A Metal Pilgrimage to Lake Bodom, Espoo

Last year at Finland, Naturally we put together a list called A Metalhead’s Travel Guide to Finland, featuring Finnish travel destinations that are connected, in one way or another, to metal music. The list includes many otherwise well-known destinations, some of which have served as filming locations for music videos. But when you think about […]

In Norther’s Footsteps in Helsinki: The Rocky Shores of Lauttasaari

On a summer day in Helsinki we had a few hours to spare for a visit somewhere, and this time Lauttasaari Island was our chosen destination. We found beautiful smooth-rock shores, ja nice beach and clear seawater! The area has a public swimming beach and protected coastal meadows. We were out and about, inspired by […]

The Mysterious Stone Cairn of Koivumäki, Salo

In the village of Muurla in Salo, there’s a short path leading up a wooded hill, at the top of which a stone ancient burial cairn spreads out in a ring shape in a beautiful spot. The grave doesn’t offer views into the distance, but together with the surrounding trees, the path, and the undergrowth, […]

In the Middle of a Bog with a Toddler: The Kiljamonkierros Trail in Torronsuo National Park

At the end of the Midsummer weekend, we took a little trip to Torronsuo National Park. Torronsuo is one of the most popular national parks in Southern Finland, perhaps because its raw, wilderness-like character brings to mind the landscapes of Lapland for many visitors. Our one-and-a-half-year-old toddler got to set the pace part of the […]

Hanko’s #1 nature spot: the Tulliniemi nature trail to the southernmost tip of mainland Finland

If you only have one long afternoon in Hanko, I would personally recommend two things above everything else: a stroll along the grand wooden villas of Appelgrenintie road (along which you’ll also find one of Hanko’s most famous beaches, Bellevue), and the Tulliniemi (Uddskatan) nature trail, which winds through beautiful shoreline nature all the way […]

From Lake Matildanjärvi to Teerisaari: Teijo’s Most Beautiful Hike

When someone comes to visit me in Salo from far away, I always know where I’ll take them. We head for Teijo National Park, to its very best spots: Lake Matildanjärvi and Teerisaari. Over the years I’ve gotten to lead wonderful guests down these paths — from Lapland, from Ukraine, and most recently from Alta […]

Värikallio Loop: A Rock Painting Hike in Hossa National Park

The sky was grey and the air rich with oxygen when my husband, our friend, and I set out on a weekday in July to walk the Värikallio Loop trail in Hossa National Park, in Suomussalmi, Kainuu. The forecast promised heavy rain all day, but we’d decided in advance not to let it ruin the […]

The last push of the week: Pirunkurun ponnistus trail – Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

Pirunkurun ponnistus When I arrive in Ă„käslompolo, a beautiful summer day that started sunny, but windy, turns rainy. The rain continues when I park my car in the carpark of Kesänkijärvi. So, I decide to eat my lunch in the car, while staring at the raindrops running down the windscreen.  While enjoying a tasty baguette, […]

Hepoköngäs, Puolanka: One of Finland’s Greatest Waterfalls

In commercial cooperation with Visit Puolanka, Municipality of Puolanka, Paljakka, UVM project, co-funded by the European Union Hepoköngäs in Puolanka, Kainuu is one of Finland’s largest waterfalls — and one of the few that is accessible to almost everyone, thanks to an accessible trail leading all the way to the falls. You can experience the […]

Pyssykulju Loop in Puolanka: A Family-Friendly Hike Through Classic Kainuu Scenery

In commercial cooperation with Visit Puolanka, Municipality of Puolanka, Paljakka, UVM project, co-funded by the European Union The Pyssykulju loop (4 km) is an easy outing even with younger children. The trail starts and ends at a lean-to shelter on the shore of a small lake, and the scenery shifts constantly along the way. Adults […]