When Salla Nationwide Park in jap Lapland was established in early 2022, it was the forty first nationwide park to open in Finland – not dangerous for a rustic of simply 5.5 million individuals! Overlaying greater than 10,000 sq km of the nation’s landmass, these parks are Finland’s nationwide patrimony, locations of extraordinary pure magnificence whose pristine landscapes and various ecosystems are proudly protected for the advantage of all.
Positioned in each a part of the nation, with the most important and wildest reserves edging into the Arctic Circle in Lapland, the parks vary from dense primeval forests to rugged fells, complicated lake techniques and coastal archipelagos.
All are effectively arrange for lively exploration, and are liked by guests and locals for his or her mountaineering, snowboarding, biking, kayaking and tenting alternatives. The variety of native and worldwide guests having fun with their manifold sights is growing every year – luckily, crowds are simple to keep away from when you go to exterior of nationwide vacation intervals.
That can assist you select from all these gorgeous reserves, this is our information to the perfect nationwide parks in Finland.
Lemmenjoki Nationwide Park, Northern Lapland
Finest for fall colours
Finland’s largest national park is a real wilderness situated within the homeland of the indigenous Sámi individuals. It incorporates the scenic Lemmenjoki River Valley, which could be explored on quite a lot of marked mountaineering trails. The 4.5km (2.8-mile) Lemmenjoki Nature Path makes its method by means of old-growth pine forest, whereas the 22km (13.7-mile) Lemmenjoki Riverside Path incorporates cable-boat crossings over the river. There are lots of different hikes, cross-country ski trails and canoe routes to take pleasure in within the park.
Visiting Lemmenjoki Nationwide Park: The park is situated round 50km (31 miles) southwest of Inari. The most effective time to go to is September, when the ruska-aika (coloring of the autumn leaves) could be considered in all of its splendor – and when mosquitos and midges are blessedly absent. Most mountaineering trails begin on the Njurkulahti and Repojoki parking areas; the mountaineering trails aren’t open in winter, however you’ll be able to observe the ski path as a substitute.
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Linnansaari Nationwide Park, Lakeland
Finest kayaking and canoeing
Essentially the most satisfying method to discover this park in Finland’s stunningly scenic lake district is by canoe or kayak. Whereas paddling on the 562 sq km (217 sq mile) expanse of Haukivesi Lake chances are you’ll spot a powerful vary of wildlife, together with ospreys and the endangered Saimaa ringed seal. The waters are dotted with tons of of uninhabited islands the place you’ll be able to forage for bilberries and edible mushrooms, and the most important island, Linnansaari, could be explored on a collection of mountaineering trails and a 2km (1.2-mile) nature path. In winter, a well-maintained 18km (11-mile) ice observe between Oravi and Porosalmi delights touring skaters, and there’s additionally a observe for cross-country snowboarding. Tools for each actions could be employed at both finish of the tracks.
Visiting Linnansaari Nationwide Park: The park is situated east of Freeway 5 and south of Kuopio, and its major entry factors are Oravi and Porosalmi. A each day ferry service takes day-trippers from each cities to Linnansaari Island throughout excessive summer season (June to August). Taxi boats can be found for constitution at different instances of the 12 months. Longer lake cruises set off from the close by historic city of Savonlinna in summer season.
Ekenäs Archipelago Nationwide Park, South Coast
Finest for diving
A watery wonderland situated near the place the Gulf of Finland merges with the Åland Sea, this island park is a massively widespread summer season vacation spot. Scattered over the archipelago’s calm seas are some 1300 forested islands which might be wealthy with birdlife together with white-tailed eagles and customary eider. Kayaking is a well-liked exercise right here, as is scuba diving; native operators can prepare journeys for licensed divers.
A few of the extra ecologically fragile islands are off-limits to guests however others supply a spread of mountaineering choices for outdoorsy sorts. The preferred of those is the 2km (1.2-mile) nature path on the island of Älgö, which heads up hilly terrain to an commentary tower providing spectacular sea views.
Visiting Ekenäs Archipelago Nationwide Park: The park can solely be accessed by boat. Boat and kayak excursions depart frequently through the summer season months from the harbor at Ekenäs, about 100km (62 miles) southwest of Helsinki. Water taxis are additionally obtainable for constitution. If in case you have expertise of sea paddling, you’ll be able to entry the archipelago independently by kayak; there are many mooring spots on the islands.
