Winter is a great time to go hiking. Sometimes, it is just hiking in cold, when the trails are free of snow and ice. Sometimes, winter hiking is enjoying snow drifts and freezing temperature. With the right gear and mindset, you are ready for amazing winter experiences.
Winter hiking requires a bit more preparing than hiking in summer, when you can just throw on your hiking shoes and head to the woods. Once you get the basics right and have confidence to try winter hiking for the first time, you may find the magic and fun of winter outdoors.
In this blog post you will find everything you need to know for wintry excursions and hiking in snow. Here are my best tips to stay warm and safe in the Northern Latitudes (and in any other winter wonderland as well)!
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Destinations // 6 January 2023
Soutaja fell is perhaps the most beautiful fell in the Pyhä-Luosto area in Lapland, Finland. Soutaja fell is a great year-round outdoors destination, suitable for snowshoeing, fatbiking and skiing in winter. Due to its magnificent powder snow Soutaja (373 m) is especially popular among snow surfers and off-piste skiers.
Pyhä-Luosto winter trails offer wonderful opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Soutaja fell is considerably smaller than Pyhä's highest and most famous Kultakero fell, but on a sunny frosty day the fell’s beautiful crown-snow scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Soutaja is uncrowded even in the middle of the busiest skiing season.
Pyhä-Luosto National Park is Finland's southernmost great fell area. Pyhä has been a sacred place for the Forest Sámi people, which can still be seen in the place names of the area. Peaceful Soutaja on the shore of Lake Pyhäjärvi is perfect for a quiet mindful day trip in the midst of everyday hustle and bustle.
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Pyhä Soutaja Winter Trail
- Destination: Pelkosenniemi and Kemijärvi, Central Lapland, Finland
- Difficulty: easy
- When to go: winter trail from December to April, year-round destination
- Duration: a day trip
Destinations // 17 December 2022
Sipoonkorpi National Park in Finland is a green oasis in Eastern Uusimaa. It lies within easy reach of Helsinki. Sipoonkorpi may be the most forested forest in Finland, and the area consists of wilderness and traditional rural landscapes. Sipoonkorpi National Park is the last wilderness area of the capital region of Helsinki.
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Destinations // 7 December 2022
Pyhätunturi is located in Pyhä-Luosto, Lapland. The largest and most famous peak of Pyhätunturi is called "Kultakero". In winter, the summit of Kultakero and the crown-snow trees on the slopes, as well as the vast fell scenery, are a delight for skiers and hikers alike.
The Pyhä ski resort is located in the southernmost large fell area of Finland, in Central Lapland. People often go to Pyhä for skiing, but Pyhä offers great opportunities for all kinds of winter activities.
Conquering the peak of Pyhä on foot or by a scenic lift is a great experience in the winter fells. It's worth going to the top in good weather - the winter sunset on the top of Pyhä is fabulously beautiful!
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Pyhä Finland Peak Hike
- Destination: Kemijärvi, Central Lapland, Finland
- Difficulty: easy
- When to go: in winter, check the scenic lift opening times
- Duration: a half-day trip
Adventures // 2 December 2022
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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Merino wool is a great natural material that is at its best in outdoor sports clothes. I have used different merino wool clothes mostly on hikes, in trail running I have preferred more technical materials. However, merino wool has superior properties compared to technical materials, so I have increasingly turned to merino wool on the running side as well.
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Destinations // 28 November 2022
Pyhätunturi, Lapland is a popular destination for downhill skiing, but Pyhä winter trails offer also amazing opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Karhunjuomalampi cross-country skiing tour is a magnificent day trip in winter!
Pyhä-Luosto National Park in Central Lapland, is the southernmost great fell area in Finland. It includes the oldest national park in Finland: Pyhä was established already in 1938. During winter, you can admire beautiful crown snow loaded trees and white fell scenery.
Pyhätunturi fell has been a sacred place of the Forest Sámi people. The various names on the area refer to religion and ancient belief. Pyhä (= Holy in English) is a beautiful place for nature pilgrimage year-round.
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Pyhä Karhunjuomalampi Cross-Country Skiing Tour
- Destination: Pelkosenniemi and Kemijärvi, Central Lapland, Finland
- Difficulty: easy, a short moderate leg
- When to go: from February to April for cross-country skiing
- Duration: a day trip
Adventures // 25 November 2022
Snowshoes, crown snow scenery, and my first winter hike solo. Everything in the sentence screams: exciting!
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Syöte National Park - winter hike
- Destination: Pudasjärvi, Taivalkoski and Posio, Northern Osthrobotnia, Finland
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- When to go: from December to April for a winter hike
- Duration: suitable for day trips and multi-day adventures
- Where to stay: camping in tent, many open wilderness huts, hotels and lodges in Syöte
