Riisitunturi National Park

One of the most beautiful national parks in Lapland is Riisitunturi National Park, which is about 30 minutes from Posio and 35 minutes from Ruka. In winter, the spruce trees are completely covered in snow and ice, which gives the landscape a very special charm.

On a hike along the Riisin Rääpäsy Trail (approx. 4.3 km), you can experience the breathtaking scenery and take beautiful photos. We visited the park once during the day and once at sunset. You should plan 2 to 2.5 hours for this leisurely hike.

Information about the Riisin Rääpäsy hiking trail:

• Start & Destination: Parking lot at Wilderness Cafe Tykky
• Length: 4.3 kilometers
• Duration: 2 to 3 hours (depending on the length of the stops)
• Infrastructure: Dry toilets, rest areas, fire pits including wood
• Refreshments: Wilderness Cafe Tykky
• Information: Complete hiking route here

Oulanka National Park

At the top of our to-do list was a hike in Oulanka National Park, one of the most popular and most visited national parks in Finland. In winter, the 12 km long Pieni Karhunkierros Trail (“Little Bear Trail”) is popular with tourists. This circular trail leads through the picturesque landscape of the southern part of the national park.

• Start & Destination: Oulanka Base Camp or parking lot near Juuma
• Length: 12 kilometers (we tracked 14 km)
• Duration: 5 to 6 hours (depending on the length of the breaks)
• Infrastructure: Dry toilets, rest areas, fire pits including wood
• Refreshments: Oulanka Base Camp
• Information: Complete hiking route here

You cross several suspension bridges along the way and pass great viewpoints. It goes up and down, partly over Steep steps. In winter, you should wear either spikes or snowshoes to get over the icy sections without any problems.

On this hike, you will also pass beautiful rest areas and fire pits. So be sure to bring some provisions for a small BBQ. It took us about 5 hours for the round trip (counterclockwise!!!).

Pentik Ceramics in Posio

In Lapland, a lot of ceramics are produced by the Pentik company. The family business has already Founded in 1971, it currently employs over 300 people. The factory, located in Posio, produces over 1 million ceramic products annually.

The ceramic creations usually have a connection to the nature of Lapland and the proximity of the Arctic Circle. In addition to the factory, Posio also houses the Anu Pentik Gallery, the Pentik Home Museum, a lovely shop for browsing, and the Pentik Hill Café.

• Opening hours: Mon. – Fri. 10 am to 5 pm | Sat. – Sun. 10 am to 4 pm
• Gallery opening hours: Mon. – Sun. 10 am to 4 pm
• Museum entrance: free

The best Lapland activities in winter

A successful winter holiday in Lapland naturally includes some cool activities. Whether snowshoeing, husky sledding, hunting for the Northern Lights, or snowmobiling – Lapland offers plenty of adventures in winter.

No matter which activities you ultimately choose, a winter holiday in Lapland promises unforgettable experiences in breathtaking surroundings.

Skiing and snowboarding

Finnish Lapland may not have any super-high mountains, but you can still snowboard and ski here. The popular Ruka winter sports area lies at an altitude of 291 to 492 m and offers slopes for all levels of difficulty. From October to June, you can whizz down the 34 slopes and use the 22 lifts and cable cars.

In the town center, you’ll find numerous restaurants, shops, supermarkets, and accommodations. Ruka is also a popular starting point for numerous activities within the region. You can, of course, easily rent the necessary equipment locally (e.g., at Intersport, Piste & Hill Ski Rent).

Our tips for Ruka

• Delicious burgers at Rouk Burger
• Coffee and cake at Ruka Trek & Hard Trek Café
• Nightcap at the Heineken Polar Bar
• Snowshoe hike on the Valtavaara Winter Trail
• Hike on the Small Bear Trail in Oulanka National Park
• Sunset in Riisitunturi National Park

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Cross-country skiing in Lapland

In Finnish Lapland, you will find countless cross-country ski trails, some of which lead through the most beautiful winter landscapes (e.g., Levi, Ylläs). We took a relaxing tour from Himmerki to Kirikeskus and back (2 hours) near our accommodation in Posio.

