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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Multi-day adventure
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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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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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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Kungsleden, or King's Trail, is the most famous hiking trail in northern Sweden. The hiking trail is over 400 kilometers (249 miles) long, going from Abisko to Hemavan through rugged landscapes. The most popular stretch of the Kungsleden hikes is the Abisko-Nikkaluokta route.
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What are the best and longest hiking trails in Finland? Although southern Finland also offers beautiful landscapes, all the top five long-distance hikes are located in northern latitudes. On these multi-day hikes you will find unique nature, the most picturesque landscapes, the highest peak in our country and the cleanest air in the world.
All these hiking trails are perfect for solo hiking, and some of the trails are also suitable for your first long-distance hike. Pack your backpack and head towards the best nature experiences in Finland!
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Lake Luirojärvi Trail in Urho Kekkonen National Park, in Lapland Finland is a year-round classic hike. The route goes through the peak of Kiilopää fell to Lake Luirojärvi and Sokosti fell in wonderful open fell and forest landscapes. The Lake Luirojärvi hike can be done as a summer and fall hike as well as a winter ski excursion.
In Urho Kekkonen National Park, I did a four-day autumn colors hike to Lake Luirojärvi. My lightweight hiking gear made backpacking light and comfortable, and without rushing despite the long days on trails. I slept in ‘laavu’ shelter for the first time of my life, I enjoyed great fall and autumn colors in the sunshine and I also experienced amazingly pouring rainy days.
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The Hetta-Pallas hiking trail in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is Finland's oldest hiking trail and one of the most popular long distance hiking trails in Finland. The Hetta-Pallas trail goes from the peaks of the fells down to the gorges and back to the peaks to incredibly beautiful rugged landscapes.
The autumn time colors the Hetta-Pallas route with deep red tones. The 3-days Hetta-Pallas hike is a classic, that belongs to the best hikes in Finland.
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The mysterious Tarfala valley in Lapland Sweden is hidden in the armpit of several 2,000 m high mountain peaks. At the bottom of the valley glitters the turquoise Lake Tarfalajaure (Darfáljávri), the mountains are covered by some of the largest glaciers of Sweden. The rugged and barren Tarfala is one of the most beautiful valleys of the Kebnekaise mountain massif area.
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Koli National Park is a nature gem in North Karelia, Finland, which charms all year round. The view from the peaks of Koli to Lake Pielinen is one of our most beloved national landscapes. Koli has about 80 km of marked trails, with a few kilometres of winter trails for snowshoeing. To reach the best viewpoints and photo spots, you have to climb steep cliffs and traverse through dense forests.
In winter, the peaks and moorlands are best reached on snowshoes, there are fifty kilometres of trails for skiing adventures, and Ukko-Koli offers downhill skiing. A tour of the Koli peaks is the most spectacular day trip in the national park. Right next to the Koli National Park is Ryläys, with its slopes overlooking stunning forested hillsides.
I did a winter hike in Koli snowshoeing in the darkest time of the year in December. I also tested the Ikolanaho rental cabin.
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