Does it make you nervous if someone’s already at the picnic spot, or if someone unexpectedly arrives just when you were about to peacefully sit by yourself? Does it bother you if someone is walking on the hiking trail behind or in front of you? Does sweat form on your forehead when people approach and you have to decide whether to greet them with a smile or to stop and exchange pleasantries? Good news for introverts and others who don’t enjoy social interaction: November in Finland is exactly what we need!

We put up a story poll on Retkipaikka’s Instagram about why November is the best time for hiking and how to prepare for November hikes – the latter part for the information of those who are still considering or starting to extend their hiking season to such an extreme period as the Finnish November is.

We received numerous responses, brimming with excellent observations and perspectives. A big thank you to everyone who responded! If one can summarize the responses, it would be this: November is the golden time for introverts in Finnish hiking destinations. Below are the main points about hiking in November, most of which were contributed by our Instagram followers!

Hiking in Finland in November is wonderful because…

Above all: You can be at peace

A common and excellent observation repeated in many responses, which undoubtedly reinforces the stereotype that we Northerners are quite introverted: November is the best time for hiking because others are at home! Or at least, they are not out hiking. This means that popular and, during summer, even crowded spots can be enjoyed all to oneself. The grayer the weather, the better the chances of being alone on your hike or with your own group, peacefully listening to nature and immersing yourself in your thoughts or in deep conversations with yourself or your hiking companions.

The peace of November is not limited to the absence of people. Another thing noticeably missing is insects! So, if you’ve heard intimidating stories about Finnish mosquitoes, you can put your worries aside when you venture out in November.

Wandering is Easier

Early winter has already taken a nip in November, causing various denser vegetation, like in forest floors, to collapse. This makes it easier to walk!

You Can See Further

With the trees having shed their leaves, the landscape opens up, and it’s easier to distinguish the contours of the terrain from afar. A pond or a swamp behind the trees becomes visible from a greater distance than in summer. It can be nice to hike intuitively towards where your heart desires and your nose points, rather than following a predetermined path. This can add a sense of adventure to the experience.

Hiking Ideas for November

We also received many hiking tips among the responses on how to enjoy November:

Familiar Places in a New Light – Or Rather, in darkness

Do you live in Finland and know some nature trails in their summer guise? Or did you climb to the finest viewpoint in Suomenlinna with half of Finland at the same time last summer? Experience them again now and see what atmosphere prevails. Enjoy the peace, and chances are you’ll be there alone, unless you brought a friend along!

Evening Walk in Moonlight

Especially if there’s no snow yet and the ground is dark, moonlight can be a really thrilling sight. And bright moonlight isn’t bad either after the snow arrives. You can safely forget the scary stories about Finland’s large predators. Finns roam the forests all the time, but very few ever encounter a wolf or bear in their lifetime, as these animals avoid humans. Although predator animals do inhabit Finland, it’s safe to walk in our nature. So enjoy the darkness, it’s quite exotic in today’s world!

Local Nature Mapping Project

If you live in Finland or are staying here for a longer period, take advantage of the daylight by exploring the local nature, so you don’t waste time on long commutes. Are you familiar with the nature just a walking distance from your home? Pull out a topographic map and start identifying places you haven’t visited yet.

Stargazing

When the moon is new and the sky is clear – yes, such moments do occur in Finnish November, believe it or not! – it’s worth dressing warmly, topping off your outfit with a reflective vest, and heading out to watch the stars. You can easily learn to identify constellations using smartphone apps.

Campfire Moment Under the Starry Sky

What a great idea! It doesn’t matter if the sky is clear or not, a campfire moment in the deep darkness of November is always a good idea. If being alone in these conditions feels too gloomy, perhaps invite an old friend you haven’t caught up with in a while? Remember, making a fire is not an everyman’s right in Finland, so choose a location with an official and thus permissible fire pit, shelter, or hut.

