Autumn foliage, or “ruska” in Finnish, is absolutely one of the musts you need to experience in Finland. The best place to get a glimpse of it is the northernmost Finnish Lapland which consists of the municipalities of Inari and Utsjoki. And the best time to experience it is usually the second and third week of September.
“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.”
– Lauren Destefano
What is autumn foliage?
In autumn the amount of light reduces and the temperature is lower – it is the time when the nature starts its preparing for winter. Plants and deciduous trees stop the photosynthesis and their chlorophyll decomposes and retreats to stems, trunks and roots. This reveals the orange-red and yellow pigment in the leaves. The storm of colors takes over the whole scenery and makes the ground flame in a magical way!
How to experience the autumn foliage?
Here is some advice how to experience the autumn foliage in the northernmost Finnish Lapland.
First, you need to get yourself to the Finnish Lapland which is easy by air (flight to Ivalo), by bus or by car. Secondly, you must book your accommodation, preferably close to the nature. You can get inspiration of the different accommodation options here. How about staying overnight in a glass nature igloo where you can admire the surrounding beautiful blaze of colors? Despite of the weather.
Thirdly, you need to have good outdoor equipment – they will keep you warm and comfortable even if the weather is worse. Equip yourself at least with good waterproof shoes and wind and waterproof jacket. Then get yourself to the nature! Here are tips how you can experience autumn foliage in the authentic environment in the northernmost Finnish Lapland:
- Go for a hiking trip. For example, in the national parks the routes are well marked and there are routes for all level of hikers.
- Try open fell biking. There are plenty of marked routes to choose from, ranging from more difficult tracks to easy forest and fell trails. If you don’t feel like going on your own, local companies arrange guided biking trips.
- Take part to a guided canoeing trip. The landscape opens up differently when viewed from the water level.
- Go picking berries or mushrooms. Finnish everyman’s rights guarantee that you can pick berries or mushrooms in the nature.
- Or simply do nothing. The best passivity ever is just to sit down, perhaps around open fire, and admire the scenery.
What are you waiting for? Go and book yourself the trip to the autumn foliage in the northernmost Finnish Lapland!
