The heart of Liesjärvi National Park can, in a way, be found at its southern edge, where the Korteniemi Heritage Farm is located. This old forest ranger’s homestead serves as a beautiful, atmospheric starting point for hikes into the national park, radiating the spirit of times past. From one corner of the Korteniemi yard, you […]
Snowshoeing, in the right conditions – above all on a firm, load-bearing snow crust – is a fun and fitness-boosting activity that will make you break a sweat even in freezing temperatures. In the Pallastunturi fells, there is a great destination for both beginners and more experienced snowshoers alike: Palkaskero. The route from the nature […]
Ruissalo in Turku is an island connected to the mainland by a bridge, offering nature lovers plenty to explore. We visited Ruissalo for an afternoon outing with the intention of experiencing two very different worlds: the University of Turku Botanical Garden and, just a few kilometres away, the coastal area of Kuuva. The wildly shifting […]
This year again, it looks like there won’t be any snow in the southernmost parts of Finland for who knows how long. My sympathies to all of you who have travelled to Finland & Helsinki only to discover that the white winter wonderland you imagined is nowhere to be found. Instead, you’re greeted by grey […]
From the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia it is easy not only to set off on short local trails, but also to head towards the more wilderness-like parts of Nuuksio National Park, such as the areas around Lake Urja and Lake Orajärvi. There are no marked trails in this part of the park, so you need […]
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 […]
Many are surprised to learn that Finland’s coast offers interesting opportunities for snorkeling. Although the Baltic Sea is relatively shallow and low in salinity, its underwater world is diverse and easy to explore even without diving equipment. Snorkeling gives visitors a new perspective on this northern sea and makes a seaside holiday in Finland even […]
I have just been reading a blog post about the beneficial effects of the forest on brain health. When, after a long day at work – tired from my job and weighed down by the news of the world – I pull a woolly hat onto my head, slip rubber boots on my feet, and […]
In Teijo National Park in Salo, the autumn colors glow beautifully each fall. The area offers an easy and enjoyable autumn foliage destination in Southwest Finland, even for less experienced hikers, with trails around Lakes Matildanjärvi and Puolakkajärvi. A special feature of Teijo National Park is its charming neighboring ironworks villages, such as Mathildedal, where […]
In Punkaharju, one of Finland’s official national landscapes, there is a spot where smooth rock slopes gently and evenly into the clear waters of Lake Puruvesi. Higher up on the wooded bank stands a lean-to shelter, accessible also by wheelchair or with a stroller. This place is called Karjalankallio, “The Rock of Karelia,” a beautiful […]
