Our small crew has journeyed from the countryside to the city by land, and now it’s time to set sail from Helsinki’s Halkolaituri pier. Surrounding the pier are numerous magnificent vessels adorned with various masts, plenty of ropes, fine details, and an aura of a bygone era. I’m no seasoned sailor, but standing on the […]
Nestled among the central Finnish pines at Kivijärvi (Rocky Lake), a peculiar sight rises. This dark cabin, with its sleek Scandinavian lines, appears almost floating between the trees, suspended halfway between the roots and the treetops. A comparatively light-structured pillar supports this grand spectacle, evoking images of a majestic bird feeder. However, this cabin is […]
Eagerly, I scurry towards the shore where a charming boat awaits at the dock. The evening in May is breathtakingly beautiful and bright, filled with the sheer joy of a boat trip, but the excitement is heightened by the anticipation of possibly spotting my first Saimaa ringed seals! We depart from the shore of Puumala […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
