Outdoor Activities and Adventures, Oulu

Welcome to Hertsöträsket! The latest lake in the Luleå area to be stocked with fish is Hertsöträsket, just near the Hertsön housing area. The City of Luleå Department of Recreation has stocked the lake with char and rainbow trout over the past few years. You can also catch perch and pike. There are walking trails around the lake and cabins, wind shelters and picnic areas. The lake is also accessible to disabled visitors in wheelchairs. Fishing permits are available at the following places: The Luleå Tourism Office, the TEAM Sportia shop, the Vildmark shop and Råneå Citizens Office. https://visitlulea.se/en/see-do/destination/hertsoetraesket

Are you attracted to northern forests? If so, your place is Pilke in Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland near the Arctic Circle. The science centre’s exhibitions will allow you to explore current forest issues, while the Pilke Shop offers forest products that appeal to all of the senses. The Pilke Science Centre is a memorable and interactive place to visit for people of all ages whether the reason for your visit is work, study or vacation. The exhibition at the Science Centre teaches visitors about sustainable use of the northern forests and about the diverse range of products and commodities connected to the forests. Pilke’s life is rooted in the present moment and in the bright future of finding many uses for the forests. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/pilke-science-centre/

Ounasvaara Ski Resort is located almost close to the centre of Rovaniemi city. From the Northern side of Ounasvaara mountain, you’ll find a modern ski resort where you can downhill ski, snowboard, or ski while enjoying the international atmosphere. Ounasvaara’s slopes are suitable for both beginners and professionals. The resort features two slope areas, Ounashissit and Tottohissi. The latter has the 3 most challenging slopes, including an FIS-competition slope, and it is consequentially favoured by professional and more experienced skiers. It is often used by Finnish athletes as a training area. Ounashissit has four slopes ranging from beginner to expert, and also includes a ‘street’ for snowboarders and freestyle skiers with many numerous jumps, rails, press boxes and a Super Pipe. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/ounasvaara-ski-resort/

Welcome to Teknikens Hus -a whole world of technology and an exciting place for the curious of all ages. Come make your own paper, navigate the remote-controlled boats through the harbour or launch the rocket right out into space! Daily family workshops, guided planetarium shows and water rocket launches. Open all year round, Tuesday-Sunday 10 am - 4 pm. Activities in the park during summer hours, from Monday after midsummer - mid-August. https://visitlulea.se/en/see-do/destination/teknikens-hus-luleaa-science-center

Santa Park is located in an underground cavern just a few kilometres north of Rovaniemi. Along with Santa Claus, the cavern is home to countless happy and helpful elves, and children are able to spend time in Elf School learning their tricks. There is also a bakery where you can help the elves decorate gingerbread, a restaurant, and an ice bar and gallery. Every 2 hours the elves put on an entertaining show for the children on the stage, and there is a charming train to take you around the different areas of the cavern. Santa Park also provides plenty of outdoor fun for the family, including Husky sledge rides, Reindeer sleighs, Skidoo and mini-Skidoo, and sledging – don’t worry about the cold as SantaPark provides arctic wear for the outdoors activities, and there are several open fires and hot berry juices to keep the chill-out. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/santa-park/

You can meet Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle every day at the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland. Santa Claus spends his time at Santa Claus Village every day of the year to take care of his mission in life; to enhance the well-being of children and the kindness of grown-ups, as well as spread the message of love and goodwill and the Christmas Spirit across the globe. You can find many programme service companies, souvenir shops as well as Santa’s Main Post Office, and cafes and restaurants in Santa Claus Village. And of course, Santa is there too, in his chamber every day of the year! https://santaclausvillage.info/

