Nestled in the heart of Norway’s Finnskogen forest, near the Swedish border and less than two hours from Oslo, a unique lodging experience awaits visitors seeking immersion in nature. PAN’s treetop cabins, elevated eight meters on metal frames, offer a tranquil retreat amid towering pines and expansive wilderness. Designed with minimalist Scandinavian aesthetics, these three prism-shaped cabins blend modern comfort with the surrounding forest environment, providing guests with sweeping views of the canopy and nearby lake.
Each cabin is compact yet fully equipped, featuring a pine-clad interior that includes a small kitchen, living area, bathroom with a spacious shower, and an upper platform bed positioned for panoramic triangular views. The design reflects Norway’s friluftsliv philosophy, emphasizing well-being through outdoor living. Visitors can spend time observing wildlife, reading, or simply enjoying the changing weather from the floor-to-ceiling windows, which open up to the quiet of the forest.
Guests can tailor their meals to suit their preferences, with cabins stocked with essentials and options for breakfast hampers or locally sourced catering. One menu highlight includes elk stew prepared with juniper berries. The communal atmosphere is enhanced by outdoor dining spaces on the forest floor, including a candle-lit table suitable for al fresco dinners. Seasonal restrictions limit barbecuing during the summer to prevent wildfires, but year-round visitors can relax on fur-lined seats under vast night skies.
In addition to the cabins, the area offers a variety of outdoor activities. Walking and cycling trails wind through the centuries-old forest, where Finnish folklore intertwines with the landscape. The region remains inhabited by wildlife such as wolves, bears, lynx, moose, foxes, and arctic hares, though many animals avoid human contact. A highlight for visitors is the outdoor wood-fired hot tub, open on three sides to the forest and sky, providing a serene setting to watch sunsets while soaking in warm water.
Further enriching the experience, guided canoe trips on the nearby Fløgåa River allow visitors to encounter beaver habitats and other natural features up close. Wildlife sightings along the river include evidence of beaver activity and occasional glimpses of the animals themselves.
For travelers departing the region by car, a notable stop includes the service station at Espa, renowned for its bakery Bolleland, famed for chocolate and caramel buns. Nearby, the Ole Jørgen Bjørnstad Smaragdgruvene emerald mines offer visitors the unique opportunity to search for and keep genuine emeralds along the lakeshore.
Overall, PAN’s treetop cabins provide a harmonious blend of comfort, nature, and cultural history, making Finnskogen a compelling destination for those seeking a peaceful yet engaging outdoor escape.