The trail leads past frozen lakes and snow-covered forests. At the Wilderness Hotel Kirikeskus, you can take a leisurely break with coffee and cake before returning to Himmerki.

Our tip: At the reception of the Lomakeskus accommodation At Himmerki, you can rent cross-country skis, poles, and boots for just €15 per day. They also rent snowshoes (€10) and fat bikes (from €25).

Hiking in Finnish Lapland

The landscape in Finnish Lapland is beautiful and invites you to take a variety of hikes. We were recommended the Valtavaara Winter Trail (approx. 5 km) near Ruka, which is said to offer great views. We can also recommend the Riisin Rääpäsy Trail (approx. 4.3 km) in Riisitunturi National Park or the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail (approx. 12 km) in Oulanka National Park.

Hikes at sunset are especially beautiful. When hiking in winter, you should wear winter hiking boots and, if necessary, use spikes or snowshoes (depending on the snow and ice conditions). Also pack some snacks for the grill. In the parks, there are always spacious fire pits, wood, and benches for a small BBQ. Highly recommended!

Sauna like the Finns

In Finland, the sauna is not just any place to relax, but also a social meeting place. Sauna is an important part of the Finnish lifestyle and is enjoyed by people of all ages. After a sauna session, it is customary to cool off.

Here, people either go into an ice hole in the lake, take a cold shower, or simply lie down for a while in the snow. Of course, we didn’t want to miss out on such an experience, so we booked a really cool tour*.

We drove about 40 minutes north from Rovaniemi. A private and traditional sauna was waiting for us right on a lake. That evening, we could see the beautiful starry sky, including the Milky Way.

And as if that wasn’t beautiful enough, we were also greeted by some northern lights. While we sweated in the sauna, colorful lights danced from left to right on the horizon. Simply fantastic!

Dog Sledding

How about an exciting husky sled tour through snowy forests and across frozen lakes? You can either steer the sled yourself or sit back and enjoy the ride. There are numerous husky farms throughout the region offering various tours. The further you get away from Rovaniemi, the more beautiful the landscapes become and the less touristy the options become.

We recommend the Kitka Zen Tour with O’Nordic (100% recommendation). Not only will you get to know these beautiful dogs up close, but you’ll also drive the sled independently after a thorough introduction. Following the approximately 3-hour tour, there’s a small BBQ around the campfire in a traditional kota. For us, it was one of the most beautiful experiences of our entire Lapland trip! ☞ BOOK THE TOUR HERE.

Visit a Reindeer Farm

Did you know that there are more reindeer than people in Lapland? However, they don’t live wild in nature; they all belong to someone. While most of the animals enjoy a kind of “all-inclusive holiday” on their farm in winter, they are out in the pastures and forests in summer.

There are an estimated 200,000 reindeer in Lapland and only 185,000 inhabitants. Crazy, right? Reindeer are also the only deer species that has been domesticated. You can experience these beautiful animals up close by visiting one of the many reindeer farms.

We can recommend the Kujala Reindeer Farm in Kuusamo. Here, 1-hour farm visits (€25 per person) are offered, where you’ll learn more about the farm and its animals. You’ll also get up close to the animals, as you can feed them their favorite snack (a special type of mushroom).

Afterward, you can warm up in the small café. Sleigh rides and walks are also offered. ☞ BOOK YOUR TRIP HERE.

Snowmobiling

In winter, Finns love to ride snowmobiles across frozen lakes and through snowy forests. We also tried this adventure and booked a guided snowmobile tour. The tour started opposite Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. We were first given overalls, helmets, shoes, and gloves before receiving a detailed introduction from our guide.

