love the lake, being on the water and exploring the area.
You are very welcome to stay again!
Jackie and Mike.x
House is located at a beautiful lake, large garden. Usage of boats was kind and fun. Kitchen and bathroom are basic.
We had a great week with lots of outside activity thanks to the good weather.
Excellent facilities for our extended family, 6 adults and 2 children and baby.
Great property, each group could have their own spaces. Boat, canoes and the lake for swimming was ideal. Simple type of holiday surrounded by nature. Picnic bags and plates etc. provided. Could however have done with proper pillows instead of foam pieces. Not all mosquito nets at windows intact. Some Other mosquito nets had holes. Being in the forest area there were lots of mosquitos and warning to stock up with repellant would have been helpful. 20-25 mins to nearest shops. Need to plan food. Otherwise a great time was had by all.
Gunilla T.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2020
Dear Gunilla
We are pleased that you had a great holiday and enjoyed the boats, lake and nature.
There certainly is a lot of space at the property and we love this and the tranquility here.
We try and leave everything you should need to enjoy your holiday to the full at the houses and appreciate your feedback. We will be replenishing pillows for next year and will look into providing new quality pillows and pillow protectors for our guests.
We provide mosquito nets for the beds and windows if needed. We also provide a lot of mosquito repellants in one of the kitchen drawers. We find the mosquitoes are only a problem for a couple of weeks a year and try to take precautions ie.. wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening and close doors and windows to the house at this time too.
We discuss prior to your visit to take provisions to the houses and the location of the nearest supermarkets in the area.
In summer it is a great place to have a bbq and enjoy simple food with friends and family on the outside garden decking. There is also a gazebo with mosquito netting for outside to enjoy the views down to the lake.
It was lovely to host your stay and you are very welcome to stay in the future.
Best wishes
Jackie and Mike.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Louise F.
4 August 2015
Truly memorable holiday, perfect setting
We would highly recommend Gammal Affar in Uvana for anyone looking for a taste of Sweden. It offers a traditionally Swedish summerhouse with everything that goes with it – open fires; guest stugor in the grounds; perfect lake at the end of the garden; boat and canoes; sauna; forest; flora and fauna … a perfect setting. The accommodation was spacious and comfortable for our three generations (7 of us), and beautifully decorated and furnished. It was clean and tidy when we arrived and Jackie was available at all times to answer any queries we had during our stay. The open fires made us cosy on the cooler evenings, the kitchen was well equipped and the dining room made every meal feel like a special occasion. The new hot tub was a lot of fun, (plenty of room for all of us) and the sun deck was great too. We have some amazing photos of the lake taken from the boat and bathing place, as a reminder of a truly memorable holiday. We wish we could have stayed longer to enjoy the good weather (our first few days were cold and wet)! By the way, we would recommend a visit to the Varmland Elk Park run by a young English guy, James. He and Jamie offer an interesting tour with lots of information and facts about Swedish Elk, as well as really hands-on contact with elks there. Thanks, Jackie, we hope to be back again in the future!
Louise F.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Annebeth W.
12 January 2015
Wonderful estate with 3 houses!
Very friendly owners who leave you all possible equipment in a house with warm atmosphere. The property really has 3 houses, ideal for larger groups. The location is wonderful, very close to the lake, in rough nature, situated in a small community with about 10 other houses. Neighbors are helpful when needed. Wintertime gave us a peek into a true winter wonderland!
Annebeth W.
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2020
Dear Annebeth and family, we are really pleased that you had a great time staying at our place in Uvanå! It is quite magical during the winter season and the houses provide a warm and cosy, welcome shelter from the cold weather activities! We hope that you will be able to visit again.
You are welcome to return at any time!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Esther G.
14 August 2014
A very beautiful place te stay!
Very nice and quiet place to stay in a traditional Swedish house in the middle of the Woods. We loved the lake, the sauna, walks, picking Berry's and canoeing. We saw even some wildlife.
We recommend this place to everyone.
Esther G.
Archival
8/10 Good
24 September 2013
Like Canada - only nearer!
We had a fantastic family holiday at Uvanå.
The property description was accurate although as we were a group of four we spent most of our time in the upstairs bit. The property was very well equipped and we had a very comfortable stay. The peace and tranquility was amazing although, on the flip side, everywhere is at least half an hours drive away.
We had great fun canoeing out to the beach on the lake, fishing, playing badminton, croquet, watching films, darts, trying a sauna and the big boys book of general knowledge quiz! We did some lovely walks in the woods and also trips out to Eksharad, Hagfors (the velo rail visit to the museum was very enjoyable) and went on an Elk Safari.
I would recommend this property to anyone who is looking for a relaxing holiday in peaceful surroundings.
The only downside was the midges, but as long as you took precautions this wasn't a particular problem.
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2020
We are so glad that you had a fantastic family holiday and made use of all the facilities on offer at our property.
It is definately a place to escape and relax and get back to nature!
There are a lot of opportunities to explore by canoe, bike or on foot or just play games or read books in the garden!
We find being away from the main towns one of the highlights of being at our property and why we try and have everything you might need to enjoy yourselves.
It always nice to explore the area by car and the villages and towns north of Uvanå in Dalarna are always worth a visit. Vansbro and Malung and Mora and Rättvik on the Siljan lake. There is a bear park at Orsa and a water park at Salen.
We have introduced a large mosquito netted gazebo for the garden this year which is perfect for sitting out in the garden to enjoy your evening meal!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Paul B.
18 November 2011
Perfect Swedish holiday
We stayed in the old stuga and our other freinds stayed in the main house. The old stuga is really beautiful (built of massive logs) and was very romantic inside. It is set to the side of a great garden where we had BBQs every night. The house is huge, full of traditional character and nice and clean and well maintained. The dining room is massive. All around were barns, the sauna house and it is all sourrounded by trees, more beautiful houses and masses of open land leading down to the PERFECT lake!!! Best of all the locals wre really freindly which made it all the more special. I would definately go back.
Paul B.
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2020
We are glad that you had such a great holiday and enjoyed your stay in Uvana! It is a very special place, very tranquil and relaxing. so close to the water,ideal for trips out in the canoes and beautiful walks in the surrounding woods.. You are very welcome to return any time! Regards Jackie and Mike.
About the host
Hosted by Jackie and Mike Lucas
Hej! We are Mike and Jackie Lucas. We currently live in Cambridge , UK. Mike is originally from Manchester and I grew up in Lincoln. We have 2 sons- Sam is 24 and Tom is 21!
Why they chose this property
We love the outdoors and visiting new, unspoilt areas. Sweden is very unspoilt! Beautiful fresh air and wonderful scenery and wildlife. We love to be in and on water! which is why we choose our property. It is at the head of Lake Nain with many quiet and wonderful beaches to explore.If you like foraging in the woods, Sweden is great for picking wild blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cloudberries and mushrooms. As well as catching fish in the lake!
What makes this property unique
Its a wonderful area to explore. we are surrounded by many beautiful lakes. The house offers very spacious accommodation and the views from the upstairs lounge and the garden of the lake are what we love most. We have many garden chairs, sun-loungers, tables and cushions so that relaxing in the garden is a joy! We also have a gazebo so that we can enjoy dining out in the glorious light, summer evenings and now have a large, beautiful decking area.