Finnish winter week on snowshoes

On this trip, you can enjoy the tranquility and untouched nature of Finland on snowshoes. Together, you will explore the fells and forests of southern Lapland on unique hikes through white, glistening snow. On your way, you will cross deep forests, hike up hills, walk along mountain ridges, and over frozen lakes. In between, you can look forward to traditional culinary delights and insights into Finnish Lapland culture.

Finnish winter week on snowshoes: The itinerary

Day 1: Arrival
Upon arrival at Oulu airport or bus/train station, your guide will be waiting to take you on an approx. two-hour drive to your accommodation in Syöte National Park. On this occasion, you can already get familiar with your new surroundings and look out the window at the passing nature. Once you reach the accommodation, you can make yourself comfortable in the cozy rooms and meet the rest of the group over a welcome dinner. This will be followed by a short briefing with an equipment check, and you will receive important information about Syöte National Park, maps, and the planned program for this week.

Day 2: The first snowshoe hike
After a Finnish breakfast with local specialties, you strap on your snowshoes to go on your first tour. You start directly at your accommodation and hike through an old spruce forest. At lunchtime, you will find yourself in a wooden shelter on the shore of a frozen lake for a delicious picnic. Afterwards, you will continue uphill until you are offered a unique view over the Syöte National Park. Finally, after a few more ascents and descents, another snack awaits you at the Riihitupa day hut before you hike through a bog area back to your accommodation. Once there, you can recover from your tour, relax in the sauna, and enjoy a hearty dinner. The distance covered on this day is about 11 km (7 hours).

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Day 3: Knowledge & Hiking
The day starts again with a hearty breakfast before you leave for the Syöte National Park Visitor Center, where you will look at a guided exhibition. After that, it's finally time for the next snowshoe hike! As you walk through forests and over hills, you will get great views of the surrounding area and its beautiful lakes. Afterwards, you will enjoy a well-deserved lunch around an open fire before it is time to continue your way through snow-covered spruce forests. When you reach a lonely wilderness hut, you can warm yourself by a fire and rest for a short while. You will then make your way back to the Visitor Center. Finally, you will be taken to your accommodation to end the day with dinner, sauna, and some quiet moments during a short mindfulness exercise together. In total, this day will cover about 8 km in 7 hours (including breaks).

Day 4: The northeast of Syöte National Park
After breakfast, you will go to the northeastern part of Syöte National Park. There, you will hike on snowshoes through forests, past small frozen ponds, and across large ice-covered bogs until you reach the highest point of the area. Lunch will be served in a shelter in the middle of the wilderness. Afterwards, make your way to the car to return to your lodging. The hike on the fourth day is about 10 km (8 hours, including breaks).

Day 5: Visit to Pentik House
As every morning, you will have a nutritious breakfast before heading out on the tour for the day. Today, a 1.5-hour transfer will take you to your starting point for the snowshoe hike. On the way, you will visit the Pentik House, the northernmost ceramics factory in the world. You are welcome to look around, buy sustainable souvenirs, and take a coffee break. Then, your transport continues to Riisitunturi National Park. Once there, you will hike up a fell to get a beautiful view of the winter landscape that surrounds you. After a short visit to the top, you will return by car to your accommodation to enjoy the sauna and dinner. The length of the hike is about 9 km in 5 hours (including breaks).


Day 6: Rytivaara Crown Forest Farm
After breakfast, you will hike over various terrain, up hills and down again, and over the ice layer of swamps and lakes. Besides, you will visit Rytivaara Crown Forest Farm, which was built in the 19th century. At the end of the hike, you will be driven to your accommodation by car so that you can strengthen yourself at dinner. The walking distance today is about 10 km in 6 hours (including breaks) on a circular route.

Day 7: Hikes around Kaunislampi
After breakfast, you will head to Lake Kaunislampi, about an hour away. Together, you will hike on your snowshoes around its enchanting shore before heading across its frozen surface to a wooden shelter on the south side. There, you will stop for lunch at the end of the hike. To conclude the tour, a farewell dinner will be held in the evening. Today's hike is on a circular route and takes about 8 km in 4 hours (including breaks).

Day 8: Departure
Today, unfortunately, the last breakfast in dreamlike Finland awaits you. Afterwards, you will pack your bags and be taken to the airport or bus/train station in Oulu. With you in your luggage are many beautiful memories of an unforgettable time. As an alternative to Oulu, you can also arrive and depart via Kuusamo Airport for an additional charge.

The tour service starts with pick-up and dinner on the first day and ends with breakfast and transfer back to Oulu on the last day.

Accommodation:
You will stay in the twin rooms of Taigalampi cabin, which is located in the Syöte hiking area. The cabin has a well-equipped kitchen and a large living room for eating and socialising. It also has its own sauna and a terrace for cooling off. In addition to three toilets and a utility room with washing machine, drying cabinet and drying machine, there are 8 bedrooms in the house. Two of them are 3-room-apartments with their own toilets and showers. You will also find a two-bedroom separate compartment. For a fee, you can book a single room in the cabin. Enjoy your time in this authentic cabin and relax by the fireplace. With floor heating, internet connection and TV, you should want for northing during your time in the north. Please note that all rooms (incl. bathrooms) are shared except for the bedrooms. The Syöte trail network is just 100 meters from the cabin.

It may be that the stay does not take place in Taigalampi cabin but in another, similar cabin. It is also possile to stay in the KIDE Hotel for an extra charge. Please contact us if you are interested.

For a fee, you can rent winter clothing and equipment for polar temperatures. Just let us know about this.

All participants should take out their own insurance for outdoor activities in Finland and in arctic weather conditions.
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