The merriest place on the Arctic Circle. Snowman World gives you all the joys of winter in a single location next door to Santa Claus on the Arctic Circle – all with just one ticket. The speedy but safe slide is big fun for grown-ups and children too. You can skate on ice or dive in a snowball pit or go into orbit with a sleigh-go-round. Admire ice sculpture in the ice bar and cafe while we serve kids with raspberry red beverages and adults with icy clear drinks. And the drinking glasses are made out of ice, of course. Around of snow and ice, there is the Snowman World you can meet three happy snowman siblings. Ice Hockey promise Flake is the wildest of the three and you might get him to teach you how to shoot the puck on the ice. You will probably find rock star Frost somewhere playing the air guitar. He believes he can make northern lights appear by finding just the right chords. Aurora, sister to these two rowdy brothers, is a dreamer. She loves poems and artistic ice sculptures but nothing gets her more excited than seeing the beautiful northern lights, Aurora Borealis, of which she has been named after. You might also meet the groundskeeper Snowman who takes care of our guests and watches over the whole world of snowmen. The parents of these siblings will not meet in the Snowman World. They work during winters in the snowball factory in Kaamanen where they store snow to a secret place, in case of the warming of the climate. The snowman siblings spend their winters in the Arctic Circle studying winter sports, ice and snow sculpting and aurora hunting. They will take you to enjoy the arctic outdoors and help you try new things like sliding down the ice hills, ice skating and ice sculpting. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/snowman-world/

Come and experience a real reindeer sleigh ride in wintery nature – right in the backyard of Santa’s house at the Arctic Circle. With our guidance, you can rein the reindeer by yourself or just sit comfortably under warm blankets and enjoy the snowy views. You can choose to have a ride with just one reindeer or several reindeers in a line. After the ride, you can an by the open fire where we serve hot juice and experience the magic of the firelight and a real Lappish atmosphere. Explore the snowy forests with your friends on a reindeer sleigh ride and discover the northern lights. The path leads over frozen marshes and spruce woodlands to a winter hut, where we wait for the Northern Lights. While waiting, savour grilled sausages, drink campfire coffee and mulled wine, and enjoy the tranquillity of the wilderness. At the end of the safari, we are feeding a reindeer herd of up to one hundred in their paddock, where you can capture the moment on camera and feed the reindeer. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/santa-claus-reindeer-reindeer-sleigh-ride/

Experience the atmosphere of authentic Finnish Christmas in Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle. Meet Santa Claus in the Christmas House of the Santa Claus Holiday Village, and discover the unique Christmas exhibition, explaining the Christmas traditions around the World. http://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/see-do/sights-and-attractions/

Arcusbadet is a popular outdoor pool area found at First Camp Luleå. It entertains people of all ages! There is an awesome water park with a wave machine and a long water slide. When your stomach starts to rumble, you can visit the grill room which offers burgers and sausages, or the kiosk selling ice cream, candy, drinks and pool toys. If you do not want to swim you can enjoy yourself in the Arcadium, play some volleyball or try the jumping pads. On-site there are changing rooms, toilets and outdoor showers. There is also access to smaller storage boxes for your valuables. The bath is open for everyone and as a guest at First Camp, you get a favourable price on the entry. https://visitlulea.se/en/see-do/destination/arcusbadet

Visit 360 Trampoline Center at Luleås mall center, Storheden, where the park is located right in the middle of the shopping district. The park has 2200 sq meters and the major part is packed with activities. It offers the best and most exciting activities a trampoline park can deliver. Besides attractions, it also offers party rooms and business events as well as a larger section for snacks, lighter meals and coffee in a welcoming atmosphere. The trampoline park is an activity for various occasions and ages. It is an exciting and energy-demanding Entertainment for the entire family, business event, school class activity, the sports team, beginners and advanced acrobat athletes who want to burn off some extra calories while having lots of fun. https://visitlulea.se/en/see-do/destination/360-trampoline-center

The open-air museum Hägnan is a cultural-history open-air museum, a living "in the past" and a wonderful place for group activities all year round. During the summer season, Hägnan is open to the public every day 11-17 and in the farms, populated with time-dressed people, you are moved back in time. Experience how people in rural areas lived in the world before and gladly reflect on the development of society for good and evil! Or simply enjoy the pleasant environment, watch the animals in the gardens, go on stilts or play with the children. https://visitlulea.se/sv/se-goera/destination/friluftsmuseet-haegnan

Gammelstad Church Town was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1996, and is thereby covered by "The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage". The objects on the World Heritage List all bear unique testimony to the history of the world and mankind. They are invaluable to humanity and must be preserved for posterity. The list contains about 750 cultural and natural environments of which the Great Wall of China, the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and Sveaborg outside Helsinki are among the better known. As well as Gammelstad Church Town, Norrbotten also has the World Heritage Laponia, which is the largest area of wilderness in Europe. Gammelstad is an outstanding example of a Northern Scandinavian church town. More than 400 cottages, which were used on Sundays and during major religious festivals, markets and local courts, are grouped around the late medieval stone church in Gammelstad. The cottages served as an overnight stop for parishioners who lived too far away to make the journey to the church and back in one day. The City of Luleå was founded around the old church in the 17th century. Today Gammelstad consists of a unique assortment of church cottages, year-round dwellings and public buildings. The church cottages are still used in a traditional way. https://visitlulea.se/en/see-do/destination/gammelstads-kyrkstad-vaerldsarv

