Top 5 Ruka Day Trips: Explore Finnish Lapland

So, Ruka, Finland, is more or less known as a ski resort, right? Yet, it is also pretty much a great base for checking out all sorts of cool spots in Finnish Lapland. Just a bit from dramatic fells to peaceful forests, there’s naturally a whole lot to see and do around here. I mean, in case you are very up for stepping away from the slopes for a spell, or perhaps you’re hitting up Ruka in the warmer months, you’re sort of in luck! Basically, I will walk you through five top day trips which means that you can get the absolute most out of your Finnish trip.

1. Oulanka National Park: Hiking Heaven

Oulanka National Park is very iconic for anyone who likes being outdoors. Actually, it’s fairly close to Ruka so this would probably be your first stop. What is really appealing regarding Oulanka is, that it has some hiking options from those, that you, you know, might consider an afternoon stroll to longer hikes, which takes a few days, okay? Possibly, the most famed trail over here is Karhunkierros Trail which also is called the “Bear’s Trail.” At roughly 80 kilometers it actually is suited for more advanced hikers yet even shorter segments, or alternatives, like the little Bear’s Trail, probably will provide fantastic views.

I mean, if you were hoping for something memorable along the way, is that you will most likely spot some rapidly flowing rivers, some fantastic hanging bridges and really imposing cliffs? Now, picture this – you have gotten through the forest and you also will be crossing the Kitkajoki River and get to really enjoy the views of the Jyrävä rapids. I feel, this park isn’t just scenery that feels just like looking through one of those holiday brochures! More or less, if you are wanting to see the genuine nature, this is certainly where its at. You know you can get from Ruka rather conveniently by car in almost one hour so, you should make certain, it features within your plans.

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2. Riisitunturi National Park: Fell Top Magic

Riisitunturi National Park which is known for it’s unique ‘hanging mires’, also called swamps, and fell top scenery, anyway provides a striking landscape very distinctive than the forested areas close to Ruka. Like your winter months, is that the trees in here are really generously covered by snow that this can have such a surreal feel especially. Then it starts to look, basically just like another world all together!

And by the way, the most famed trek over here is a loop which travels to the top of Riisitunturi Fell, okay? If you’re fairly fortunate to get yourself a fairly clear day, arguably, the panoramic vistas from the highest spot are utterly stunning! Usually this park happens to be accessible during winter and that a variety of routes is always properly maintained so you should not be quite as stressed as, if you would have, going solo deep on the forest. Often, consider packing camera gear with you too, for some photos; just be certain you protect it from dampness. You are aware, the winter landscapes tend to be that gorgeous, yet, it probably could ruin all your gear. As a matter of fact, from Ruka to get in Riisitunturi probably will need more or less an hours’ drive; yet, that vista is clearly worthwhile!

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3. Salla Reindeer Park: Meet Santa’s Helpers

You know, for sort of more of a family-oriented, and cultured, adventure is that the Salla Reindeer Park seems to be a rather perfect choice. This will also give you an incredibly close encounter which are the reindeer in addition, learn loads in relation to Sami tradition plus reindeer husbandry, okay? I feel if you did not even understand – reindeer herding has generally remained rather central towards Sami way of life for literally centuries.

Possibly, here in the park you should find different activities accessible. For Instance, feeding a reindeer can be so awesome to do since it is also so fulfilling! Similarly to yours, get started by following through through a reindeer sleigh ride with all those silent, snow-covered forest scenes. In other words, to hear your guides explain the traditions of Sami visitors is absolutely fascinating, arguably too! I see Salla Reindeer Park is just a bit beyond a hour’s travel from Ruka which means it’s possible so that you could easily spend either part, or pretty much all of a day there – especially as there tends to be so very much you get a chance to see.

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4. Kuusamo Tropical Zoo: Exotic Wildlife Encounters

Actually, you are someone into animal attractions, the Tropical Zoo, rather near Kuusamo – which in general can make for an really, great trip particularly should one experience little ones inside your social gathering. Very few zoos in this particular spot, probably mostly are geared around exhibiting animals that inhabit arctic regions, right. Instead Tropical Zoo includes creatures originating mostly via tropical zones, okay?

Usually anticipate checking species out in there with a different sort, or vibe, since you move along. For example, how about seeing some monkeys or snakes in their areas – is that really that odd considering you happen to be here just in Northern Finland, at some point? Basically, aside from exactly that this location also has quite a bit more going here versus regular seeing opportunities too because you may get involved doing things also. For instance, precisely what with watching as zookeepers usually feed certain animals? You know this zoo actually can teach you rather significantly on the care of wildlife in order to let one view aspects that commonly you would usually would never observe! What is important for you also might be that usually the tropical zoo just is approximately maybe half one hour out via vehicle from Ruka it might be so that this will certainly match without requiring really very time. This usually would likely not even make anyone too bored.

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5. Local Culture in Kuusamo: Explore the Town

Actually, so assuming nature hikes actually are certainly not quite what anyone had at heart, for instance I might simply strongly advise that instead possibly Kuusamo should suit you well to learn a great deal over. If not really – even try Kuusamo city itself also, right? You might probably find museums available across its areas to even some traditional Finnish places to see that commonly aren’t too common.

Now you could also potentially travel over to local museums available there and learn somewhat much over regional past or otherwise even see what forms or craftwork can happen across these kinds too which always might add the exciting layer especially! Arguably consider probably dropping in any neighborhood store here which sometimes could be really cool also – to basically receive numerous genuine handicrafts. If you happen to start to get famished by this stage – find any Kuusamo café to make sure anyone get what is required to enable someone go along just to sit on all things that Kuusamo usually might be just like! In any manner, the Kuusamo trip isn’t all way too demanding that could cause anyone any unneeded difficulties for which really will be rather worthwhile if somebody expects much considerably outside all their natural pursuits! Just being around a quarter-hour of a drive or even sometimes possibly less, it could conveniently just create great rapid escapade that really does get you some pretty good material particularly whether anyone never visited city zones, at the very least inside any Finnish context that generally comes down the pike anyway, okay!

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