Pan Treetop Cabins: Sleeping Among the Tree Tops in the Norwegian Wilderness

You climb a spiral staircase through a steel cylinder, cross a footbridge among the pine trees, and then you’re standing in your cabin: eight meters above the forest floor of Finnskogen. Outside, the treetops sway in the wind. Inside, everything remains completely still. No neighbors, no roads, no noise. Just the forest, which here forms the largest contiguous forest area in Europe.

That’s PAN Treetop Cabins: three award-winning treehouses in a forgotten corner of southeastern Norway, about a two-hour drive from Oslo and a quarter of an hour from the Swedish border. Not your average glamping tent, but architecture that deliberately does not try to blend into nature—and precisely because of that, places you right in the middle of it. For those seeking the silence of the boreal forest, with a wolf safari, a canoe trip, or a sauna along the way, this is one of the most unique places to stay in Scandinavia.

Finnskogen: the forest where you can lose yourself

PAN is located in Finnskogen, in the Solør region, about 130 kilometers northeast of Oslo. The name literally means “Finnish Forest”: in the sixteenth century, Finnish settlers moved into this area to clear the forest and farm the land. They brought their own mythology with them—a world full of nature spirits and the inexplicable. Their most important god was named Tapio, the Finnish counterpart to Pan, the Greek god of the forests. Hence the name of the cabins.

Geographically speaking, you’re in the taiga here: the boreal forest that encircles the Northern Hemisphere like a belt and forms the world’s largest terrestrial biome. Nowhere else in Norway will you encounter such a diverse array of wildlife. Moose, deer, and capercaillies, as well as wolves, bears, and lynx, all inhabit this landscape. The chances of seeing them all are slim. But the chances of hearing a wolf howl during an evening safari are surprisingly high.

Award-winning architecture on steel legs

The cabins were designed by Norwegian architect Espen Surnevik, a professor at the Oslo School of Architecture, with structural calculations by engineer Finn-Erik Nilsen—the same name associated with iconic projects such as the Juvet Landscape Hotel and the Norwegian Scenic Routes. The design has received numerous international awards.

Surnevik made a conscious decision not to build with wood, the material you find everywhere in the forest. The cabins stand on slender steel legs and are clad in black, oxidized zinc scales that mimic the scales of a pinecone. This makes them unmistakably man-made—a deliberate contrast to the tactile softness of the forest. The design is based on the “archetypal form” of the North American A-frame cabin, with a nod to the tower houses from the Moomins (Norwegian trolls). Inside, however, everything is warm: floors and walls made of solid pine, textiles woven from local wool, dyed in the colors of the forest.

About the Three Treehouses in Norway

There are three cabins in total, each about 80 to 100 meters apart, ensuring privacy. The interiors are identical: 40 m², eight meters above the ground, with four to six sleeping spots divided among single beds and one double bed. The interior is divided into three areas that also function as separate bedrooms, with full amenities, electricity, and running water. If you’re traveling with a larger group, you can rent all three cabins together to accommodate up to sixteen people.

You enter via the spiral staircase inside the steel cylinder, where daylight streams in through a latticework. The cabins are not attached to the trees—for safety reasons and to preserve nature. Each cabin is supported by a finely woven steel mesh. You can park right next to your cabin.

Food: Organic at Café Søstuen 2280

You can have food delivered to your cabin or grab a seat at the farm café just around the corner. Café Søstuen2280 is an old, shingled house that has been converted into a café, idyllically situated on Lake Gjesåssjøen. The menu features local, organic, and homemade dishes, along with coffee roasted on-site. The same building houses a small farm shop with carefully selected regional products. Some of these can be found in your cabin. The café is open mainly in the summer, as well as on select weekends throughout the year.

Sustainability: As Light on the Land as Possible

At PAN, sustainability isn’t an afterthought—it’s the foundation of everything we do. The cabins are built using a zero-footprint construction method: in principle, everything can be removed without leaving a trace. They are Green Key-certified, work closely with local businesses, and are part of Ærli, a network of Norwegian organizations committed to revitalizing tourism through vibrant, local communities. The Norwegian Natural Diversity Act and the UN Sustainable Development Goals serve as guiding principles in this effort.

The owners ask something in return from their guests: mindful consumption, respect for the environment, and, ideally, a slightly longer stay, so that the ecological footprint per night remains as small as possible. We think that’s a fair deal.

