Autumn is my favorite time of the year, and the nicest time for outdoors. In the end of October, most of the colorful autumn leaves have usually fallen to the ground in the Southern Finland, the air is crisp but not cold, and there’s still a lot of daylight for hiking. I decided to visit the southern green oasis, Nuuksio National Park, as I didn’t have much time to spend for the journey. Luckily, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy the benefits of nature and get those happy outdoor experiences! My wishes and goals for the weekend were just testing my new winter sleeping bag before my first winter hike snowshoeing in Syöte National Park, trying autumn camping for the first time in my life, and getting fresh air and charging my batteries for the coming grey and dark November days.
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Hiking
Galdhøpiggen summit in Norway's Jotunheimen National Park is the highest point of Scandinavia and Northern Europe. To reach an astonishing panoramic view over the mountainous Norway, you just have to climb up to 2469 m.a.s.l. with around 1,500 meters of elevation gain.
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Would you like to experience scenic, out-of-this-world views, without the disturbance of 100 other people? Hike to Horseidvika and the Horseid Beach in Lofoten Islands! The Horseid Beach (Horseidvika) is one of the most difficult beaches to reach in Lofoten Islands, as it basically requires a ferry trip and several hours of hiking unlike the easier destinations Kvalvika Beach and Haukland Beach. But the reward from the effort is something to remember.
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I walked on the spectacular Kvalvika Beach in Lofotodden National Park in Lofoten Islands already fifteen years ago on my diving and hiking trip to Norway. Back then the day-hike was quiet, and the beach was empty (in the middle of July!), with just the ice-cold emerald green water roaring on the white sand between massive vertical cliffs rising straight from the ocean.
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The most popular hiking trail in Finland is Karhunkierros, also known as the Bear’s Trail. It takes you through the Oulanka National Park to beautiful forests and scenic views by the swirling River Oulankajoki. The difficulty level varies from easy to more challenging, but I don’t think there are any difficult parts really, even if you are an unexperienced hiker.
The 82 km trail starts from Hautajärvi village in Lapland’s Salla and ends in Rukatunturi fell in Kuusamo. The legendary Bear’s Trail was my first solo hike in the summer 2020.
This part covers the last 41km. Read also: Getting ready for the Bear's Trail and hiking the first 41 km.
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Karhunkierros, the Bear’s Trail, is the most popular hiking trail in Finland. It takes you through the Oulanka National Park to beautiful forests and scenic views by the swirling River Oulankajoki. The difficulty level varies from easy to more challenging, but I don’t think there are any difficult parts really, even if you are an unexperienced hiker.
The 82 km trail starts from Hautajärvi village in Lapland’s Salla and ends at the Rukatunturi fell in Kuusamo (of course you can hike it the other direction too!)
The legendary Bear’s Trail is kind of a must on every hiker’s bucket list. I hiked alone the Bear’s Trail in the end of June in 2020. It was my first solo hiking adventure, amazing and intensive, a life-changing experience I will remember the rest of my life. This is my hiking story from Salla' Hautajärvi to the mid-point of Karhunkierros Trail (41 km).
You might be interested: Karhunkierros - complete guide (2026)
Read also: Hiking in Finland - What to pack for a week's summer hike?
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