Hiking in Finland

There are 9 National Hiking Areas in Finland. These areas include marked hiking trails and skiing trails, nature trails, camping  sites and lean-to shelters. Many of them also have a visitor centre or hiking centre as well as cabins or lodges  that are rented out.

Teijo -             

Western Finland, Southwest Finland Region
Municipality of Salo (www.salo.fi)
Area: 26 sq.km. Established in 1991.
Teijo Hiking Area offers possibilities for many kind of activities. The versatile landscape with its lakes, rocks and forests attracts hikers. Also the sea adds to the atmosphere and landscape. There are marked trails, lean-to shelters, campfire sites, camping sites and camping grounds, rental cabins and a nature information hut for hikers. Fishing is also possible in Teijo.

The forests of Teijo Hiking Area used to belong to the manor house of Teijo. Marks of the period of the iron works, such as remains of old charcoal pits, can be seen in the area. In the village of Teijo and in Kirjakkala area, there are many old buildings and constructions of the former three iron foundries, which have created the centuries old historically interesting milieu.

Ruunaa -

Eastern Finland, North Karelia Region
Municipality of Lieksa (www.lieksa.fi, in Finnish)
Area 32 sq.km. Established in 1987.

Come and experience the white water rapids of Ruunaa and the neighbourhood of the Russian border! Around Lieksanjoki River you find unforgettable scenery and many activities throughout the changing seasons.

The landscape of the hiking area is ideal for hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing and canoeing. The free-flowing white-water route of Ruunaa is suitable for all kinds of water sports from white-water rafting to canoeing, and it can be a unique adventure. Fishermen appreciate the waters of Ruunaa, where wild and planted salmonoids live. The fishing area is 20 km long. In the winter, it is also possible to drive round the rapids by snow mobile.

There are many hiking trails along the river and in the pine forests, some of them suitable for day trips, and others for hiking trips lasting for several days. Longer trips can be extended to Ruunaa Nature Reserve which is located on the border of the hiking area. In the nature reserve you can hike in the territory of the Wild Forest Reindeer.

Oulujärvi -

Kainuu
Municipality of Vaala (vaala.fi) 
Area: 78 sq.km. Established in 1993.

Lake Oulujärvi is often called ‘the sea of Kainuu Region’. Oulujärvi Hiking Area is truly characterised by the sea-like open waters and the barren sand dynes on the shores. On the other hand, it has beautiful, intricate lake landscape. It is the only state-owned hiking area in Finland located around an inland water area.

On the largest island in the heart of the area, there is the five star camping ground of Manamansalo, which also has the boat harbour of the area. Wild North has a recreational fishing area in Manamansalo.

 

Kylmäluoma -

North Ostrobothnia
Municipality of Taivalkoski (www.taivalkoski.fi, in Finnish)
Area: 74 sq. km. Established in 1979.

Kylmäluoma offers versatile possibilities for enjoying the outdoors. Popular activities in the area are hiking, fishing, canoeing, berry picking, and cycling. During winter skiing and ice fishing are favourites. Kylmäluoma is a wonderful holiday destination especially for families. The Kylmäluoma Outdoor Centre(www.villipohjola.fi) offers many services and is the perfect starting point for day trips to locations around the hiking area. On the other hand, in the hiking area’s wilderness zone visitors can test their survival skills. In winter the area boasts maintained cross-country ski trails, which are 4 to 9 km long.

Kylmäluoma Hiking Area is located in the northeast part of the municipality of Taivalkoski; 45 km south of the town of Kuusamo in the direction of Kajaani. The hiking area’s terrain is mostly covered by stark, rugged pine forest, which typically here include high ridge chains lining the shores of waterways. Visitors following trails at the top of the ridges get a spectacular view of lakes spread out below. Kylmäluoma has remnants of logging culture and meadow agriculture, and structures left from times when reindeer husbandry was practised in the area.

Iso-Syöte -

North Ostrobothnia
Town of Pudasjärvi (www.pudasjarvi.fi)
Area: 11.5 sq. km. Established in 1985.

Iso-Syöte Hiking Area is situated next to the Iso-Syöte holiday resort. It is bordered in the north by Syöte National Park and in the south by Syöte Recreational Forest. These three areas together form the Syöte outdoor recreation and conservation entity. Iso-Syöte Hiking Area, as well as, the areas surrounding it offer fantastic outdoor recreation possibilities throughout the year. Versatile hiking and cross-country skiing trails wind around the area and along its boundaries. The ski trails in the hiking area are a significant part of the Iso-Syöte ski trail network which services the holiday resorts in the Syöte area. Syöte Visitor Centre is the main starting point for hiking and skiing trails.

The main goal for the management and care of Iso-Syöte is to be able to preserve the hiking area’s natural features, cultural heritage and landscape, while developing the area for tourism and outdoor recreation and forestry, while helping the local residents keep their traditional rights. The ability of the terrain to cope with ever growing amounts of visitors is monitored by constantly and systematically keeping track of visitor numbers and by carrying out erosion studies. 

 

Inari -

Northern Lapland Region
Municipality of Inari (www.inari.fi)
Area: 1215 sq.km. Proposed as a state hiking area.

The landscape of Inari Hiking Area, with the impressive Lake Inarijärvi, the hills and fells, the rivers in between, and the shining lakes, offers nature and Lapland enthusiasts something new to see and to do on every visit.

The large Lake Inarijärvi and its surroundings are a good place to explore the wilderness-like nature of northern Lapland. For the local people, the area also serves the needs for recreation, and fishing for household use. Tourism companies bring their customers to Inari all year round. In total, about 200 000 visits are made every year to the area.

 

Hossa -

North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu
Municipality of Suomussalmi(www.suomussalmi.fi)
Area: 90 sq.km. Established in 1979

Hossa Hiking Area has sparkling clear lakes and rivers, grand ridges and hills and versatile possibilities for hiking. The scenery encompasses signs left by the Ice Age and by human habitation. Hossa Hiking Area is an ideal combination of services and peaceful nature.

Evo -

Southern Finland, Kanta-Häme Region
Hämeenlinna (www.hameenlinna.fi)
Area: 47 sq.km. Established in 1994.

Evo is one of the largest continuous forested areas in the southern Finland. Inside the 47 sq.km. large Hiking Area, you can walk on marked trails and stay overnight in lean-to shelters and designated camping sites.

It is also possible to extend your hiking trip to the municipality of Padasjoki on Päijänne-Ilves connection trail or to the municipality of Asikkala on Aurinko-Ilves connection trail. You can try your luck in fishing in the recreational fishing area of Evo. The Hiking Area is suitable for hiking trips lasting one or two days.

Evo is a typical watershed region, where the landscape is intricate and diverse. The scenery is dominated by the esker formation in the middle of the area. On the edges, the terrain is more rocky and difficult. 

 

Arctic Circle -

Southern Lapland Region
Rovaniemi (www.rovaniemi.fi)
Area: 36 sq. km.

Arctic Circle Hiking Area is a wilderness-like destination ideal for year-round outdoor recreation. It is located a half-hours car ride from the town of Rovaniemi. The landscape's signature features are the rugged hills, open water-logged aapa bogs and the River Raudanjoki with its spectacular rapids and lush shoreline forest. The hiking area’s trail network is diverse and has a variety of rest spots offering visitors of all ages a variety of hiking destinations and possibilities.The area around the Vikaköngäs and Vaattunkiköngäs Rapids has the best services within Arctic Circle Hiking Area. The River Raudanjoki offers the possibility for boating and canoeing excursions.The location is easy to access at all times of the year.