Ulkeröds Gård Sauna

The gravel road crunched under my tires as I drove into Ulkeröds Gård, a farmstead from the 17th century tucked in the northeast corner of Bohuslän. Autumn leaves scattered across the path, and the air carried a faint chill from the nearby lake. I had booked a two-hour session for 495 SEK, eager to try their wood-fired sauna in this quiet Swedish countryside.

The place felt like a working farm turned retreat, with buildings clustered around open fields. I parked near the main house and followed signs to the sauna area, passing a few sheep grazing in the meadow. It was mid-afternoon, and the sun hung low over Lake Lersjön, casting long shadows on the water.

Inside the sauna, the wood stove crackled softly, filling the room with dry warmth. The space could hold up to twenty people, but I had it mostly to myself that day, just a couple of locals joining later. A large panoramic window framed the lake view, letting in light that danced on the wooden benches.

I settled on the upper level, feeling the heat build in waves. Sweat started to bead on my skin after a few minutes. The ritual was simple: heat up, then cool down outside. I lingered for what felt like half an hour before stepping out to the jetty.

The farm offered changing rooms and showers nearby, practical spots to rinse off. Everything felt straightforward, tied to the natural setting.

Out on the wooden jetty, the hot tub waited, steam rising from its surface. It was wood-fired too, big enough for twelve, positioned right by the lake's edge. I eased into the bubbling water, the contrast from the cool air sharpening every sensation. Lake Lersjön stretched out, calm and inviting, with a bathing ladder dipping into its depths.

I alternated between the tub and quick dips in the lake, the cold water a sharp jolt after the heat. The session stretched to 120 minutes, giving plenty of time for rounds of warming and cooling. Birds called from the trees along the shore, and I spotted a path leading into the woods, part of the farm's hiking trails.

As the light faded, I wrapped up, feeling that deep sense of calm the source mentioned. The sauna and tub run year-round, a steady draw in this rural spot near Tanum.

Walking back to my car, I passed the farm shop and restaurant building, where a few guests chatted over coffee. The hotel rooms looked cozy from the outside, scattered in old farm structures like the henhouse or the main house. Bohuslän's rocky landscape framed everything, with its mix of forests and coastal inlets not far off.

My muscles felt loose, my mind clear. It was a solid way to spend an afternoon in this part of Sweden, blending nature with that classic sauna tradition.