10 ideas for an active weekend with friends

1. Forest yoga and relaxation outside Gothenburg 

Do you also believe that a blend of the good things in life is the best recipe for feeling well? We do. That’s why we recommend everyone to book a weekend with forest yoga at The Tannery Club, followed by hot tub, relaxation, dinner and accommodation at Öijared Resort. Naturally a generous breakfast buffet the day after is included. 

You’ll find The Tannery Club in Floda, 30 minutes from Gothenburg. And Öijared Resort is another fifteen minutes from there. On the way back you can take the opportunity to pop into the Nääs Fabriker shopping centre or have an afternoon fika at Kaffestugan in Nääs Castle.

2. Night paddling and regal accommodation 

Just before the sun dips over the Lake Vänern archipelago you’ll gather around the campfire at Naven Outdoor Experience on Kållandsö, near Lidköping. After a run through of the evening’s adventure it’s time to put on your headtorch and follow your guide out in kayaks among archipelago islands and old shipwrecks. A really lovely experience that’s exciting as well! 

But the adventure isn’t over yet. A short drive away lies the stately baroque Läckö Castle and naturum Vänerskärgården – Victoriahuset hotel and visitor centre, where you’ll sleep well with a view of the lake and castle. 

After breakfast and checkout we recommend a trip to Spiken fishing village on the northen tip of Kållandsö. It’s a really pretty harbour, where you’ll find the popular restaurant Sjöboden. 

3. Trail running and sauna on the jetty in the Kingdom of the Rocks 

Anyone who has ever run or walked on Ramsvikslandet in Bohuslän gets why it’s called the Kingdom of the Rocks. The area consists of shimmering pink granite boulders as far as the eye can see. Or almost that far, because where the rocks end, the sea begins. It’s a spectacularly beautiful area for trail running or walking, with circuits of 14 km or less. In other words there’s a distance for everyone.

After your run, check in to Ramsviks Stugby, and take your swimming gear down to the sauna on the jetty, which will be warmed up ready for you. After a session in the hot sauna we’re sure a dip in the sea will tempt you, despite the autumn chill in the air. Decide then if you want to make food together in your cabin or eat dinner in the restaurant. 

4. Mucky cycling and cleansing spa ritual

Okay, imagine the following scenario. You and your friends meet up on Billingen in Skövde one Saturday. Hire an MTB each in the Billingecenter and get a short run through of how the gears and brakes work as well as which cycle trails are best for you. Then let the adventure begin! 

Then, dirty, sweaty and a bit full of your amazing cycle prowess, you’ll trot along to Hotell Billingehus, where you can share a bottle of fizz in your room and laugh at all the mad cycling pics, before swapping muddy training clothes for dressing gowns. 
After that a few hours relaxation in the hotel’s Earth Spa awaits. Hot springs, cleansing rituals, and four different saunas. Next up is a 3 course dinner with a glass of something delicious. Before you set off for home on Sunday there’s of course a long breakfast to enjoy, where the topic of conversation will definitely be finding a new date for the next mates weekend. How does that sound? 

5.  Obstacle course, yoga & spa in Grebbestad

Ready for a weekend combining movement, nature and total relaxation? At TanumStrand an energy obstacle course awaits, where you’ll get to test your strength, balance and agility together. Take your friends and challenge each other in a playful activity which is a whole body workout. The track is designed so that everyone can join in – whatever your previous experience – and the focus is on fun, companionship and movement. 

For those who'd rather swing a club or paddle a kayak, Skärgårdsidyllen offers a golf and outdoor weekend, with a round on the Fjällbacka or Mjölkeröd course and the chance to kayak through the Koster archipelago.

After pulse raising challenges it’s time to wind down with yoga on the rocks, where the sea stretches out before you and the noise of the waves sets the pace. A moment to breathe, stretch and enjoy the peace of Bohuslän’s magical archipelago. 
When your body feels thoroughly grounded and connected, Tanumstrands spa awaits, where there are warm pools, a sea sauna, light room and foot spa – and with a 16 year old age limit in the spa area you can totally chill out. 

