Explore the National Parks of Eastern Finland (Finland)

Daily distances will vary from 4km up to 17km (typically 7-15km), but there is also the flexibility to choose different trails and adapt the distances depending on the nature of the group.

Experience traditional Finnish hospitality with local cuisine and sauna

Your base for the week is a traditional guesthouse. There are three possible guesthouses which may be used depending on the tour, each differing in character, but all with a strong focus on local cuisine and where mealtimes will be as much a feature of your trip as your days of hiking.

No visit to Finland is complete of course without experiencing sauna, which lies at the very heart of Finnish culture, and the nightly sauna is the perfect way to round off the day after your time out on the trails.

Join a public tour or organise a trip with friends

Explore the National Parks of Eastern Finland is offered on fixed dates between May and September. Public tour dates are ideal for solo travellers (single supplement applies) or if travelling with friends.

Private tours are also possible for groups up to 14 persons on dates by request betweeen April and October. While public tours are open to adult guests only, younger participants may be possible for private groups.

Journey to Eastern Finland for an active but relaxed hiking adventure to enjoy iconic Finnish scenery with authentic North Karelian hospitality - this tranquil and welcoming region will find a special place in your heart.

Day 1: Arrival

Transfers will meet flight and train arrivals as follows:

• From Kuopio airport to meet flight arriving around 17.00, from where it is around 150km (approx. 1.5 hours) to your guest house accommodation for the night.
• From Sillinjärvi train station to meet the train from Helsinki arriving around 16.00. This transfer is coordinated with the airport transfer from Kuopio above.
• From Nurmes train station to meet trains from Helsinki arriving around 14.00 or 20.00. Transfer time to the guest house is approx. 30 mins.

Check-in and dinner at the guesthouse and a chance to get to know the other participants in your group and discuss the hiking tour ahead.

Following Days

Day 2: Day hike from the guesthouse

Today you will get to know the area with a hiking tour from the guesthouse taking you along village roads and forest trails.

In the afternoon, you have a brief introduction to the wonderful Finnish language (not required for travel in Finland but great fun to learn!) and the possibility to go canoeing on the lake a few hundred metres from the guesthouse.

Hiking distance: 6km; Trail: Easy.

Day 3: Hiking in Raesärkät Nature Reserve

After breakfast at the guesthouse, you have transfer for your first hiking day to Raesärkät Nature Reserve, known for its beautiful landscape of ridges, lakes and marshes.

The trail leads along the old cart road, with regular stopping places. Lunch outdoors (with packed lunch prepared from the breakfast buffet) and there's also the possibility for a swim in the lake.

In the afternoon, you return to the guesthouse for sauna and dinner.

Hiking distance: 10-15km; Trail: Easy; Transfer time: 30 mins one-way.

Day 4: Hiking in Hiidenportti National Park

Today brings you to Hiidenportti National Park, most famous for its spectacular gorge. The trail leading up to the gorge passes through atmospheric spruce forests and meadows.

Climbing the forested hill of Kovasinvaara offers good views of the surrounding area and a traditional cabin there reflects the history of the region.

Sauna and dinner at the guesthouse in the evening.

Hiking distance: 5 or 8km (Hiidenkierros Trail); Trail: Medium/Demanding; Transfer time: 90 mins one-way.

Day 5: Hiking in Tiilikkajärvi National Park

Tiilikkajärvi has a beautiful sandy beach, known as Venäjänhiekka (Russian sand), commemorating the peace treaty of 1595.

The Park offers a powerful impression of Finnish nature, with wetlands, beaches and forested hills.

Sauna and dinner at the guesthouse in the evening.

Hiking distance: Choice of circular routes 3.2 km (Autionkierto Trail), 7km (Uiton kierto Trail) or 17km (Tiilikan kierto Trail). The most suitable trail will be chosen depending on the group; Trail: Intermediate; Transfer time: 50 mins one-way.

Day 6: Hiking in Koli National Park

One of Finland's best known National Parks, Koli offers magnificent views that typify the scenery of eastern Finland. For centuries it has been a place of artistic inspiration, and Sibelius' Fourth Symphony is said to have been inspired by his visit.