Balingeberget is an easily accessible nature reserve in the village of Bälinge, located about 1.5 km west of Luleå. When the surface of the earth gradually returned to its shape, one day the peak of Bälingeberget seemed like a small island in the sea. In a few millennia, the island grew into a whole mountain as the waves of the sea hit the mountain. Even today it appears that the rock has been exposed to sea storms. On the way to the summit in the nature reserve, you pass over the remains of pebbles that show the melting of the inland ice, ancient beach walls, large mountain caves, etc. For visitors, Balingeberget feels like a Wilderness area with a rich wildlife and plant life. Here there are plenty of fireplaces with firewood, a rest cottage and about 6km of the hiking trail to go after. A trail goes up to the top of the mountain as well as around the mountain. At the top, there is a nice view of Luleå and the river. Height: 139m above sea level. https://visitlulea.se/sv/se-goera/destination/baelingeberget-1

There are 23 slopes at Tahko, the biggest ones 1200 meters long and as much as 200 meters high. At Tahko, you can find speedy slopes for active skiers, but the kids and beginners have their own slope, too. Snowboarders will enjoy the proper pipe and the boxes and rails of the street. There are 13 T-bar lifts and two four-person chair lifts taking skiers to the top of Tahko. In addition, there is a lift connection from the slope area to the parking lot, and a safe carpet lift for the youngest skiers. At Tahko, you do not have to leave the slopes when you get hungry. There are five slope restaurants ready to fill your stomach and quench your thirst. Additional slope services include two equipment rental shops and a ski school. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/tahko-ski-resort/

Two excellent museums, the Kuopio Cultural History Museum and the Kuopio Natural History Museum in an over 100-year-old building. From the enigmatic mammoth to the idyllic black cottage! The permanent exhibitions of the Natural History Museum rich in experiences, including a woolly mammoth interior, offer a possibility to experience Finnish environment and natural phenomena in an ecological setting. The permanent exhibitions of the Cultural History Museum provide information on the prehistory, settlement, local livelihoods, industry and the ways of life in Northern Savo. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/kuopio-museum/

In Terranova you can explore and experience the beautiful archipelago of the Kvarken area with all your senses. You can admire and listen to the sounds of all common birds singing, tap a seal and have a peek at our virtual aquarium, where you will see fishes of all sizes. The mosquitoes are buzzing in the insect room, where you will also find all the beautiful butterflies of the area. All the birds and mammals of the Kvarken area are found in the scientific collections of the nature centre. In the auditorium, you may look at nature films, including a film about the Ice Age and the local phenomenon of rising land, explained to you in a clear and fascinating way. Terranova also provides information about nature tourism and special interest activities in this unique landscape. You can look around by yourself or make a reservation for a guided tour beforehand. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/terranova-kvarken-nature-centre/

Oravivuori arc point is a part of Struve Geodetic Arc. The Struve Geodetic Arc was accepted into the Unesco World Heritage List in 2005. It represents the cultural heritage of science and technology. The Struve Geodetic Arc was laid out and measured in 1816-1855 with the aim of determining the size and shape of the Earth. The Struve Geodetic Arc is a chain of survey triangulation measurements stretching from the Arctic Sea to the Black Sea, through ten countries and over 2,820km. Six stations points are located in Finland. The point of the Struve Arc Puolakka is located at the top of Oravivuori in Korpilahti. It is the most famous of the Finnish Struve Geodetic arc points, because it is located at the top of a hill and there are beautiful views to the lake Päijänne. On this spot a triangulation tower has been erected to commemorate the importance of the Oravivuori (or Puolakka) measuring station to the mapping of Finland. https://visitjyvaskyla.fi/en/palveluhakemisto/6656/oravivuori_triangulation_tower_-_19th_century_research_station