Campgrounds on the islands of Älgö, Fladalandet, Jussarö and Modermagan supply respectable amenities, and there’s a summer-only hostel and café on Jussarö. The most effective instances to go to are spring, when arctic migratory birds could be noticed, and in summer season, when kayaking, swimming and diving are widespread.
Oulanka Nationwide Park, Koillismaa
Finest for viewing natural world
Dwelling to the famend Karhunkierros Hiking Trail (aka The Bear’s Ring), this 27,000-hectare park stretches alongside the Russian border and incorporates river rapids, waterfalls and boreal forest made up of pine, birch and spruce. Regardless of its title, the Karhunkierros Path isn’t one circuit, however somewhat a point-to-point hike of something from 52km (32 miles, from Ristikallio to Juuma) to 82km (51 miles, from Hautajärvi to Ruka).
Greater than 400 protected species of natural world dwell within the park, together with the calypso orchid. Look out for considerable chook species, together with white-tailed eagles, white-throated dippers, black kites and gray wagtails. Different actions on supply embody canoeing and rafting the rapids of the Oulankajoki River, mountain-biking, forest foraging and cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing on the 26km (16-mile) Oulanka Wilderness Path.
Visiting Oulanka Nationwide Park: The park is situated 200km (124 miles) east of Rovaniemi and 50 km (31 miles) north of Kuusamo, near the Russian border. The trailheads for the Karhunkierros Path are at Hautajärvi, Ristikallio, Ruka ski resort and Juuma, and the route is greatest walked between mid-June and October; the Oulanka Wilderness Path is open from mid-February to April. Birdwatching is greatest in early June.
Nuuksio Nationwide Park, South Coast
Finest for simple day hikes
It is probably not as visually spectacular as different Finnish parks, however Nuuksio is shut sufficient to Helsinki to make it a well-liked day-trip vacation spot for guests to the capital. From its informative nature heart, simple strolling or cross-country ski trails thread by means of wooded valleys that present a habitat for a various array of natural world. There are not any limits on foraging, so in autumn hikes could be accompanied by copious enjoyment of the bilberries and lingonberries that proliferate within the park.
Visiting Nuuksio Nationwide Park: Positioned 35km (22 miles) northwest of Helsinki, Nuuksio can simply be explored by public transport. Bus 245A runs to numerous stops across the park from Espoo Central prepare station, which in flip is served by frequent trains from Helsinki’s major prepare station. This can be a year-round vacation spot, though mountaineering trails are usually not maintained in winter.
Urho Kekkonen Nationwide Park, Northern Lapland
Finest for seeing the Northern Lights
Stretching over an enormous tract of arctic wilderness in Finnish Lapland, this distant park could be explored on skis in winter and on foot or by bike at different instances of the 12 months. Its northerly location makes it a chief spot for viewing the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and recognizing free-grazing reindeer on the fells is just about a given. Mountaineering and cross-country snowboarding right here is extremely rewarding, however heading off marked trails is just for these with wilderness and orienteering expertise, and heavy snow in winter could make for powerful going. There are maintained ski trails and marked mountaineering routes and mountain biking trails within the neighborhood of Saariselkä, Kiilopää and Kakslauttanen.
Visiting Urho Kekkonen Nationwide Park: The park is situated east of the Sodankylä-Ivalo street, 240km (150 miles) north of Rovaniemi and 50km (31 miles) southeast of Ivalo. Think about basing your self in Saariselkä, a ski resort simply north of the park that additionally gives journey actions akin to sled safaris, white-water rafting jaunts and aurora-spotting snowmobile excursions.
The most effective months to see the Northern Lights are March and April, and that is additionally the time when the solar re-emerges after its winter hibernation. Keep away from excessive summer season, when mosquitos and midges are ever-present.
Patvinsuo Nationwide Park, North Karelia
Finest for birdwatching
Intensive wetland areas make Patvinsuo a well-liked birdwatching and strolling vacation spot, and this waterlogged panorama could be explored through a 20km (12-mile) community of boardwalks in addition to infinite miles of marked trails on terra firma.
