Top activities for the active and adventurous in Finland
Finland is a paradise on earth for outdoorsy and adventurous campervanners. This beautiful northern country offers up a smorgasbord of experiences all year round, from light adventure tours and activities to more extreme options for the experienced thrill seeker.
We’ve rounded up some of Finland’s top adventure activities for all of you intrepid RV travellers.
Take a snowmobile tour to Santa Claus Village
Starting from Rovaniemi, you’ll get the chance to ride on a snowmobile through some of the country’s most beautiful forest trails along the Arctic Circle. Later, you’ll stop at a local reindeer farm and have the option to partake in a traditional Shaman ceremony inside a ‘kota’, a Lappish teepee. After the day of adventure, the tour finishes with a visit to the Santa Claus Village, where you can do a spot of shopping, check out the post office, and even meet the man himself.
Snowmobile tours are a common activity all over Finland, and there are other tours that give you a slightly different experience depending on what you’re after. Want something a bit more adventurous? Lead your own team of huskies on a two-day guided snowmobile adventure in Yllas, western Lapland, or choose your own experience and rent your own snowmobile from one of the many rental companies.
Climb the Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls
Image: Timo Newton-Syms (own work), (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
Anyone with a decent level of fitness can take part in this incredible day trip to the Korouoma frozen waterfalls in Posio, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of ice climbing from experienced guides. The area is a 30-kilometre long fracture valley, where a number of waterfalls freeze over during the winter to create incredible ice formations that burst with light and colour.
The ice falls in this area are up to 60 metres high, and you’ll get the chance to use your ice axe and crampons to climb them.
Hunt for the Aurora Borealis in Pallas-Yllas National Park
Seeing the aurora borealis (northern lights) up close is one of the most magical experiences you’ll encounter in Finland. Between September and March, the lights come out to play usually on every other night - provided there are clear skies. You’re more likely to spot them the further north you are, and Pallas-Yllas National Park is one of the best places to go hunting for this natural phenomenon. The park is about a 40-minute drive from Levi, the nearest town. You can take a tour out to the park with a wilderness guide who’ll take you on a short hike before stopping for a hot drink and sausages by a campfire.
You can also take northern lights tours by snowmobile, or join specialised photography tours where you can capture the lights under the guidance of a professional photographer. Trust us, though - they are far better in real life, so make sure you take it all in.
Cycle the Archipelago Trail
The Archipelago Trail is a lengthy network of trails that traverse the 20,000 islands of the Turku archipelago. Exploring this area by bike allows you to truly appreciate the magic of the region, with its cute red boat sheds, wildlife and changing landscapes. Hire a campervan in Helsinki and drive approximately two hours west to Turku, where you switch your motorhome for pedal power.
The best time to cycle the trail is during summer when the weather is temperate, and the shops and museums are open for you to stop off and explore along your route. You can opt to complete the entire 200 kilometres of the trail, or complete a smaller section of it if pushed for time.
Kayak or fish in Linnansaari National Park
Image: Sino Yu (own work), (CC BY 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons
If you prefer watery adventures, a kayaking trip in Linnansaari National Park might be more suited to your taste. This park, a couple of hours’ drive from Kuopio, boasts some of the most beautiful lake scenery in Finland and is home to the Saimaa ringed seal, which you might be lucky enough to spot as you make your way through the park.
Take a tent and camping gear with you for a multi-day kayaking adventure. The park is 40 kilometres from end to end, so allow about a week to traverse the whole area, and stay the night at any of the many marked campsites. It’s possible to rent your own kayaks from one of the local operators or take a guided tour if you’re new to the experience.
There are also plenty of other water activities to enjoy in Linnansaari, including fishing, canoeing and boating.
Hike the “Bear Trail”
Image: Heather Sunderland (own work), (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
Due to its abundance of picturesque, remote wilderness areas, Finland is an ideal hiking destination, offering a variety of short and multi-day hikes to suit adventurers of all fitness levels and itineraries. The Karhunkierros Hiking Trail, otherwise known as the “Bear Trail”, is an 82-kilometre hike. You can choose to park your motorhome at the beginning of the trail at Hautajarvi and complete the entire distance, or start somewhere in the middle and walk a smaller section.
The trail is best trodden between June and October, and there are campgrounds and huts along the way where you can stay. Some highlights of the track include the Jyrava Waterfall, Oulanka Canyon, the Kitkajoki river and the Kiutakongas Rapids.
What are you waiting for? Start planning your Finland motorhome adventure today.
Written By: Kristof Haines
It’s funny how motorhome memories stick with you. I can still recall a motorhome vacation my family took when I was five years old and how awesome I thought I was, tucked away in a loft bed above the cab. From revealing unique destinations to providing tips and tricks, it’s my mission to help others build great motorhome memories too.
It’s funny how motorhome memories stick with you. I can still recall a motorhome vacation my family took when I was five years old and how awesome I thought I was, tucked away in a loft bed above the cab. From revealing unique destinations to providing tips and tricks, it’s my mission to help others build great motorhome memories too.