Hytermä islands are nature reserve area and museum islands, about 7km from the centre of Kerimäki towards Hälvä. Hytermä was declared a protected nature area in the year 1931, and the fact that is has survived almost completely in its natural state is all down to an ex-rural police chief (1916-1940) Heikki Väyrynen, a.k.a. Romu-Heikki, and his wife. The islands have a one-of-a-kind collection of art made from rocks and easily walked nature paths. Hytermä can only be reached by boat which you can rent before rowing the 400m to the island. Once there you will also find a wonderful sandy beach and a pier. Hytermä is situated 7 km from the centre of Kerimäki (Savonlinna-Kerimäki 23 km), address: Hälvänsaarentie 80, Kerimäki. https://visitsavonlinna.fi/en/hyterma/

Särkänniemi Adventure Park combines six very different experiences that together create a quality destination for all the family! There are some 34 different rides in Särkänniemi, offering wild whirls, gentle swaying or other fun experiences spiced with sprays of water, for example. This summer’s newest ride spins its passengers around like a tornado. The ride reaches a height of 15.6m when spinning. The upper part of the ride undergoes a maximum of 12 revolutions per minute with the arms spinning at 4 revolutions per minute. The ride features 24 seats, which spin freely, making each ride feel different. The height restriction for High Voltage is 130cm. The ride was manufactured by Italian company Antonio Zamperla S.p.A. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/saerkaenniemi-amusement-park/

Lusto – The Finnish Forest Museum is a destination for the entire family. It’s a place that brings back memories and creates new experiences. The national museum responsible for forest culture is located in Punkaharju, in the most beautiful landscape of ridges and lakes in eastern Finland. Lusto’s exhibitions and events provide a diverse and illustrative insight into the significance of forests in the life of Finns. Lusto is sure to appeal to visitors of all ages! https://visitsavonlinna.fi/en/products/lusto-the-finninsh-forest-museum/

The House of Mr Clutterbuck is based on the beloved books by Mauri Kunnas. Mr Clutterbuck’s house is located in Vammala, which is the town center of Sastamala, from where Mauri Kunnas is also from. The stories in Kunnas’ books bring to life a diverse world, and the House of Mr Clutterbuck brings those stories even more to life. So alive, in fact, that you can take part in them yourself! Mr Clutterbuck’s house has five different areas, where you can experience the world of Mauri Kunnas’ stories. During the summer season from May until the end of October Mr. Clutterbuck’s Fun on Wheels Yard is also open. The Home of Mr Clutterbuck invites you to play in Mr Clutterbuck’s kitchen, to get to know the ghosts of the haunted clock in the attic and to try out how it feels to descend from the lighthouse down the fireman’s pole. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/the-house-of-mr-clutterbuck/

Hanhipuisto park was originally set up in 1988 on a dredged soil deposit site. Extensive rebuilding work has turned the former sedimentation basins into a park where horizontal dimensions are used to highlight the vegetation on display. The total area of the Hanhipuisto park is around 16 hectares, of which 8.9 hectares comprises built-up parkland. https://www.visityyteri.fi/en/palvelut/hanhipuisto-park/

A museum of contemporary art built around Professor Maire Gullichsen’s collection in 1981. Pori Art Museum is a museum of contemporary art built around Professor Maire Gullichsen’s collection in 1981, showcasing the most recent trends in Finnish and international art. Constructivism, Fluxus and the trends in land and conceptual art have shown the way for exploring new phenomena. Functioning as the regional art museum of Satakunta, the collections and archives of the museum focus on modern and contemporary art. Pedagogic activities serve customers of all ages and help in finding new approaches to art and visual culture. The museum shop serves art lovers and professionals. The range of art literature related to the exhibitions and collections includes publications of international museums and artists, art magazines and art theory literature. The museum’s own series of exhibition and research publications cover phenomena in art from modernism to contemporary art. At the museum shop, you can also find gifts, cards and accessories connected to the exhibition themes, as well as high-quality art supplies. The museum is located in the lobby of the Art Museum, and it is open when the museum is. You can also pop in the shop without a museum ticket. https://www.visitpori.fi/en/pori-art-museum-2529

