It is the largest, least populated and most northerly region of Finland. The magnificent nature of Lapland is enchanting. In the heart of the taiga, Kuusamo is known for its ski resort and dog sledding, but much less as a summer destination. However, Lapland in the summer is great too. It is the ideal season to enjoy lakes, hiking and other outdoor sports in natural parks, to savor a Finnish sauna after a swim in a lake, to discover Lapland's rich gastronomy, to stay in hotels and other unusual cottages. So why choose Lapland for your next summer vacation? Here are at least 5 good reasons.
Admire the nature and the midnight sun of Ruka-Kuusamo
Ruka-Kuusamo is an ideal spot to enjoy the northern and arctic wonders of Lapland in the summertime, immersed in a magnificent wilderness. The area lends itself to all kinds of outdoor sports, especially mountain biking, with the magnificent routes of the Ruka Bike Park. And why not take on the local swimmers in the Downhill Swim (24 km) at Oulanka National Park on July 22-24, 2022? Hiking, canoeing, fishing, golfing... there is no shortage of activities and the days are longer to enjoy them!
You will be amazed by the famous "midnight sun", the most emblematic natural phenomenon of the country. It is the night without night or polar day. From May to the beginning of August, there are 4 months of non-stop nights as clear as day. The magic of the midnight sun in Lapland is the moment when the sun dips slightly below the horizon before reappearing for a new race. To be experienced in a chalet on a mountain from where you can contemplate the immense wilderness with a succession of yellows, oranges, pinks or mauves. The white nights of Lapland are also an opportunity to attend one of the many music festivals scheduled in summer
Discover the 5 national parks of Lapland
Although there are many more national parks in the south of the country, the 5 parks of Lapland, the largest in Finland, are superior in size. They offer an idyllic setting for many outdoor activities: hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, rafting, wetsuits and bear watching! Sportsmen and naturalists alike will find plenty to do. Even less trained hikers can venture out, the trails are easy, well marked and punctuated with teepees, day cabins, campfire areas, everything you need to live an adventure in total immersion in nature. Unforgettable! The primary forest and a succession of hills make up an endearing natural landscape and a unique environment for family hiking
Experience the Finnish sauna by the lake
Relaxation and wellness are the order of the day. Sit in your log cabin, facing the lake. Rejuvenate with long, refreshing swims in a peaceful lake before treating yourself to a sauna in your accommodation's private spa area. You can also share sauna evenings with the locals and learn about the local custom of whipping yourself to invigorate and improve blood circulation. You will be amazed at the benefits of a birch branch whip. On another note, from the beginning of June to the end of September, sign up for a very original, enjoyable and beneficial 3-hour SUP boarding session on Lake Rukajärvi , which ends with a hot sauna and a relaxing yoga session
Enjoy the Finnish gastronomy in a natural way
The variety and quality of restaurants is another pleasure of your stay in the Ruka-Kuusamo area. You will enjoy the experience of traditional local and wild cuisine with reindeer meat, fresh fish, wild berries and seasonal mushrooms. You will be seduced by the traditional Finnish buffet with dried reindeer. The chefs cook divinely well the root vegetables and the berries and mushrooms of the local harvest and especially the typical berry of the region, the arctic blackberry, as a small orange raspberry rich in vitamins C and E of typical and delicious flavor. Reindeer meat is an unavoidable specialty. It is cooked in stew or simply fried in butter. In all restaurants you can find Poronkäristys, the traditional Lappish dish, a reindeer sauté served with mashed potatoes and cranberry jam. River and lake fish complete the menu with arctic char, perch, lavaret and pike
Stay in unusual accommodations and meet the reindeer
After a busy day, you will experience the pleasure of discovering in Lapland original accommodations immersed in nature, such as these log cabins, wooden huts in the woods on stilts or even these bubbles entirely made of glass that give the impression of a night under the stars, so to speak, since the night is white! Keep your eyes open, in summer, reindeer are never far away. You can even meet the reindeer in several different ways, some of them very unusual. You can discover a reindeer farm that dates back to 1860. You can watch a reindeer herd being fed in the summer at another historic farm that is more than 100 years old. You can pet the reindeer, take pictures and learn more about the habits of this iconic Lappish species. For example, you should know that while the reindeer live in the wild, few are truly wild. They are herds belonging to a breeder. Reindeer live outside in the wild from April to November, they can be seen on the roads, in the taiga and it is easy to observe them. The rest of the year, they are parked and fed during the winter... The newborns will make you crack! The children appreciate these encounters very much. It is therefore an activity to do with the family. But the most unusual reindeer activity is undoubtedly this 1h30 yoga session in the middle of the reindeer.