The evening ends with a well made dinner and a hearty breakfast buffet the morning after. Before you leave, a walk along the jetties in charming Grebbestad is perfect – a last deep breath of sea air before you head back to everyday life.

6. Clay pigeon shooting, walking and wood fired sauna

Have you ever been to Kynnefjäll? It’s a lake rich forested area in northern Bohuslän, almost on the border of Dalsland. There are some fantastic walking trails here that surprisingly few people know about, which means you will more or less have the surroundings to yourselves. 

With rosy cheeks you’ll then travel to Ulkeröds Gård, just under thirty minutes away, where you’ll swap walking boots for spa slippers and enjoy a steaming hot tub, not to mention the panoramic view of Lake Lersjön from the wood fired sauna. Maybe you’ll be tempted by a tasting menu in the restaurant after that? 

Energised after breakfast you’ll be ready for the weekend’s big adventure, namely clay pigeon shooting. Maybe some of you may have already tried it, but you’ll all start with a practice shoot and finish with an easy team competition. We can definitely promise you a weekend that will really give you something to boast about at the office Monday meeting.

7. All inclusive walking weekend on Kinnekulle

Sometimes you just want the whole experience ready made, with no fuss. You’ll get that if you book a spa and walking package at Lundsbrunn Resort north of Skara. Collect a packed lunch and head off to nearby Kinnekulle, a fantastic nature area, where forest and lakeside walking alternate with historic sights. The old quarry, Hellekis Säteri and Råbäck Castle are just some of the local landmarks. 

Back at the hotel your only task is to sink into the jacuzzi or relaxation pool in the spa area. As far back as the 18th century people have journeyed to Lundsbrunn to help their recovery, so they really know everything about the importance of unwinding here. In the evening a meal full of lovely autumnal flavours will be served.  

8. Water aerobics and sauna on Marstrand

Marstrand is a wonderful place, especially off season, when all the crowds have disappeared. Then you really get to appreciate the peace of the archipelago. And if you want to do a fun activity we can recommend water aerobics at Marstrands Havshotell. Exercising in the water is extra kind to your body, so it’s perfect for anyone wanting a gentler but still challenging way of training. 

If you can’t get enough of the water, the hotel’s floating sauna is moored in the harbour, where you can alternate between enjoying the warmth and having a refreshing dip in the sea. A nice dinner and drinks then awaits anyone who wants it.

After the breakfast buffet it’s time to explore the coast on foot, either by taking the ferry over to Marstrandsön and having a walk around Carlstens Fortress, or by hiking around the scenic island of Koön.

9. Tractor tyres, battle ropes and a luxury sauna evening  

Have you ever seen those brutal training programmes on tv? You know, where they push over gigantic tractor tyres, climb monkey bars and heave thick battle ropes. Maybe you’ve always wondered if you were capable of doing that kind of challenge. Well you don’t have to wonder anymore. 

Swedish celebrity trainer Sabina Dufberg has namely designed a unique outdoor gym at Två Skyttlar hotel in Kinna, an hour from Gothenburg, where you can do functional strength training alongside balance and conditioning, in a fun way. You and your friends will get the chance to try challenging exercises and see if you also have the strength to push over a tractor tyre.  

Best of all is that after the session you can proudly and contentedly walk over to Sjölyckan, an oasis with hot tubs, sauna and relaxation areas, before equally happily strolling back to the hotel’s restaurant. 

And guys, they absolutely love breakfast at Två Skyttlar so that buffet isn’t going to disappoint anyone either. 

10. Active weekends for EVERYONE in Ulricehamn

Last but not least we want to give you a tip about an activity that suits everyone, and we really do mean everyone. At the Lassalyckan outdoor sport arena in Ulricehamn there’s a 3.2 kilometre long asphalted multi sports track  for everyone wanting to get active outside, whether you use a wheelchair, permobil or have a pushchair with you. The area is also full of great trails for running or cycling. 

Carry on down to Lake Åsunden in the centre of Ulricehamn and head to Ulricehamn's kallbadhus (cold bath house) where you can have a cold dip and eat well in the restaurant. Your accommodation for the night is just a stone’s throw from the kallbadhus, at charming Hotell Bogesund.