Presents Neoclassicism and it is one of the few buildings that survived the 1852 fire. One of the most valued buildings in Pori is the Old Town Hall designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, completed in 1841. Situated in the city centre on Hallituskatu. The English-style Old Town Hall Park located in front of it is one of the oldest parks in the city, and the location was originally home to a market square until the late 19th century. The Old Town Hall originally housed the city’s administration and courts; nowadays, the premises are used for dignified occasions. There is a restaurant in the basement. https://www.visitpori.fi/en/pori-old-town-hall-2867

A history museum with exhibitions on the history of Satakunta and Pori. There are also exhibitions on other themes in the Museum’s exhibition space Sali. The Museum is also home to lectures, concerts and other events. The new, highly expected exhibition Elon merkkejä (Signs of life) offers an experience-laden journey to life in Pori and Satakunta from the Stone Age to the present day. https://www.visitpori.fi/en/satakunta-museum-2500

Feel the surf and spindrift of the sea, listen to the ripple of the waves and look far to the open sea! Established in 2011, the Bothnian Sea National Park comprises approximately 160 km of the coast of Satakunta and Southwest Finland. The National Park extends from Luvia to Merikarvia in the Pori region, and it is mainly located in the outer archipelago. 98% of the area of the Bothnian Sea National Park is water, so the park offers a magnificent open landscape for even several days’ trips by sail or motorboat. See and experience the rugged and rocky outer archipelago with its sea-buckthorn bushes and blooming shore meadows. You can berth at the park’s islands and camp for short periods. There are resting and campfire places on the islands. There are also several excursion harbours in the National Park area to visit, such as Munakari, Iso-Enskeri and Seliskeri, Säppi in Luvia and Ouraluoto in Merikarvia. The lighthouse on the island of Säppi in Luvia was built in the 19th century. In addition, you can admire the heritage landscape, rare mouflon and migratory birds on the island. https://www.visitpori.fi/en/bothnian-sea-national-park-2854

The Puurijärvi and Isosuo National Park, like other national parks, is a very exceptional and important pearl in Finnish nature. There are already 1500-1200 inhabited areas before the start of the time, and village communities around the park were born in the 13th century. https://retkipaikka.fi/vapaa/puurijarven-ja-isosuon-kansallispuisto-suota-lintuja-ja-pohjoismaiden-suurimpiin-kuuluva-lintutorni/

Lohionginta Korpikeidas is a fishing place with a guaranteed catch! You can take your freshly caught fish with you or have it smoked. A domestic animal park is an excellent destination for family trips. Sheep, rabbits, chickens and roosters, guinea pigs, chipmunks, turkeys, pigeons, emus, a miniature pig and pony riding. Open also during winter time for fishing. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/korpikeidas/

Sports objects Territory: Monchegorsk Season: December to May. Length of descent – 900-1000 m. Vertical drop – 200 m. The sports complex has a system of artificial snow that is in addition to natural virgin slope has an artificial slope in winter and the slope for “vatrushka” skiing. https://visitmurmansk.info/en/dt_places/ski-resort-loparstan/

This private collection is open to the public during the summer months and to groups by arrangement throughout the year. One of the best toy museums in the country, exhibiting a large number of toys, all of which children have played with at some point in time. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/porvoo-doll-and-toy-museum/

Kokonniemi is a ski center located next to downtown Porvoo (under 50 km from Helsinki). The ski area consists of six very different slopes, a ski rental where you can rent both snowboards and skis as well as buy the ski passes required for the lifts. Next to the ski rental, you will find the restaurant Hölmöpulu where you can both dine or simply relax with a cup of hot chocolate. If you prefer cross country skiing there are many different tracks to choose from around the downhill area, we also rent cross country packages in case you do not have your own gear with you. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/kokonniemi-ski-centre/

Nuuksio National Park – fresh air, nature, tranquillity. Away from the hectic city life but still next door. Nuuksio National Park is only 40 minutes from Helsinki. Within easy reach of Helsinki, you can escape into wild natural settings and experience nature, lovely lakes, green forests and clean air. With its marked trails, cooking shelters and camping sites Nuuksio is ideal for short hiking trips lasting one or two days. Nuuksio National Park forms the western part of the so-called Nuuksio lake uplands, the most extensive and ecologically important continuous backwoods area in the Uusimaa Region. Because it is located in southern Finland and affected by broken bedrock, the park consists of an intricate mosaic of habitats, where dozens of threatened and near-threatened species live. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/nuuksio-national-park/