Forest Riding & Craft
Western riding, Nordic craft and slow days by a lake, in the forests below the Bydalen mountains.
- When
- Summer 2027dates soon
- Duration
- 4 days / 3 nights
- Group
- Up to 6
- Price
- From €2,200per person
Reserve your spot
Ask a question
Who this trip is for
You like the idea of horses, but not a trek where you sit on one for six hours and get handed off at the end.
Maybe you've ridden before. Maybe not since you were a kid, or ever. That's fine. The horses are calm, and the teaching starts on the ground.
What you're after is a few days slower than your normal ones. Time outside, good food, something to do with your hands, and nobody hurrying you.
The trip
Four days at the stables, by a lake below the Bydalen mountains. Mornings are with the horses, learning western riding the way our trainers teach it: through feel and connection, not force. Afternoons are out on the forest trails, picking berries and mushrooms as we go.
After that the day is yours. A craft session with me in wood or leather, a swim, the sauna, a boat out on the lake, or nothing at all. Dinner is cooked over the fire, from what's local and what we've foraged.
You sleep in canvas tents on a peninsula by the water, with proper beds, and the horses grazing close by.
In short
Real riding, from day one.Western training in the morning, then out on the trails.
Up to six guests.One group at a time, so everyone gets proper time with the horses.
Something made by your own hands.A wood or leather piece to take home.
The highlights
- Western riding training, built on feel and connection between you and the horse
- Trail rides through the forest, foraging berries and mushrooms on the way
- Nordic craft in wood or leather with George
- Fire-cooked food, local and wild, at every meal
- Sauna, lake swims and a boat to take out
- Short morning breathing sessions, always optional
A day, roughly
The shape of a day, not a timetable. The horses and the weather get a say.
Morning
- Coffee by the fire or at your tent
- Breakfast
- A short breathing session, if you want one
Late morning
- Training with the horses
- Groundwork, then western riding
- Matched to your level
Midday
- Lunch outside
- A proper rest
Afternoon
- Trail ride through the forest
- Foraging along the way
- Then craft, a swim, the sauna or nothing
Evening
- Dinner cooked over the fire
- Light until late
Trip details
- Dates
- Summer 2027
- Duration
- 4 days / 3 nights
- Location
- Bydalen, Jämtland
- Group
- Up to 6 guests
- Level
- Beginner to experienced
- Price
- From €2,200per person
- Deposit
- €500
- Getting there
- Pick-up from Östersund
Reserve your spot
Ask a question
What's included
- Western riding training and trail rides, 3 days
- Horses, tack, helmets and guides
- 3 nights in canvas tents with proper beds and bedding
- All meals, fire-cooked and locally sourced
- Nordic craft workshop and materials
- Sauna, lake, SUP board and fishing gear
- Optional morning breathwork
- Pick-up and drop-off at Östersund airport or station
The experience
- Western riding in the arena
- Forest trail rides
- Foraging for berries and mushrooms
- Wood or leather craft
- Sauna and lake swims
- Dinners round the fire
What's not included
- Flights or trains to Östersund
- Travel insurance
- Personal clothing and toiletries
Good to know
Do I need riding experience?
No. The teaching starts on the ground and goes at your pace. The horses are well trained and used to beginners, and confident riders get plenty to work on too.
What are the horses like?
Calm and gentle, trained in the western style. Each horse is matched to its rider, on ability and on what you'd like from the week.
Where do we sleep?
Two-person canvas tents with proper mattresses and bedding, on a peninsula by the lake. A simple indoor shower and toilet is a short walk away. If you'd rather sleep indoors, ask and we'll sort a room.
Getting there
Fly to Östersund (OSD), direct from Stockholm Arlanda, or take the train from Stockholm, around six hours. We pick you up from the airport or station and bring you back at the end.
What do I need?
Mainly clothes and personal bits. All riding gear is provided. We send a full kit list before you travel.
Deposit, balance and cancellation
A €500 deposit holds your place. The balance is due six weeks before the trip. The deposit isn't refundable, but it can be moved to another G.O.N.E trip within 12 months.
Private groups
Yes. Bring your own group of up to six and take the whole trip. Get in touch and we'll talk dates.
The team
Hosted by George, with our horse partners in Bydalen
George
Host, craft
George spent years living off-grid in northern Sweden, learning from its landscapes, seasons and people. On the summer trips he runs the craft sessions, keeps the fire going and makes sure the days feel easy.
Our horse partners
Riding and training, Bydalen
Renowned trainers who have spent their lives with horses. They choose and train every horse for a calm, steady temperament, and match each one to its rider.