One great reason to stop for a walkabout in the town of Kajaani is the area of the river: both the ruins of the Kajaani castle as well as the tar canal locks are located next to it. We were on a roadtrip, driving from South of Finland towards Lapland, and had already stopped in Kuopio to admire the views from the famous Puijo tower. We needed another quick break to...
Sand beaches are rare in the Western Uusimaa region, but one worth a visit is the island of Stora Fagerö. Located in the archipelago some six kilometres south of the town of Inkoo it is not very accessible, but visitors are rewarded with a long and shallow sand beach, tent pitching possibilities, a small boat harbour and a fireplace.
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Marttila wilderness trails introduce nature in South Western Finland better than several national parks combined. I was particularly impressed by the great variety that the trails in Marttila have, big boulders called Juomakivi and Isokarhunkivi, views at Mopokallio and Rajakallio, and last but not least a narrow gorge called Lotikonkellari. And we only saw a part of...
Cloudberry (rubus chamaemorus) is a native herb in Finland, growing in bogs, meadows and marshes. The berries are famous delicacy in Finland, known as hilla, lakka and suomuurain in Finnish. A beloved child has many names! I haven't always been a fan of cloudberries, especially when I was younger and couldn't stand mosquitos eating me alive at bogs. Cloudberries also have stones, similar to...
Dark green pine forests, shining blue lakes, magnificent high fjells, and the open sky as far as the eye can see. That is what you have at Koli, which is probably the most famous of all Finnish landscapes. I have visited Koli several times and every single time when I climb those last few steps to the top of the hill and stop, I am silenced by the majesty of the...
Aneriojärvi is a small lake in Suomusjärvi in Salo municipality, only 1 kilometer south from Helsinki-Turku motorway. There is a wooden walkway leading to a birdwatching tower and a small river called Varesjoki. A short distance away you may also see a huge 10-meter high boulder called Hermolanvaha. Based on archeological finds this area has been inhabited for at...
Hetta is the main village in Enontekiö municipality, which is known for reindeer husbandry. Located in Lapland, Enontekiö occupies a large and very sparsely populated area near Swedish and Norwegian borders. Hetta hosts the Fell Lapland Visitor Centre, which presents the genuine Nomadic Sámi Culture, the diversity of northern nature and the history of tourism in...
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!".
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Rumavaara is a hill that overlooks Korentojärvi lake in Pudasjärvi municipality in the province of Oulu. Pudasjärvi is famous for its nature, and it is home to Syöte, the southernmost fell area in Finland. In order to reach Rumavaara, you have to cross the devil's field first!
Rumavaara literally means ugly hill,...
Rissla forest trail is located at Fiskars village in Raseborg municipality, approximately one-hour drive west of Helsinki. Fiskars is a thriving, 600-strong community of artists and craftspeople in a beautiful setting by a river Fiskarså. The Rissla forest trail departs from the village and leads you to an old Rissla dam and beautiful waterfall in Risslaån river....
