Destinations // 8 April 2024
Konttainen Trail in Kuusamo & Ruka Finland is one of the finest destinations for day hiking in the Ruka and Kuusamo region. From the summit of Konttainen, you can also access Finland's most famous hiking trail, Karhunkierros Bear’s Trail. In the Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature Reserve, you'll find stunning views of hills and fells.
The peak of Konttainen rises 433 meters (1421 ft) above sea level. From its numerous viewpoints, you can admire the scenery of Ruka and Northern Kuusamo, the neighboring Valtavaara, and the shimmering Lake Konttainen. Konttainen in winter is a beautiful day hike amidst the crown-snow scenery.
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Konttainen Hike in Kuusamo
- Destination: Ruka, Kuusamo, Finland
- Distance: 2 km (1.24 miles)
- Difficulty: Easy (Classified as Demanding)
- When to go: From June to October (year-round)
- Duration: 1-2 hours
Destinations // 16 February 2024
Located in eastern Uusimaa, Sipoonkorpi National Park is a wilderness destination just a short distance from Helsinki. Sipoonkorpi offers green pine forests, mossy rocks, and rural landscapes.
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Adventures // 31 January 2024
Repovesi National Park guides the visitor through mossy forests to majestic cliffs offering breathtaking views over the lakes, framed by pine trees. In mid-winter, the pines are covered in frost, and in early spring, the icefalls glisten in the sun.
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Adventures // 30 December 2023
Ski touring in Lapland is a dream for many outdoor enthusiasts, especially after becoming familiar with summer hiking. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in Finland fits perfectly for your first ski tour: the Hetta-Pallas winter trail is well-maintained and marked, the cabin network is extensive, and settlements are nearby. The national landscape in winter is also breathtakingly beautiful.
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Hetta-Pallas Winter Route
- Destination: Enontekiö and Muonio, Lapland, Finland
- Distance: Hetta-Pallas 58 km (36 miles, one direction)
- Difficulty: physically demanding but suitable for beginners
- When to go: from March to April
- Where to stay: camping in tent, in reservation or open wilderness huts, some Lappish huts
Adventures // 30 October 2023
Hammastunturi wilderness in Lapland is a wonderful hiking and fishing destination in Finland. The area is known for the historical Lapland’s Gold of River Ivalojoki. The peaceful wilderness area is located between Urho Kekkonen National Park and Lemmenjoki National Park, near Saariselkä.
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Hammastunturi Wilderness
- Destination: Inari / Kittilä / Sodankylä, Lapland, Finland
- Difficulty: when avoiding bogs, moderate but includes river crossings and wilderness hikes require advanced skills
- When to go: from June to October (year-round destination)
- Mobile phone network coverage: no coverage
Destinations // 13 October 2023
Riisitunturi National Park in Posio Lapland is a great nature destination year-round. Riisitunturi is probably the most popular location for nature photographers in winter, when thick white crown snow covers the trees on the fells. Riisitunturi's winter is amazing for seeing Northern Lights as well.
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Riisin Rääpäsy Winter Trail
- Destination: Posio, Lapland, Finland
- Distance: 4.3 km (2.67 miles)
- Difficulty: Easy
- When to go: From November to April in winter (year-round)
- Duration: 1.5-2 h
Destinations // 6 October 2023
Saivonkierros nature trail in Ylläs Lapland leads you through a pine forest to a steep rock Seitapahta and a ravine lake surrounded by rocks, Äkässaivo. Äkässaivo is located just at the border of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in Finland. Ylläs and Kellokas Visitor Centre are twenty minutes away by car.
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Saivonkierros Trail
- Destination: Muonio, Lapland, Finland
- Distance: 3.5 km (2.1 miles)
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Duration: 1 h
Destinations // 3 October 2023
Aakenustunturi fell rises in western Kittilä, right next to Ylläs, in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in Lapland. Aakenustunturi fell has three high peaks, Pallilaki (565 m / 1854 ft), Moloslaki (530 m / 1739 ft) and Vasalaki (470 m / 1542 ft). The Aakenustunturi trail, Moloslaki Trail, goes through Vasalaki.
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Aakenustunturi Fell, Moloslaki Trail
- Destination: Kittilä, Lapland, Finland
- Distance: 11.5 km (7.1 miles)
- Difficulty level: Moderate - Moderately challenging
- Duration: 4 h (overnight stays possible)
The long-distance fall hike is the most wonderful hike of the year. The best hiking season in the Nordics begins in the middle of September. Check your gear and you are ready to go!
When you want to hike with lightweight backpack, choose the 'big three' from the light end: sleeping system (sleeping bag and sleeping pad), tent, and your hiking rucksack. When weighing the options on a tight budget, consider which items are worth investing and which items are not that important.
For a long-distance or multi-day fall hike, you need more or less the same equipment as for a summer hike, especially if you're heading to Lapland or to the mountains. Hiking gear in fall is often supplemented with warmer layers of clothing, but if you have initially chosen equipment for three seasons, there is no need to make any new purchases.
In this article, I listed my own favorites, which I use on hikes from spring to late fall in the Nordics, some also go with me in winter. Here you can find gear list for lightweight backpacking for a week's hike (or longer):
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Tent
- Hiking Backpack
- Cooking essentials
- Clothes and hiking shoes for fall
- Essential gear (first aid, toilet paper, electronics, map, etc.)
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Trail Run // 31 July 2023
Rokua National Park is part of Rokua Geopark, which was the first in Finland to be selected as one of UNESCO's unique geological sites. The geopark also includes the areas of Lake Oulujärvi and Oulujokilaakso River Valley.
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Rokua Keisarinkierros Trail
- Destination: Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland
- Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- When to go: From June to September (year-round)
