National parks in Finland are attracting millions of visitors every year. There are 40 national parks in Finland, all of them distinct from one another. Which are the most visited national parks in Finland? What are their special characteristics? When was the oldest national park established? Which is the biggest? Read more to find out which national park you should select as your next vacation destination!
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As our winters have become more unpredictable especially in Southern Finland, one has to make use of every opportunity for winter sports. This winter the ‘real’ winter with snow and subzero temperatures started around Christmas and skiing tracks as well as ice skating rinks have been crowded ever since. I have also enjoyed the wilderness with snow shoes, which seems to be on the rise as a winter hobby.
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Cross-country skiing is a very popular hobby in Finland, and when the snow situation allows, many Finns head outdoors to skiing tracks around the country. For example, Torronsuo bog is good place for the cross-country skiing. It is popular especially on the weekends when the parking lot gets full, but as it has long skiing tracks on the bog, it doesn't usually feel crowded. While Torronsuo provides very flat skiing tracks, my secret skiing spot Keräkankare has hills...
Ice-fishing in Finland is a popular hobby, especially in spring when the sun is shining and temperatures are getting warmer. Ice-fishing season begins when there's enough ice on lake or sea. Check the current ice conditions from the Finnish Meteorological Institute. You can also check the thickness of the ice with an ice drill. If you unsure about your safety, do not go on ice. Ice-fishing with a rod and jig is allowed by everyman’s rights, but there might be limitations in certain...
Snowmobiling in Lapland is a bucket list thing to do for any petrol head or those who want to really experience Lappish nature in the winter, outside of Hullu Poro. Skiing is of course a nature lover's number one option and snowshoeing comes as close second, but there are somewhat limited number of kilometers that you can cover with them - or at least what I can cover with them. Snowmobiling is a great option for seeing the nature and reaching your destination when...
Iso-Valkee is a beautiful little lake with sandy beaches, lean-to shelters and a nature trail. This area is especially popular among swimmers and divers, ice-skaters, dog owners and geocachers. The trail around the lake is 3,7 km long. Water in the lake is crystal clear, which is not that common in the Finnish lakes.
I went to Iso-Valkee in November, a day before the snow, and I didn't see any swimmers. The lake was partly open as it is up to 24 meters deep and has some natural springs. But...
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...
When I was climbing up the seemingly-endless stairs of the observation tower in Luhdanjohki, I wondered why I always seem to choose places to see that are very high up. It's not that I'm afraid of heights but I just always feel that by the time I get up to the top, I know I seriously need to exercise more. In any case, my little teenage friends were almost flying up the stairs and didn't seem winded at all. Well, good for them!
How did we end up in a tower then? Well, some teenage...
Torronsuo National Park is the closest national park to where I grew up and I have visited it many times since it was opened in 1990. It is one of my favorite locations to go for a walk on the duckboards and I like to go cross-country skiing on the bog in the winters. I have my secret spots for cranberry picking and I occasionally like to climb to one of its birdwatching towers at Kiljamo.
On a good winter during the months of January-March Torronsuo might have up to 45 kilometers of...
