Why Ecotourism?
As a nature tourism company, Vildmark i Värmland operates in and close to nature. Our timber rafting trips, canoe tours, beaver safaris and other activities depend on healthy rivers and lakes with suitable water levels.
Our facilities are located right by the Klarälven River, which means they are directly affected by both high and low water levels.
We offer our guests a chance to experience nature up close – whether on the water or in the forest.
Nature tourism in all weather
Vildmark i Värmland is used to changing weather conditions. However, climate change has brought new and growing challenges.
- 1995 A major spring flood hit the Klarälven River. Klarälvens Camping and our facilities in Branäs and Gunnerud were completely flooded.
- 2018 The year began with high spring flooding, followed by a severe summer drought. Fire bans were in place for most of the summer, and timber rafting on the southern part of our route became impossible.
- 2022 Water levels were once again extremely low. For three weeks, the river was too shallow for timber rafting on our southern route.
- 2023 In contrast, water levels were unusually high. All log rafting tours had to be cancelled for more than a week because the conditions were considered too risky.
- 2024 Water levels in the Klarälven River were again very high, but log rafting trips could still operate throughout the summer.
- High and low water levels affect our southern rafting route the most – the section between Björkebo and Gunnerud. Because of this, we have decided that from summer 2025 we will no longer offer timber rafting trips on this part of the river.
Ecotourism as a natural choice
At Vildmark i Värmland, we clearly experience the effects of climate change. We are aware of how human actions contribute to this development. For us, the natural response is to work as responsibly as possible when it comes to the environment and climate. Sustainability should be part of everything we do.
In 2002, a quality label for Swedish nature tourism was introduced called Nature’s Best. Vildmark i Värmland was one of the companies certified in the very first year. Since then, we have continued to develop and improve our sustainability work through the certification.
We do this for a very simple reason: our business depends on a healthy and functioning climate – today and in the future.
Travel sustainably
It is possible to travel with only a small impact on the environment and climate. By making sustainable choices for your holiday, you also support tour operators and small businesses doing important work.
Here are a few simple ways to travel more sustainably:
- Choose low-impact transport such as trains or bicycles instead of flying or driving whenever possible.
- Choose activities with a lower climate impact and avoid options that add unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions.
- Think about your equipment and borrow or rent gear instead of buying new whenever you can.
- Respect nature – the basic rule is simple: do not disturb and do not destroy.
Want to learn more about sustainable nature tourism?
Our ambitions are high, but so are the challenges we face. We want to share the work we do as a certified ecotourism company in Sweden – the work we are proud of, as well as the areas where we still have more to do.
Here you can learn more about both, along with additional information about our approach to ecotourism.
Share
