Snowshoes, crown snow scenery, and my first winter hike solo. Everything in the sentence screams: exciting!
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Multi-day adventure
Sarek National Park is located in Swedish Lapland, in Jokkmokk Municipality. The ruggedly beautiful Sarek is the oldest national park in Europe, and it is often called the last great wilderness of the North. Six out of thirteen peaks over 2,000 m are located within the boundaries of the national park, and there are around 100 glaciers.
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Muotkatunturi wilderness in Northern Lapland is the most wilderness-like area in Finland. The wilderness area is located in Utsjoki and Inari counties. There are around a hundred fells in Muotkatunturi, but the scenery is very open with gentle slopes in the horizon.
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Kevo Strict Nature Reserve in Utsjoki is one of the most rugged hiking destinations in Lapland, Finland. In the heart of the nature reserve there's almost a 40 km Kevo canyon with River Kevojoki flowing in the middle. You can explore the beautiful nature reserve by hiking either Kuivi ring route or Kevo route.
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Vistas valley (Vistasdalen in Swedish, Vistasvagge in Sami) is a green oasis in high-alpine environment in Swedish Lappland near Kebnekaise. The trail runs between Nikkaluokta and Alesjaure along river Vistasjohka in the wide valley surrounded by mountains. The trail is well-marked all the way. You can also hike the 84 km trail from Nikkaluokta to Abisko through Vistas valley. There’s a mountain cabin, Vistastugan, in the middle of the valley providing facilities, such as accommodation for hikers. The river is popular for paddling trips as well. Sometimes you may spot Scandinavian elks wandering in the valley – I did!
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Halti is the highest fell in Finland with the peak, Háldičohkka, at 1324 m above the sea level. The trail to Halti from Kilpisjärvi, the Arctic Trail or Nordkalott Trail, is the most popular route to Halti from Finland, but several unmarked routes through wilderness lead to Halti as well. I chose the Nordkalott route on my way to Halti but hiked back to Kilpisjärvi via Termisjärvi, following the Arctic Trail to the Kuonjarjoki hut before taking my own path.
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Halti is the highest fell in Finland with the peak, Háldičohkka, at 1324 m above the sea level. It can be summitted from Finland or from Norway as the fell is located at the border between two countries. The trail to Halti from Kilpisjärvi, the Arctic Trail (Nordkalott Trail), is the most popular route to Halti from Finland.
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Nuuksio National Park in southern Finland is less than an hour's drive from Helsinki. Its easy accessibility makes it ideal for beginner hikers. Although Nuuksio is a relatively urban nature area, the park is full of beautiful untouched forests and swamps, rugged cliffs, and sparkling lakes and ponds. The lucky and discerning outdoor enthusiast might also spot a tiny flying squirrel at dusk!
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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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