With another pair, we then drove for about 1.5 hours through the winter landscape around Rovaniemi. While the Finns themselves like to drive at 120 km/h and faster, we “raced” along at a leisurely 30 km/h . Important to know: You can only drive a snowmobile if you have a driver’s license. Marco and I took turns driving. ☞ Book our cool snowmobile tour* here.

Other offers:

• Rovaniemi: Guided snowmobile ride through the wilderness*
• Rovaniemi: Snowmobile safari into the wilderness with lunch*
• Northern Lights snowmobile safari in Rovaniemi*

Snowshoe hike

We love hiking and have also done a few tours in Lapland. A snowshoe hike through Riisitunturi National Park (Riisin Rääpäsy Trail) or Oulanka National Park (Pieni Karhunkierros Trail) is highly recommended. You can rent snowshoes at any sports shop in Rovaniemi, Kuusamo, or Ruka (€10–25 per day). You can also take guided tours if you don’t want to hike alone and also need a transfer.

• Snowshoeing in Riisitunturi National Park*
• Snowshoeing in Oulanka National Park*
• From Rovaniemi: Snowshoe Adventure in the Wilderness*
• Snowshoeing in the Lapland Wilderness from Rovaniemi*
• 1000 Stars Evening Snowshoeing in Riisitunturi National Park*

Ice Floating in the Lake

Would you like to try something really crazy? How about an ice floating adventure on a lake away from the city? We drove to a remote location outside of Rovaniemi, where we could already see a frozen lake in the distance. There, we were given high-quality survival swimsuits and a safety briefing, and then we were ready to go.

We lay down in the 0-degree water and just floated. It was a totally crazy feeling of weightlessness. Unfortunately, it was very cloudy that evening, so we couldn’t see any stars or the Northern Lights. But that didn’t dampen our spirits, because floating in the lake was still pretty cool.

Afterwards, we enjoyed the evening in a traditional kota with a cozy fire, delicious cookies, marshmallows, and hot berry juice. There were only four of us, which made the whole trip even more enjoyable. We can definitely recommend this tour.

Ice Fishing & Ice Climbing

Popular activities in Finnish Lapland are ice climbing and ice fishing. We watched brave climbers in Korouoma Canyon hanging from frozen waterfalls and making their way to the top. That was pretty cool!

On the countless frozen lakes in Lapland, we’ve occasionally seen people trying out ice fishing. We haven’t tried either activity personally, but we’ve picked out a few options for you below.

• Ice Climbing in the Korouoma Canyon from Rovaniemi*
• Rovaniemi: Ice Fishing on a Frozen Lake*
• Lapland: Hiking, Ice Fishing, Floating & Barbecue in the snow*
• Levi: Ice fishing with a snowmobile*

Observing the Northern Lights in Lapland

Who doesn’t dream of experiencing the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, up close once in their life? In Finnish Lapland you have a very good chance of marveling at this colorful spectacle in the night sky.

Best time & Locations for the Northern Lights

As mentioned at the beginning, the best time to see the Northern Lights is from September to March, when the nights are longer and the skies are darker. To do this, you should choose a location with little light pollution. This is best done away from cities with lots of bright lights.

Since Lapland offers plenty of remote locations with little light pollution, you’ll quickly find them. Be sure to check the weather forecast beforehand, as clouds can severely impair visibility. Clear nights are, of course, best.

We’ve been told that the best hours to see the Northern Lights are usually between 9:00 PM and 2:00 AM. However, Northern Lights activity varies, so keep an eye out for forecasts and local indicators. We recommend the two apps “Aurora” and “Polar Lights.” You should also follow Lorenzo Mirandola’s Instagram channel. He posts news about Northern Lights activity almost daily.

It can get very cold, especially in the evenings and at night. If you’re going to hunt the Northern Lights, you should dress warmly. Pack foot warmers* and hand warmers*, as well as a bottle of tea. Be sure to use a tripod* when taking photos to avoid camera shake. Your camera should also support long exposures.

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Camera Settings

Use your camera’s manual mode (M) for full control over shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity. Choose a wide aperture to capture more light and highlight the Northern Lights.

