Arctic Nature
Summer in Lapland is a season like no other – there are endless white nights and peaceful arctic nature as far as the eye can see. Summer's glow is followed by the majestic season of fall when Lapland gets its truly iconic 'ruska' colors. This is the best season to go for a hike in one of Lapland's many national parks. It is meditation and mindfullness all wrapped in one in one of the world's most unique and breath-taking sceneries. And don't forget the best and purest air and water this planet has to offer
Getting there:
Flights & Trains
Arrival: international flights to Oulu via Helsinki Airport
Departure: international flights from Kuusamo Airport via Helsinki Airport
Direct train from Helsinki to Oulu – 5 hours 40 minutes
Route can be done either way: flight to Kuusamo, departure from Oulu
Suggested travel between Oulu & Kuusamo by car
Car hire services from Oulu & drop off in Kuusamo – Hertz, Avis, Budget and Europcar
Oulu to Syöte – 2 hours by car
Syöte to Posio – 1 hour 20 minutes by car
Posio to Ruka-Kuusamo - 1 hour by car
Bus services
Syöte
Posio
Ruka-Kuusamo
Day 1
Arrival in Oulu, transfer to Syöte, 2 hours drive. Bus travel to Syöte is 2 hours 50 minutes by Syöte express bus
Syöte is located in the municipality of Pudasjärvi and is the southernmost fell area in Finland with two ski resorts and a national park
Suggested accommodation Hotel Iso-Syöte, a new boutique hotel with unique and exclusive design and decor, offering customized luxury and personalized services and facilities. The first bike hotel in Lapland, Finland. Rental from the hotel, sauna and relax in the arctic Spa
Dine Restaurant Hilltop
Day 2
Syöte National Park was established 2000 in order to protect the valuable natural features of the wooded hills. In the deep wilderness of the national park, many threatened species, such as the Siberian flying squirrel have a chance to thrive. The surrounding Syöte National Park is providing great mountain bike trails – easy to rent from the hotel .with
Activities customized services for cyclists, 7-9 hour escorted e-biking & hiking trip, hiking in the national park -122 km of marked hiking trails
Approx. 1 hour drive to Posio
The picturesque town of Posio is the first destination awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland certification
Recommended accommodation Naali Lodge nestled in a pine forest and surrounded by a lakes, national parks and vast forests
Dine Tapio Restaurant
Day 3
Head into Posio town to discover Pentik Hill Culture Centre which has received both Green Key and Sustainable Travel Finland labels. The centre also has museums, a factory shop for unique Pentik ceramics, and the International Coffee Cup Museum. Anu Pentik Gallery – located in the town centre in an 8 metre high building of broken ceramics introduction to the famous artist and creator of Pentik ceramics.
Lunch in The café on The Pentik Hill
Explore Korouoma canyon – A nature reserve & Canyon over a million years old. 30 km hiking trail offers the perfect opportunity for bird watching, nature photography and recreational angling. Suggested hiking
Day 4
Riisitunturi National Park is a breathtaking hiking destination all year round
Drive to Ruka Kuusamo, approx. 1 hour
Ruka-Kuusamo is full of authentic experiences. Pure waters, clean air and lush forests invite you to get overwhelmed by the mystical light of the summer nights and the calming silence of the nature
Visit Kujala Reindeer Farm – one of the biggest and oldest reindeer farms in Kuusaamo
Recommended accommodation
Luxury Villa Vuossel - Magical Pond
Family run Isokenkäisten Klubi, IKK
Holiday Cottage Rentals and Resorts Rukako Oy Holiday Club Kuusamon Tropiikki Rukan Salonki Chalets
Day 5
Suggested organised tours in Ruka-Kuusamo
Taste of Finnish nature a 4 hour taster to learn how Finns connect with nature - *Adventure Apes
Guided Stand up paddle boarding SUP adventure *Outdoor Passion
Bear watching - meet the king of the forest
Nature Being – Forest Therapy Walk *MyTrail
Dine in Pohjanseita Wilderness Restaurant – take part in an open dinner evening *Rukapalvelu
Day 6
Sauna tour
If you want to understand Finland and its people, getting familiar with sauna is a good starting point. Having a sauna can mean anything from a quick 10-minute steam session to a social event lasting several hours. Welcome you to enjoy the Finnish sauna culture in Ruka-Kuusamo Sauna tour
Departure by air from Kuusamo Airport or by bus to Oulu
