Finns have a strong connection to nature, and winter swimming – known in Finnish as avanto or avantouinti – is a prime example of it. This pastime combines the wintry outdoors, fresh air, and Finland’s deep-rooted sauna culture, which for many Finns is an essential part of everyday life. In principle, winter swimming can suit […]
One of Finland’s most beautiful and easiest snowshoeing trails runs through the national landscapes of Koli, and despite its short distance, it is impressive. The Koli Peaks Snowshoe Trail is an official route maintained by Metsähallitus, intended solely for travel by snowshoes. Its length is 1.9 kilometers, although you can also deviate on foot onto […]
Silence. It’s a concept that has become increasingly rare in our daily lives. In a noisy world, I often find myself longing for places where the clamor of human activity is blissfully absent, replaced by the tranquil soundscape of nature, sometimes even absolute silence. Fortunately, in Finland, there are still many places where you can […]
Since I was a child, I have loved wandering in the forests of my homeland, Finland. The sounds, scents, and tranquility of nature draw me back again and again. Occasionally, the forest offers more than peace and beauty. For the lucky and observant wanderer, Finnish forests can reveal true treasures: clear streams, mysterious caves, or, […]
In front of me stretches a forest of pillar-like pines. These trees, some of the oldest among them bearing deep grooves and various holes in their thick bark, stand strong and steadfast like ancient guardians. In a Finnish pine forest, there’s a feeling of being at home, with nothing to fear. There’s lots of light, […]
The darkest days of the year are upon us in Finland, and weekday evenings after work are pitch black. It’s easy to be tempted to curl up on the couch instead of going out. While darkness affects at least some of us negatively in the form of seasonal depression, nature and being outdoors have good […]
I walk into the forest wearing a twenty-year-old jacket, old torn sweatpants, and rubber boots. I have no measuring devices, snacks, time limit, or any specific plan other than to spend a moment in the nearby woods. I’m there for as long as I happen to be this time, basically doing nothing. And you know […]
I leap over a ditch from the roadside into the forest. The gentle energy of the trees’ embrace wraps around me in an instant. Although the sound of the road still reaches my ears, an invisible wall—a protective force field—has appeared between me and the mundane human world. On the forest side, with each step, […]
Article by: Karoliina Kaski We embarked on a three-night autumn hike to Patvinsuo National Park in September. This was my first visit to this park. Patvinsuo offered exactly what I had hoped for and what online sources had promised: sandy beaches, towering pine forests, expansive mires, and unbroken natural tranquility. Welcome to a photo journey […]
Powder snow is wonderfully soft and light, eagerly anticipated until the snowpack becomes as deep and fluffy as ever. It can be described in words and pictures, but you truly understand its fun and charm only by experiencing it firsthand. On the morning of February 1, just as the sun was preparing to spread its […]