Birders are drawn right here in springtime, migratory species feed and breed within the wetlands. One of many park’s hottest mountaineering routes, the 25km (15.5-mile) Patvinkierto Path passes a birdwatching tower at Teretinniemi and a birdwatching platform at Lahnasuo. Each are fantastic spots to look at avian life; look out for quite a few species of mire and water birds, gamefowl and birds of prey.
Different mountaineering choices embody the 16km (10-mile) Suomunkierto path that circles Lake Suomunjärvi and the brief Kuusipolku, Lakkapolku and Mäntypolku Path nature trails.
Visiting Patvinsuo Nationwide Park: Near the Russian border, Patvinsuo is accessed through the Joensuu-Lieksa freeway (Nationwide Highway 73). The most effective instances to go to are spring and autumn.
Pallas-Yllästunturi Nationwide Park, Western Lapland
Finest for summer season biking
Think about foraging for ripe cloudberries whereas mountaineering by means of magnificent fell landscapes or biking underneath the midnight solar on lengthy, gently undulating trails. These are simply two of the numerous actions on supply at this 102,000 hectare (252,050 acre) national park – you may as well reap the benefits of well-maintained cross-country snowboarding tracks and marked mountain-biking routes.
The preferred trail within the park hyperlinks Hetta and Pallas – a journey of fifty km (31 miles) – and the observe is appropriate for mountaineering and snowshoeing. It’s not flat; there’s loads of ascending and descending however the vistas of the Lapland fells alongside the best way greater than compensate for aching calf muscle tissue the subsequent day. There’s additionally a cross-country snowboarding observe additional down the slopes. Just be sure you pack for chilly and windy circumstances, as lengthy stretches of the route are absolutely uncovered to the weather.
Visiting Pallas-Yllästunturi Nationwide Park: The park is situated within the fell space between Kolari, Kittilä, Muonio and Enontekiö, south of the Sámi settlement of Hetta. Biking and mountaineering are greatest between late June and September; the perfect time for cross-country snowboarding is mid-March to April, when the Northern Lights will typically illuminate your route. It’s attainable to snowshoe the Hetta and Pallas path from January to April.
Hossa Nationwide Park, Central Finland
Finest for accessible tourism
Based in 2017 to commemorate Finland’s centenary of independence, Hossa boasts an 11,000 hectare (27,180 acre) wilderness panorama showcasing deep lakes, rivers, dense forests and historic rock work. A year-round vacation spot, the park gives quite a few actions together with canoeing, mountain biking, fishing, cross-country snowboarding and mountaineering. A selected spotlight is viewing the prehistoric rock work at Julma-Ölkky and Värikallio.
Lots of the trails within the park are accessible to guests in wheelchairs and amenities embody campfire websites and composting bathrooms which have been constructed to cater to wheelchair customers. The park additionally has fishing and boat jetties tailored for wheelchair customers, and a customer heart the place wheelchair batteries could be recharged and electrical scooters could be employed.
Visiting Hossa Nationwide Park: Hossa is situated 80km south of Kuusamo, a frontier city on the Russian border. The customer heart is on the shore of Lake Öllöri, accessed through Hwy 843.
Koli Nationwide Park, Karelia
Finest for scenic vistas
There’s just one phrase to explain the views on supply on this national park, and that’s magnificent. The slopes of the Mäkrävaara, Paimenenvaara, Pieni-Koli, Jauholanvaara, Hirvivaara and Ukko-Koli hills are steep, however climbing to the hilltops is completely well worth the effort. When you solely have the time or vitality for one ascent, make it Ukko-Koli, which could be climbed through a brief, steep stairway or a 0.8km (0.5-mile) accessible observe.
On the prime, you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping vista over Lake Pielinen – one of the vital spectacular sights in Finland. Guests who want to discover on skis somewhat than on foot can take pleasure in downhill snowboarding at Ukko-Koli, dwelling to a 230m (755ft) vertical drop that’s the most demanding ski run in southern Finland.
Visiting Koli Nationwide Park: Koli is situated east of Hwy 6 on the western shore of Lake Pielinen. Go in summer season for mountaineering and in winter for snowboarding.
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