Practice Photography

November is an excellent time to sharpen your nature and hiking photography skills, whether you’re a complete beginner or a more experienced photographer. Decide what you want to learn to photograph, and start practicing. How about learning to shoot moving water with a long exposure by a stormy Baltic Sea or a flowing forest stream in Nuuksio? Or capturing steaming camp meals or a sparkling fire?

Enjoying the Fresh Air

In all its simplicity! Finland has the cleanest air in the world, and it’s worth enjoying. In November, there are no mosquitoes buzzing in your ear, no scorching heat on your back, no blazing sun on your face. The fresh, moistly cold air gently caresses your cheeks, and it’s nice to dress in warm and soft winter clothes. Let’s enjoy it properly.

Hiking by Lantern Light

This came from an individual IG commenter and it’s really a great idea! How much more fun, exciting, and photogenic your night hike can be when you grab a lantern to explore, for example, a familiar nature trail or route?

A Good Mood Hike

One commenter stated that all the grayness of November is forgotten when you go out into nature. That’s absolutely true! In Finnish nature, lichens and mosses have a lot of colors at this time of year, especially if the snow is not yet on the ground (with snow, it can be quite black and white to be honest, but that too can feel quite intriguing in its own way). In any case, nature is beautiful. Let’s take a good mood with us and go out to enjoy it.

Hiking in Finland in November – How to prepare

November in Finland has its own characteristics to prepare for. With good preparation, you ensure that the hike leaves you with a good mood and pleasant memories. Here are tips from both our editorial team and our Instagram tipsters:

• Weather-appropriate clothing. In Swedish, it would be said ‘Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder’, and that’s absolutely true: There’s no bad weather, only bad clothes. Of course, attitude also matters, but with purpose- and weather-appropriate clothing, it’s easier to maintain a positive mindset.
• Separate break-time clothing packed in your backpack ensures you don’t get cold while sitting down during a walk, such as during a snack break.
• Extra clothing in the backpack, so you can cope with varying weather. The weather in November in Finland can’t always be predicted in advance, even by looking at the hourly forecast. There might be a lot of snow or none at all. Having a rain jacket as a standard item is not a bad idea at all. Break-time clothing like a lightweight down jacket and a warm hiking skirt ensure you don’t get cold.
• A seat pad. You should definitely slip a seat pad into your backpack, so your bottom doesn’t freeze or get wet if the break spot’s bench is cold and wet – which it very likely is in November. Various types of foldable, foam seat pads are sold in many markets and hiking stores.
• Waterproof shoes. Good rubber boots or other waterproof shoes are a great choice for November. This way, you don’t have to avoid muddy and wet spots via the pathless forest, but can enjoy them just like when you were a child.
• A warm hat. Heat escapes through the head. Put on a sufficiently warm hat!
• High-quality shell clothing. So you don’t get wet and don’t also swim in sweat, when clothes breathe and keep water out at the same time. A bonus for a bright color, so you are easier to notice if you happen to move in areas where hunting is also practiced.
• Hot drinks in a thermos. An excellent classic tip! Coffee, tea, or hot cocoa in a thermos travels with you and you can stop to drink it anywhere, whether it’s to Koli’s or Nuuksio’s highest and finest viewpoint, or to the most comfortable stump in your local forest. When you don’t need a fire, you’re free to take breaks exactly where you want – within the bounds of everyman’s rights, of course. Also, consider the possibility of a food thermos, so you can enjoy a whole meal without fire!
• An effective headlamp. Darkness creeps in surprisingly early in November, and every evening a little earlier. When it arrives, you don’t want to be in the middle of nature without proper light. A headlamp travels easily on the head or in the pocket and can be turned on when needed. Before leaving, it’s good to check that the lamp has power.

Thanks to everyone who shared their tips via Instagram and a November full of hiking moments to everyone!

P.s. Check out also Finland, naturally’s instagram!

Photos & article compilation: Jonna Saari