Five rides in Finland, from Lapland to the Lakeland

Levi

Levi lies in Lapland, close to Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, among the fells Levitunturi, Kätkätunturi and Särkitunturi. There are forests, trails and lakeshores, at Immeljärvi, and reindeer roam freely through the woods. In summer there are 45 days of midnight sun. The offers ride through snowy forest in winter and through pine forest in summer, with Icelandic horses and Finnhorses.

• Confirmed: location, fells, forest, reindeer, midnight sun (Visit Finland), cold and mosquitoes (Visit Finland).
• From the provider: rides all year, Finnhorse and Icelandic horse, one to five hours in summer, also horse sleigh rides in winter, for beginners and experienced riders.
• Clarify before booking: equipment in the cold and how long the ride lies in the dark.

Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi lies on the Arctic Circle, with four distinct seasons. The January average is about minus 10 degrees, July reaches 18.5 degrees, summer brings bright nights and in winter northern lights are possible. The offers are a ride with Finnhorses in a small group, a forest ride with transfer, a winter ride over hills and through forest, and a ride under the midnight sun.

• Confirmed: location on the Arctic Circle, monthly averages, seasons (Visit Finland).
• From the provider: midnight sun ride from May to August, mostly walk, all levels, transfer.
• Clarify before booking: pick-up point, start time in the dark and what the provider supplies in clothing.

Saariselkä

Urho Kekkonen National Park stretches east from the village of Saariselkä to the Russian border. Arctic fell country, protected wilderness and wilderness huts shape it. Near Saariselkä there are marked routes for day trips, more demanding treks lie in the middle and east of the park. The offer is an arctic trail ride.

• Confirmed: location of the park, landscape, marked routes (Visit Finland).
• From the provider: trail ride, duration, level.
• Clarify before booking: whether the ride lies inside the national park and which rules the provider follows there.

Kuusamo and Ruka

Kuusamo lies near the village of Ruka, about 27 kilometres north of the town. In the area lies Oulanka National Park with the Karhunkierros trail, the Kitkajoki river and the rapids Myllykoski and Kiutaköngäs, with hills and forests. The offers are rides for beginners with Finnish horses and relaxed riding, all year.

• Confirmed: location, Oulanka, river, rapids (Visit Finland).
• From the provider: beginner rides, all year, Finnish horses.
• Clarify before booking: which season the ride covers and how long it lasts.

Koli

Koli lies in the Lakeland in North Karelia. From Ukko-Koli the view opens over Lake Pielinen, hills and lakes shape the park, which is visited all year. The offer is a guided ride with Icelandic horses in nature.

• Confirmed: location, view, landscape (Visit Finland), autumn colour in the Lakeland (Visit Finland).
• From the provider: guided ride with Icelandic horses.
• Clarify before booking: whether the ride lies inside the park and how long it lasts.

Season at a glance

Winter in Lapland lasts around 200 days and usually begins in mid October, and in January the sun in the far north at first does not rise above the horizon. The midnight sun begins in mid May, June and July are the best summer months. Autumn colour comes in Lapland from late August, in the Lakeland in mid September. Depending on the source, northern lights are possible from September to March or from late August to early April, on clear nights, there is no guarantee, and clouds are the most common reason to miss them.

What to pack

In winter layers and warm, dry gloves, in summer mosquito repellent and a rain jacket. Ask the provider what is supplied.

Questions for the provider

1. How much of the time are you in the saddle?
2. Which level and which weight limit apply?
3. How big is the group?
4. What applies in cold, darkness or snow?
5. Where is the meeting point, is there pick-up?
6. Does the ride run in a national park, and which rules apply there?