Credits: Harri Tarvainen
Finland is covered with beautiful forests, lakes and fells, ensuring there’s plenty of space to explore and connect with nature. With more than 40 national parks and hundreds of other nature preserves, you’re sure to find an outdoor destination that suits your interests.
Looking for an easy half-day trip or a multi-day hike through the wilderness? Here are some ideas to help you get started!
Check out this selection of easy and accessible half-day nature destinations across Finland’s four regions.
Ranked the best outdoor destination in 2020, Kintulammi is a fantastic hiking area and nature preserve 20 kilometres outside Tampere. This public destination offers trails, duckboards, lean-tos and plenty of signposts. There are approximately 15 kilometres of marked hiking routes, five fire pits and four dry toilets, too.
There are beautiful lake views only a short drive from the city of Lahti. The 7,5 kilometre-long Tiilijärvi Lake Trail in Hollola loops around three lakes: Vähä-Tiilijärvi, Keski-Tiilijärvi, and Iso-Tiilijärvi. Starting from Vähä-Tiilijärvenkuja, the nearest campfire spot can be found in Martan maja. This lean-to shelter is along the Tiirismaa Kierros Trail, about 1,5 kilometres from the Tiilijärvi Lake Trail.
Sipoonkorpi National Park lies within easy reach of Helsinki. The 1,4 kilometre Byabäcken Nature Trail (circle trail 2,1 km) snakes through lush forests and ends in pastures. During summer, you might see cows maintaining the landscape. Another route, Tasakallio–Storträsk, is a short 1-kilometre trail.
Located in eastern Helsinki, the nature trail at Uutela consists of two walking trails that form a figure-eight pattern. The tracks offer everything from glacial rock formations to coastal scenes and forest to marshland.
Not into dense forests? Thirty kilometres southwest of Hanko, Bengtskär is a rocky island in the outer archipelago. There are no snakes, mosquitoes, or ticks in Bengtskär - just a stunning open sea. It's a popular resting place for migratory birds in the spring and autumn. Here you might even spot the occasional seal if you're lucky! To access the island, board a tour boat from Kasnäs or Hanko.
Another easy and fun way to experience arctic nature is to hop on a bicycle. Inari-Saariselkä has several easy forest and fell trails, as well as guided tours all year round. Rent an electric fat bike or a mountain bike and discover the many charms of open fell biking!
Want to stay overnight or embark on something a bit more challenging? Take a look at these intermediate nature destinations and trails.
Hossa National Park near Kuusamo is nestled within a tangle of narrow lakes and rivers. There are 90 kilometres of marked hiking trails and 60 kilometres of water excursion trails. Both offer plenty of good spots for both beginners and experienced canoers.
In Nuuksio National Park, it might be hard to believe the capital is only a stone’s throw away. Choose to camp, sleep in a tentsile or rent a cabin. Even better, stay overnight at a wilderness cabin by Natura Viva. There you can finish the day of hiking by hitting the sauna! If you're interested in exploring the larger Nuuksio area, visit nuuksiolakeland.fi.
Located on the southwestern coast of the Gulf of Finland, Teijo National Park offers pristine lakes and rivers and beautiful forests, hills, wetlands and swamps. Combine outdoor activities with idyllic accommodations in one of the nearby historic villages of Teijo, Mathildedal and Kirjakkala.
Karhunkierros, also “Bear’s round”, is one of the most popular hiking trails in Finland. The trail takes hikers by roaring rapids and ramparts that will make your head spin. Walking the full trail takes couple of days, but there are also shorter trails for day trips. There are ten unlocked wilderness cabins along the route. However, it’s always wise to carry a tent for backup.
Experienced hikers have plenty of options to escape into nature and get off-grid in Finland.
Despite its location close to the capital, Nuuksio National Park offers long, challenging trails for experienced trekkers. There’s even a 110-kilometre hiking trail that runs through the whole park and is also suitable for biking. The terrain is hilly, so be prepared to break a sweat!
This one’s a challenge, but it comes with some of the most beautiful archipelago views in the world – and a sauna experience for every day! Walk part of the historical 1,200-kilometre medieval pilgrim route from island to island. If you want to go all the way, the St. Olav waterway route will take you from Turku Cathedral and Finnish Archipelago to Trondheim in Norway.
Located in the northeastern corner of Finnish Lapland, the Sevettijärvi area is your ticket to the wilderness – and great fishing. The 60-70 kilometre-long Sevettijärvi-Pulmanki hiking trail winds through the vast wilderness of Kaldoaivi. July and August are the recommended months to hike, but there's also a winter route for skiers and snowmobilers.
Why climb one hill when you can climb seven? At Ylläs, you’ll find just that: seven hills in one area. Hike or bike in the summer and ski or snowshoe in winter. Breathtaking scenery is guaranteed.
To the Polar Circle and beyond! At the cap of the North runs the Nordkalott trail – an 800-kilometre route that crosses Finland, Norway and Sweden. The Finnish section is a 70-kilometre-long summer hiking trail that runs through Käsivarsi wilderness area and Malla strict nature reserve. You can access the trail from the village of Kilpisjärvi.
If you want to experience true arctic wilderness alongside luxuries like marked routes, guides and hut accommodations, try a guided skiing tour. This weeklong, Halti hut-to-hut ski expedition will take you to the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area in northern Finland. It’s suitable for fit people with some experience in hiking and skiing.