An aperture of f/2.8 or even lower is ideal if your lens allows it. To capture the Northern Lights, you need long exposure times. It’s best to start with 5 seconds and adjust the time accordingly if it’s not enough (10 to 30 seconds).

Start with a low ISO setting to minimize image noise. An ISO of 400 to 800 is often a good starting point. If necessary, you can increase the ISO sensitivity to capture even more light.

Always remember, however, that higher ISO values can lead to more image noise. You can find more information on this topic here: Our best tips for photography beginners.

Set the focus manually, as autofocus often fails in low light. Focus on a point in the sky that’s far enough away (e.g., a star) to capture the Northern Lights clearly. You can also focus on infinity to ensure the Northern Lights are sharp.

If possible, you should also shoot in RAW format to give you even more options during post-processing.

As already mentioned, use a stable tripod to avoid camera shake, especially with longer exposure times. A remote shutter release or your camera’s self-timer can also be helpful to minimize camera shake caused by pressing the shutter button.

We have been using the Rollei Compact Traveler Tripod* for several years now; it is light, compact, and very handy. You can simply fold it up and put it in your backpack.

The Right Clothing for Lapland

If you want to travel to Lapland in winter, you should have the right clothing in your luggage. You can leave jeans, sneakers, dresses, skirts, and the like at home in the closet. At temperatures between -5°C and -30°C, you’ll need thick wool socks, thermal underwear, fleece jackets, gloves, and a hat. The magic word is: the layering principle. On this trip, we once again realized how important good, functional clothing is. Invest more money in merino wool clothing. We can confidently tell you that it’s worth every cent. For 10 days, we each managed perfectly with two long and two short merino shirts each. The material feels comfortable on the skin, dries quickly, and doesn’t smell of sweat for days. This way, you don’t have to pack eight T-shirts, saving you a lot of space in your suitcase.

Start with a moisture-wicking layer of functional underwear (merino wool!!!), followed by one (or two) insulating layers like fleece or wool, and finally a lined, waterproof, and windproof outer layer.

I (Bolle) brought my ski pants and snowboard jacket, which were sufficient for this trip. Of course, the right shoes are also important in these low temperatures. Wear insulated, waterproof shoes with non-slip soles to keep your feet warm and dry.

We each brought a pair of thin gloves and a pair of thick gloves (always worn together). Of course, hats, tube scarves, and sunglasses were also essential. For the particularly cold days, we used hand warmers* and insole warmers*.

Since I struggle with very dry skin in winter, I always use Weleda’s Cold Cream*. It’s oil-based and doesn’t dry out the skin even further.

Package tour or independent tour?

Some followers asked us on Instagram whether you can plan and book a trip to Lapland individually or whether you should use a tour operator. Our answer: You can easily organize and book it yourself. However, if you don’t feel like planning and booking such a trip yourself, you can check out Lapland trips with Journaway*.

We recommend booking your accommodation, rental car, and most activities in advance. Depending on the region (especially around Rovaniemi), many great and unique accommodations, such as glass igloos, can book up quickly. If you would like to take a specific tour on a specific day, you should also book this tour in advance.

We use the following providers:

• Flights: Eurowings*, Lufthansa*
• Rental cars: billiger-mietwagen.de*
• Accommodations: booking.com*, Airbnb
• Equipment: Decathlon*, Globetrotter*
• Tours: GetYourGuide*, Manawa*
• Travel credit cards: DKB*, Hanseatic*, AMEX*

Conclusion of the winter holiday in Lapland

This winter holiday in Lapland was unique and will remain forever unforgettable. This trip is one of the most beautiful trips we have ever taken. If you want to experience a truly special winter, we highly recommend Finnish Lapland.

The snowy and icy landscapes are an absolute dream, and the people are incredibly friendly. Not to mention the many extraordinary adventures you can experience here. It was certainly not our last trip to this region!