Outdoors Finland

Snowshoeing in Puijo forest in winter. Photo: Upe Nykänen

Snowshoeing in the city at Kuopio? The answer is Puijo!

Destinations, Experiences, Finnish forest, Nature, Winter

Sometimes you get lucky and can find just the thing you are looking for very close to you. We chose Kuopio as our destination for a winter weekend mostly because it offers plenty of great winter activities within a very short distance from the…

Come to the dark side, we have lightkayaks

Experiences, Nationalparks, Winter

Repovesi is one of Finland's most popular national parks in the summer time, but when winter arrives, there is hardly anybody. November is perhaps the least popular month to go in the nature. That is why I believe it is the best time to see…

Raven’s Tour (Korpinkierros) Wilderness Trail in Nuuksio National Park, Espoo

Nationalparks, Nature

➡️ 8 km ? 2-3 h ⚫⚫⚪ Moderate ? Campfire sites and cooking shelter The route is marked with yellow markings on the trees, and the trail has signposts. Korpinkierros, The "Raven's Tour", is a circular wilderness trail in the Nuuksio…

Attract on a Walk or Bike Tour Along Vantaanjoki

Helsinki, Nature

Helsinki is full of small gems for short getaways on foot or by bike. One of them is a walk or a bicycle route along Vantaanjoki river that takes you from the oldest of Helsinki to the newest one. Along the way there is plenty; fast rapid and…

Nuuksio National Park Is a Spectacular Wilderness Area Right next to Helsinki

Nationalparks

Nuuksio lake highland is very close to Helsinki, but its atmosphere is really far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Nuuksio is in many ways one of Finland's most important nature sites. It is easy to get there by bus and there are plenty…

Finland receives a unique gift for its 100th birthday: a beautiful nature reserve by the sea

Destinations

Finland's mysterious and pure nature is an enchanting experience. Fresh air, thousands of blue lakes and endless forests attract both foreigners and Finns themselves. This year an independent Finland turns 100 years old. What to give for…

The Salpa Line trail

Destinations

The Salpa Line is the largest construction project in Finland’s history. It was created as a deterrent, so that the enemy wouldn’t dare attack. The Finns suspected that the Soviet Union, not satisfied with the territorial gains they had…

Skiing in the Arctic Night

Activities, Nationalparks, Phenomenons, Seasons, Winter

In midwinter there is light for only a couple of hours a day in Lapland. We decided to go for a two day skiing trip in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, to get a proper feel of the darkness during the shortest days of the year in December. The…

Skishoeing – fun and traditional way to enjoy winter magic

Activities, Experiences, Nationalparks, Seasons, Winter

Short skis with skins are ancient, dating back 10 000 years. They represent skis as they were originally! Today they have been “invented” again to suit modern day winter adventurer. I tested skishoeing in lovely Pyhätunturi in the heart…

Pirttisaari – a wonderful hiding place in Porvoo’s archipelago

Destinations, Seasons, Summer

Pirttisaari (Cabin Island), which belongs to the western part of Porvoo’s archipelago is known by few, but even fewer have probably noticed that it’s a sweet little spot for an excursion into nature. Given that it is an island we’re talking…

Cycling in Porvoo’s National Urban Park

Activities, Destinations, Seasons, Summer

Porvoo is one of Finland’s best loved national landscapes, with its red wooden riverside storehouses and pastel-coloured buildings belonging to the old town, its river valley and its National Urban Park. National Urban Parks are an assembly…

Torvisen maja – sanctuary for tired skiers in Luosto since 1957

Destinations, Nationalparks, Seasons, Winter

On the north side of Luosto fell there is the cutest little coffee house, Torvisen maja. I highly recommend visiting the cafe, not only for its delicious freshly baked doughnuts and pies but also for the incredible atmosphere, oozing authenticity…

Julma Ölkky’s (Cruel Canyon) rugged ring route, Ölökyn Ähkäsy

Destinations, Lakes, Must see

I scanned the Ölokyn Ähkäsy (this roughly translates as the Canyon Groan in local dialect) ring route on the map. It didn’t look too bad, only around 10 kilometres long. However, when I asked about the route at Hossa’s visitor centre…

Sikosaari’s birdwatching tower and nature trail in Porvoo

Destinations, Finnish forest, Seasons, Summer

Sikosaari (Pig Island) is situated in Porvoo river’s estuary, just over two kilometres from the centre of Porvoo. In the past, it has served urban dwellers as forestry land and pasture. The island is a part of Porvoo’s National Urban Park,…

Ylläs is heaven for snowshoeing

Destinations, Finnish forest, Nationalparks, Seasons, Winter

Hiking up fells with snowshoes is fun and good workout. Ylläs has around 50 km of marked snowshoeing routes to keep everybody happy and fit. You don’t need prior experience, just good spirit and a camera to capture the breathtaking nature…

The peaceful coast of Emäsalo: Varlaxudden, Porvoo

Destinations, Seasons

Do you long to cast your gaze out to the open sea? Then you should head to Varlaxudden, which is part of Porvoo’s archipelago and located just off the southern tip of Emäsalo. Emäsalo is a large island of around 34 square kilometres, slightly…

Ice climbing in ski resort Ruka

Activities, Destinations, Seasons, Winter

The winter is coming, sooner or later. Do you already have winter holiday plans? If not, why not try something new, some new outdoor activity. Push yourself to the limit and overcome your fears if you have some. I fought my fears last February…

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