Ukko-Koli, the highest point in the part at 347 metres above sea level, is the spot to enjoy the most iconic views. Many other hilltops also offer commanding vistas of Lake Pielinen and the forest below.

Sauna and dinner at the guesthouse in the evening.

Hiking distance: 7.2km (Mäkrä Trail); Trail: Intermediate-Demanding; Transfer time: 45 mins one-way.

Day 7: Hiking in the Paalasmaa Archipelago

A wonderful day's hiking to end the week, as you travel to Paalasmaa, Finland's highest island at 75m above sea level. The Paalasmaa Archipelago is a group of three islands in Lake Pielinen, reached by ferry.

Here you will hike the Paalasmaa Nature Trail, following small forest paths and country roads to an observation tower, which offers spectacular views over the archipelago, and all the way to Koli on a clear day.

Sauna and dinner at the guesthouse in the evening. This evening features a very special "smoke sauna" experience, reached by canoeing 1km across the lake (alternatively around 6.5km by bike or car).

Hiking distance: 15km circular trail; Trail: Intermediate; Transfer time: 60 mins one-way.

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast and departure. Transfers will meet flight and train departures as follows:

• To Kuopio airport to meet flight to Helsinki departing around 14.00.
• To Sillinjärvi train station to meet trains departing 13.00 or later. This transfer is coordinated with the airport transfer to Kuopio above.
• To Nurmes train station to meet trains departing 06.35 or 15.40. Depending on arrangements, guests on the afternoon train may be transferred to Nurmes earlier to spend time there before train departure.

Included

Accommodation:

Double/twin rooms in one guesthouse during the week. The guesthouse used will depend on availability for particular tour dates - all options are traditional, small-scale and locally owned. Single occupancy supplement applies for solo travellers. Guesthouses have shared WC/shower facilities. Wood-fired sauna is available each night. Bedding and towels are provided.

Meals:

All meals from dinner Day 1 to breakfast Day 8. There is a particular focus on local produce and Karelian cuisine. Please let us know any dietary requirements on booking.

Guide:

Experienced and knowledgeable local guide.

Transfers:

• Local transfers in connection with each day's hiking as per itinerary.
• Group transfer from Kuopio airport, Sillinjärvi train station or Nurmes train station at fixed times in connection with the start/end of the tour as per itinerary. Please note that airport transfer for guests adding extra days is not included. Please contact us for details of transfer costs if staying extra night(s).

Not Included

• Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
• Alcoholic drinks.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

Suitable for adults with general good level of health and fitness and who enjoy walking and nature.

Daily distances are 4-17km and there is also some flexibility to vary the hiking distance depending on the group. Hiking is generally on trails and moderate terrain, though some trails may be more challenging.

What makes this "Easy-Medium"?

Hiking is guided and daily distances are moderate. In dry weather, trails can be hiked in sports shoes or walking shoes, though conditions can be changeable and walking boots are recommended in wet weather.

Accommodation is in comfortable guest house each night and you will only need to walk with a day pack.

NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.

Ticks and TBE:

Note: Ticks occur mostly in grassy areas.

As in the UK and other areas, there are ticks in the Nordic forests which can carry diseases such as Borrelia. You should check for ticks at the end of a day in the outdoors. If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible by pulling the tick out straight, carefully and slowly, with the tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Ensure that you do not leave any of the insect's mouth parts attached to your skin. Wash the bite area with soap and water. In the unlikely event that you feel unwell or notice anything unusual around the area of the bite in the coming days, consult your doctor.

As in large areas of mainland Europe, in some localised areas of the Nordic countries, the ticks are known to carry TBE, or Tick-borne encephalitis, and locals spending extended periods in affected areas often choose to vaccinate themselves. For current advice on TBE and inoculations for the area you are visiting, please consult your doctor or see Travel Health Pro.

Equipment/clothes needed:

For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".

A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.

Preparing for your trip:

For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.

Minimum number:

The tours have no minimum and are guaranteed to run from the first booking.

Groups

Max. group size for public tours 14 participants. This experience is also suitable as a private tour for groups. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Eco Info

This provider has a detailed written environmental policy.