Get active in Finland this summer
“An active holiday in Finland offers excitement, variety and a real opportunity to experience one of Mother Nature’s finest adventure playgrounds” says the Finnish Tourist Board. The thousands of lakes, wide expanses of open countryside and forest, the rolling northern fells, the river valleys and spectacular archipelago combine to make Finland a number one destination for anyone seeking an activity holiday with a difference.
“As a nation we Finns are rightly proud of the countryside we’re lucky enough to have around us,” comments Anne Lind, director of the Finnish Tourist Board. “There are close to 200,000 lakes, 35 national parks (including one that’s just 40 minutes’ drive from downtown Helsinki) and thousands of kilometres of coastline to explore. The Finnish concept of ‘Every Man’s Right’ permits public access to uncultivated land, so the opportunity to explore and appreciate the beauty of the Finnish landscape is there for everyone to enjoy.”
Here is a selection of six Finnish activity holiday opportunities for this summer:
1. Bear watching in Kuhmo, eastern Finland
According to wildlife expert Dr Steve Banner, FRGS, bear watching is the most exciting nature experience in Europe! You spend a night in a comfortable hide in the forest. The hides for six to eight people have beds, toilet, very comfortable chairs and very close viewing of the bears.
“On Saturday night I saw 18 different bears, large 300kg males, sub-adults and females with playful young cubs. They came as close as 20 feet (7m) away and were visible for several hundred metres through the forest,” says Dr Banner.
“We arrived at the hide at 5.30pm, by 6 we had two bears and for the rest of the night it continued. Talking of night, it does not get dark at this time of the year. The most bears at any one time was nine and they were everywhere you looked – even with cubs running up the trees! At 6.30 in the morning three large males were still running around and eventually we had to make some noise so that they would go off to rest in the forest, allowing us back to a comfortable lodge. A good breakfast and nice sauna later and we were refreshed and buzzing with the excitement of what we had just seen.”
2. Island hopping in the archipelago
The amazing archipelago, situated to the south and west of the city of Turku, is one of Finland’s most stunning natural phenomena. There are more than 2,000 islands stretching from close to the city – right out into the Baltic Sea. Cycling a circular route around the main islands is easy and fun by the excellent system of local ferries which go back and forth almost like moving bridges. There are picturesque harbour villages to visit and the true peace of nature to enjoy. The tour starts and ends in Turku, Finland’s oldest city and a bustling, attractive market town.
3. Hiking in the Oulanka National Park
The stunning wilderness of the Oulanka National Park provides the perfect setting for a week of exploration and discovery. High up in the north of Finland, close to the Arctic Circle, the summer days seem to last for ever. The National Park is home to ancient spruce trees, beautiful flowers and plants as well as a great variety of wildlife sharing the same space as you. Never far away is the roar of mighty rapids or the gentle trickle of a fresh forest stream. Trails are well marked and there is a wealth of useful information available to ensure you plan a route that’s just right for you.
4. Kuusamo adventure week
Kuusamo can fairly lay claim to the title of ‘adventure capital of Finland’, such is its proximity to a wide range of exciting action-packed opportunities. A week of adventures here can include shooting the rapids in rubber rafts, mountain biking, horse riding, hiking and generally making the most of the superb wilderness scenery. At the end of the day don’t forget a slow, warm and relaxing sauna that’s sure to ease away the aches of a hard day’s adventure.
5. Lakeland seal trail
What a fantastic way to explore the islands and ridges that make up the Finnish Lakeland. Discover the amazing and unique beauty of the ecosystem here, where the Saimaa ringed seal makes its home. The trail you’ll follow takes in the national parks of Linnansaari and Kolovesi as well as other areas of interest which are included in Finland’s National Lakeshore Conservation programme.
6. Horseback adventure to the Russian frontier
Climb aboard a strong, energetic Finnish horse for the adventure of a lifetime through the forests, river valleys and gorges of the fantastic Oulanka National Park. The horses are used to crossing big rivers, although you might find your feet get a little wet in the process! They’re also used to dealing with uneven ground and can also manage very efficiently across swampy terrain. Enjoy the seven-day expedition, which will include some nights spent right out in the midst of true wilderness as you edge closer and closer to the Russian frontier. A night spent in a ‘laavu’, or tiny forest hut, is truly unforgettable!
For more information about any of these programmes, visit the Finnish Tourist Board’s website at Visitfinland.com.
