The History of Kolarbyn Eco Lodge

The History of Kolarbyn Eco Lodge 🌲🪵🔥💚

Staying in Kolarbyn is more than just a close-to-nature experience – it’s like stepping into a living piece of Swedish history. In the heart of Bergslagen, where forests and iron once shaped the entire region, you can glimpse what life was like for the traditional charcoal burners. At Kolarbyn Eco Lodge, past and present meet in a warm, inviting atmosphere where nature’s simplicity is an essential part of the experience.

As you chop your own wood, fetch water from the forest spring, and tend the crackling fire, you become part of the same circle as the old-time charcoal burners. In Kolarbyn, the presence of the charcoal kiln is always felt: the blackened earth, the spacious clearing, and the stories of its history. Depending on the season, you might see the kiln newly built and ready to ignite, glowing with heat, or cooling after its work is done. This unique craft, which for centuries contributed to Sweden’s iron production, invites you to learn about its role in history. Kolarbyn allows you to relax and find peace in nature while experiencing a genuine part of Swedish cultural heritage.

Kolarbyn Eco Lodge exists today because of its historic connection to the traditional forest industry that was so significant in this part of Sweden – Bergslagen. Around Lake Skärsjön, old charcoal kiln sites are still found, and here, in the main clearing where Kolarbyn’s reception stands, you can see one of the larger remains from a time when forests and iron shaped Sweden’s economy. Here, the enduring tradition, craft, and knowledge of using natural resources are still alive today through our much smaller, yet accurately built annual charcoal kiln that guests can encounter. Depending on the time of year, you’ll find the kiln in different stages – freshly constructed and awaiting ignition or cool and spread after its work is complete. Our hosts are always happy to share more about the kiln and its life cycle.

How did Kolarbyn Eco Lodge become a Hostel?

With its deep roots in iron production, Bergslagen played a pivotal role in Sweden’s industrial history. This region was once the center of Sweden’s iron and forest industries, and the remnants of old charcoal kilns, furnaces, and charcoal pits are reminders of a time when charcoal from kilns like Kolarbyn’s was vital for fueling ironworks. For generations, charcoal was produced by slowly burning wood in an oxygen-poor environment – a demanding craft essential to iron production, which required high temperatures and formed a foundation for Sweden’s economy. Deep in the forest, the charcoal burner would monitor the kiln day and night, living in small huts called “kolarkojor.”

In 1996, the municipality of Skinnskatteberg decided to honor this heritage by constructing twelve charcoal huts near Lake Skärsjön, initially as a project to rediscover the old building techniques and later as an open-air museum to show how the huts looked and were used.

When Kolarbyn was purchased by a private owner in 2004, it opened for overnight stays and became part of the Swedish Tourist Association (STF), quickly gaining a reputation as “Sweden’s most primitive hostel.” But Kolarbyn’s history has always been part of its charm and has been cherished by each owner. Before long, Kolarbyn formed partnerships with the Bergslagen Eco Museum and the Skogsmästarskolan forestry school in Skinnskatteberg to keep the charcoal-making traditions alive. Every year, a new kiln is built, traditionally named after a woman, and the fascinating process attracts both locals and visitors from around the world.

A key figure in preserving this tradition was Bernt-Olof Johanson, known as “Piltorpar’n,” a master charcoal burner who kept the kiln alive with his knowledge and dedication until his passing in 2019. Today, the “charcoal boys” continue to build and light the kiln each summer, with the help of enthusiastic students from the Skogsmästarskolan.

Building, lighting, and tending the kiln is just as important today as it was a hundred years ago. The charcoal boys keep their heritage alive, and guests in Kolarbyn are invited to follow the process. The logs used for the kiln are sourced from the local forest, supporting the ecosystem and sustainable forestry. The kiln itself is steeped in stories, myths, and legends and is central to the soul of Kolarbyn.

The current owner, Malin Bruce, is the third to care for this tradition and runs Kolarbyn with a focus on sustainability, collaborating with local actors and the surrounding nature.

Kolarbyn Eco Lodge lets you experience history firsthand. Here, you can chop your own wood, fetch water from the forest spring, and cook over an open fire, just as the charcoal burners once did.

Many guests return year after year, and we see this as a sign that Kolarbyn is truly appreciated. Together, we care for this unique place with centuries of history – a place we borrow today and preserve for tomorrow.