Winter’s icy, snowy fingertips have already brushed parts of the Lapland wilderness, but the whole region is still waiting for the thick, lasting blanket of snow to arrive. While thinking about this, I found a story in my memories and photo archives from a trip a few winters ago. That day I got to see […]
As you drive along Nuuksiontie road towards the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia, there is a small turn-off on a hillside that leads to a parking area. An HSL bus stop is also about 600 metres away. It would be easy to cruise right past, but that would be a shame, because the parking area gives […]
An October evening stroll in the old ironworks village of Kärkelä took an unexpected turn when a young moose waded into Lake Sikajärvi right before our eyes – and my camera just happened to be rolling already. Kärkelä is a small but lovely old ironworks village on the border of Salo and Lohja. There are […]
A visitor once described its atmosphere as the “Stars Hallow of Finland”. Those of you who have enjoyed the Gilmore Girls tv-series will get what this means. Please let me introduce you to this special place which magically appears and disappears annually and has brought the soft light of pumpkin lanterns to the life of […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Pallas fells are one of Finland’s 27 nationally significant landscapes. The cluster of round-topped, massive fell peaks is a sight that easily leaves onlookers speechless – both first-timers and more experienced visitors to Lapland alike. The Pallas fells can be seen from far away and admired from many different directions. Here’s a list of […]
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 […]
As late summer settles over the coast and everyday routines resume in many Finnish households, one hiking destination after another grows quiet again. This is the time of year when even summer’s busiest spots can be experienced in peace, while the weather is still holding onto its warm, gentle character. We headed out on a […]
