Even if summer makes you wait for it, a certain sign of summer is the explosion of colours at the Haaga rhododendron park in Helsinki. The splendour only lasts for a few weeks in June, and this destination is definitely worth visiting even if your knowledge of flowers is limited only to "Oh, look how pretty they are!".
One way to get to the park is by train to Huopalahti train station from where you can walk to...
You might not expect to see a Japanese-style cherry tree park in Finland. However, this curiosity does exist in the middle of an otherwise non-descript suburb in East Helsinki called Roihuvuori, and every May the glorious pink foliage magically appears after months of snow. It vanishes almost as quickly as it has appeared so you have to be prepared.
As weather in Finland varies anywhere from snow and sleet to...
In a time of impending climate disasters and rising temperatures, many may experience a deep-seated need to crawl back to your mother's lap. In the unique erosion cave at Högberget, you can do exactly that.
I had tried to find this cave once before but without success. This time my mother and I were determined to find it, no excuses. We knew roughly where it was but we had no idea how to get there. When we got to...
Uutela is an urban outdoors area in the eastern part of Helsinki easily accessible to everyone. Whether you look for more challenge on your trail running or hiking, if you want to go bird-watching, or whether you just want to barbecue some goodies for yourself on an open barbecue area, Uutela is the place to go.
Aulanko was created as a forest park which was later turned into the first national urban park of Finland. This vast yet accessible greenery in Hämeenlinna (about 1h from Helsinki) offers a possibility for enjoying the lake waters, hiking in the forests, skiing down the slopes of steep cliffs, and following in the footsteps of adventurers (and even bears) to see stunning landscapes. In short, it has something for everyone. I've visited Aulanko several times both...
Northern Lights, aurora borealis, are a wonder of nature that only few people get to see. We want to help everyone enjoy these stunningly beautiful apparitions so here are some tips on when, where, and how to see Northern Lights.
Northern Lights are created when the high-energy particles created by solar winds crash together with the atoms in Earth's upper atmosphere. These high-energy particles,...
The river Vantaa (Vantaanjoki) runs for 99 kilometres (62 mi) through the capital area, providing excellent fishing, hiking, and general adventure for all ages. One the best places to enjoy the river is by the Vantaankoski rapids where nature meets old Finnish industry.
Rapids rarely freeze even in the coldest of winters even though the water flowing through the rapids may actually be below 0°C (32 °F),...
I have driven past a sign pointing to Salpa-asema dozens of times on my way but only a few years ago I stopped to explore this area in southeastern Finland for the first time. You don't immediately understand the significance of the area because the area is very humble and unassuming but it is a nature area where one of the most important Finnish defences were build during World War II.
At first, it...
A lot of people will know the story about Jack and the Beanstalk. When the seeds grow into a stalk, Jack climbs up and ends up in the house of the giant. In some versions, Jack is hidden in the giant's kettle but the giant smells him in his house. This story really comes...
Whether you prefer a slow, gentle stroll along the seaside or a more strenuous trail running experience, the Rantaraitti (seaside promenade or the waterfront walkway) in Espoo, Finland's second biggest city is the thing to do. It literally has it all: possibilities for berry and mushroom picking, cycling, running and walking, the sea and forests, gentle paved and accessible paths as well as demanding trails in the adjoining forests, fishing and bird watching opportunities, benches...
