Far off the coast of Finland, Jurmo rises from the sea – see how spring arrives on this remote island

Dusk descended on the Archipelago Sea as the Utö ferry plowed through the blue-gray sea as valiantly as one might expect from a vessel originating from Iceland. The ferry was sparsely populated, and it felt good to settle by the window and attune to the rhythm of the Baltic Sea. Every call of a seagull, […]

Canoeing in the Land of a Thousand Lakes: Liesjärvi National Park in Southern Finland

Article by Jussi Judin and Antti Huttunen Liesjärvi National Park is located less than a two-hour drive from Helsinki. Despite its easy accessibility and the exquisite nature, it remains quite serene. A canoe feels right at home on Liesjärvi lake and fits more than well with the ambiance of the park. This place is about […]

Witness the Transformation: A 12-Month Journey on the Peaks of Koli

Article by Maarit Jääskeläinen I have now witnessed the full cycle of a year in Koli national park and its summits. I arrived in late winter when the days had already started to lengthen and the sun brought warmth. I speculated on when Lake Pielinen would shed its icy cover. I watched as the snow […]

Hollow Stone and Finland’s Oldest Forests – Don’t Miss This Place in Inari

At Lake Myössäjärvi in Inari, about 25 kilometers north of Ivalo, awaits visitors the Bear’s Den Stone (Karhunpesäkivi) – one of the most unusual natural attractions in Finland. Parking is conveniently available at the café and souvenir shop, and what follows is a long ascent up the stairs. This climb is considerably more comfortable in […]

In the vicinity of Hämeenlinna city lies a beautiful natural destination – this is the Lake Aulanko loop trail

The splendid Aulanko Nature Reserve boasts not only a variety of unique curiosities but also a complete 7-kilometer loop trail encircling Lake Aulanko. Predominantly serene in nature, this loop deviates at two swimming beaches and a fire pit, ventures through a forest named after Finland’s national composer Jean Sibelius, and meanders past stunning scenic cliffs. […]

Winter Trip to Tetrijärvi Lean-to in Ilomantsi, North Karelia

We embarked on a soothing mini-journey to the Tetrijärvi lean-to and welcomed the New Year enveloped in the gentle silence of Karelian forests. This rest stop, maintained by Metsähallitus (the Finnish Forest Administration), is conveniently situated quite near the Petkeljärvi National Park and its hiking center, boasting excellent facilities. Tetrijärvi lean-to on a map Parking […]

Is this the most beautiful ski track in Savo? Lintharju esker, Suonenjoki

If one Finnish winter condition had to be elevated above the rest, it would be the clear, bright sunshine that makes the crystallized frost snow sparkle on the slopes. No matter how cold, such weather simply makes it impossible to stay indoors. One of Finland’s most spectacular skiing destinations, and possibly the country’s most beautiful […]

Spring Comes to Southern Finland: A February Day in Liesjärvi National Park

The midday sun in February did its best, dazzling against a cloudless blue sky. Yet, stepping outside, a brisk wind hit our faces, making the air, already nipped with frost, feel particularly biting. The urge for a hike struck us, and we decided that this time it would be Liesjärvi National Park’s turn. Its majestic […]

A Breathtaking Trail in Lapland Where Snowshoes Aren’t Needed – The Aurora Trail in Saariselkä

The Aurora Trail is a just over two-kilometer loop through the nature of Lapland. The trail starts from the new, impressive gateway of Urho Kekkonen National Park in the village of Saariselkä, which is also accessible by bus from the directions of Rovaniemi and Ivalo. The wide path runs along the edge of a fell […]

Midwinter in Central Finland: A Trip to Leivonmäki National Park

Leivonmäki National Park is located in the heart of Central Finland, about 50 kilometers from the city of Jyväskylä.