Things to Do at PAN Treetop Cabins: From Wolf Safaris to Ice Fishing

PAN isn’t a place where you’ll get bored, but it’s also not a place that forces anything on you. You set the pace yourself. Here’s a sampling of what’s possible, often with local guides from Outdoor Finnskogen:

• Wolf Safari: Head into the woods with a guide to find a spot where you can listen to wolves howling.
• Canoeing on the Kynna and Flisaelva rivers; Class 1 to 3, suitable for both those seeking peace and quiet and adventurers.
• Hiking: Several trails start right at your cabin, with or without a guide.
• Cycling along 80 kilometers of connected forest trails.
• Gjesåsen Climbing Park is within walking distance. PAN guests receive a 15% discount.
• In the winter: skiing on nearby slopes, snowshoeing, sledding, and (in the summer) horse-drawn carriage rides.
• Fishing in the many lakes, either from a boat or from the shore.
• Ant safari and moose spotting—yes, really.
• A wellness treatment or massage in your cabin, using only organic and natural products.

Practical Information: Pan Treetop Cabins

• Location: Finnskogen, Solør region (near Gjesåsen), southeastern Norway.

• Accommodations: 3 Treehouses, each 40 m² and 8 m above the ground; 4–6 people per Treehouse, for a total of 16.

• Food: organic Café Søstuen2280 (mainly in the summer and on select weekends); meals can also be ordered at the cabin.

• Sustainability: Green Key-certified, zero-footprint construction, member of the Ærli network.

• Activities: hiking, biking (80 km of forest trails), canoeing, ice fishing, wolf safari, skiing, snowshoeing, wellness.
• Accessibility: about a 2-hour drive from Oslo (the nearest international airport); 15–20 minutes from the Swedish border; about 1,400 km from the Netherlands, including the ferry.
• Parking right next to the cabin.
• Best time to visit: spring through fall for hiking, biking, and water activities; winter for snow and tranquility. A car that can handle snow is a must during this time.

Frequently Asked Questions About PAN Treetop Cabins

Where exactly are the PAN Treetop Cabins located?

PAN Treetop Cabins are located in Finnskogen, in the Solør region of southeastern Norway, about 130 kilometers (about a 2-hour drive) northeast of Oslo and 15 to 20 minutes from the Swedish border. Oslo is the nearest international airport.

How many Treehouses are there, and how many people can they accommodate?

There are three identical treehouses, each measuring 40 m² and located eight meters above the ground. Each treehouse can accommodate four to six people. You can rent all three treehouses for a group of up to sixteen people.

When is the best time to visit PAN Treetop Cabins?

The cabins are open year-round. Hikers, cyclists, and canoeists will enjoy them most from late spring through fall. Winter is ideal for snow, skiing, and absolute silence. Be sure to bring a car that can handle ice and snow, as the weather in Finnskogen can change quickly.

How do you get to PAN Treetop Cabins?

By car, it takes about two hours to get there from Oslo; you can park right next to your cabin. From the Netherlands, it’s about a 1,400-kilometer drive, including the ferry to Denmark or Sweden. You can also travel by public transportation—by train and bus—but expect the trip to take well over a day. Having your own car is highly recommended in this area.

What can you do near PAN Treetop Cabins?

From the cabins, you can go hiking, bike along 80 kilometers of forest trails, canoe on the Kynna and Flisaelva rivers, and fish in the surrounding lakes. With local guides, you can go on a wolf safari or an ant safari. In the winter, there are ski slopes, snowshoe hikes, and sleigh rides. There are also opportunities to relax: there’s a climbing park within walking distance (with a 15% discount for guests) and wellness treatments using organic products.

How sustainable are the treehouses?

PAN Treetop Cabins are Green Key-certified and built using a zero-footprint construction method: the cabins are detached from the trees and can, in principle, be removed without leaving a trace. The owners collaborate with local businesses, use organic products, and are members of the Norwegian sustainability network Ærli.

How do you book PAN Treetop Cabins?

Through Nature Travel Lab, you can check availability directly with the owners—no middleman and no commission. Simply fill out the contact form on the accommodation page, and the owner will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

Eight meters above the forest floor, with your coffee and the forest slowly waking up. There are few places that let you disconnect from everything quite like this. We prefer to book it direct with the owners, so that your night in the treetops ends up exactly where it belongs.

Would you dare to spend the night here, eight meters above the ground, or is it precisely that deep, wild forest that wins you over? We’d love to hear from you.