The immediate surroundings of Nuuksio National Park are home to several truly wonderful hiking spots and outdoor recreation areas that are every bit as impressive as the national park itself. One of these is the Luukki outdoor recreation area in Espoo. On the shores of Kaitalampi pond, which lies within the area, you’ll find a […]
A short account of what happens when a landscape is so beautiful that you fear it will vanish, and you simply have to run and look at it. The restaurant and breakfast room of the hotel at the top of Koli have panoramic views over Lake Pielinen. The place is always impressive, but that October […]
Autumn is well under way in Finland. In the south, the maples and oaks have already turned yellow, and the ground is covered in birch leaves that the wind and rain have torn from the trees. Rain lashes the windows every now and then, and some parts of Finland have already had their first night […]
Just a short drive from Turku, a tall rock called Vanhalinna (‘Old Castle’) rises on the banks of the Aurajoki river amid rural scenery. Its grey, stony surface is a striking sight in the middle of the fields. This is one of the most significant ancient hillforts in Finland, and it is well worth climbing […]
This morning, pulling on a pair of wool socks, I realized autumn has unmistakably arrived. So I sat down and made a list of some genuinely traditional Finnish signs of the season — things that hold true all across Finland, even though the practical details of getting ready for autumn vary somewhat depending on what […]
The mid-morning sun is already shining at full strength, but the thermometer reads only about ten degrees of crisp warmth. The air drifting over the bog smells of autumn. The forest floor around us is blanketed in blueberry and bog bilberry shrubs turned red, and the pale lichen coat covering the rocks is cold and […]
I had been waiting for quite a while for a day when all of the following elements would line up at once: fine weather, a weekday, good company, a reason to be in Turku, and a free schedule. When such a day finally arrived, I knew exactly what to do: I would walk the route […]
The shores of the Baltic Sea are, in my opinion, among the loveliest places in Finland to visit in autumn—and even in winter. Winter is a long, dark season here in the north, and when everyday life keeps spinning, the mind now and then starts to crave a brisk refresh. Any nearby forest happily works […]
Autumn in Finland isn’t just about beauty and vibrant fall colors. It’s also the time of year when many people start to feel more tired and low-spirited. The days grow shorter, the rain becomes constant, and the cold seeps into your bones. No wonder moods can dip and energy levels drop. Some even experience what’s […]
Oulanka National Park is a true paradise for hikers and nature lovers, mesmerizing visitors with dramatic landforms, towering cliffs, and mighty rapids. Its vast network of trails offers something for every level of ability, and the park is dotted with an abundance of rest areas and wilderness huts. Famous for its suspension bridges, rugged canyons, […]
