Colorful nature and northern lights

In autumn the colorful foliage delights visitors. The reduction in daylight prompts the plants to begin their winter preparations. Deciduous trees, shrubs and grass start to change color into deep shades of red, yellow and orange. In northern Lapland the autumn colors are at the most beautiful in September.

Rauhallisella järvellä heijastuu syyspuiden metsä, jossa on keltaisia ja vihreitä lehtiä osittain pilvisen taivaan alla, luoden peilikuvan veden pinnalle.

Hiking in the national parks

Autumn is the main season to go hiking as it offers a variety of possibilities for choosing your route. The diversity of colors is breathtaking and your eyes might even get tired from staring at this magnificent landscape all day long.

Lapland’s very own reindeer influencer Vesku has been hiking whole of his life here and warmly recommends autumn hikes. He knows that during this time all the fellow reindeer have their Sunday suits on after shedding away winter fur.

Northernmost Lapland is a popular outdoor destination as it is home to Finland’s two biggest national parks – The Lemmenjoki National Park and Urho Kekkonen National Park. Well-marked trails and Finland’s densest network of wilderness cabins create a unique setting for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Three hikers walk along a grassy ridge at sunset, carrying backpacks, with distant mountains and a soft, golden sky in the background.
Kaksi kypäräpukuista henkilöä ajaa läskipyörillä nurmipohjaisella polulla luonnonmaisemassa, jonka taustalla on matalaa vihreää kasvillisuutta ja sininen taivas.

Autumn activities

One option instead of hiking through the fells is paddling down the rivers. The two main rivers in the area are Ivalo river and Lemmenjoki National Park. At both places you can rent a canoe and plan your own trip or hop on to a river boat and let it take you to the homelands of Lapland’s indigenous Sámi People.

Whether you choose to take either of these options down the river, you will find the surroundings extremely beautiful and peaceful. Yellow leaves are floating next to you while Siberian jay birds are watching you from the woods and waiting to get a taste of your snacks.

Northern light season is on

Autumn is the time when the nights start to be dark enough to observe the Northern Lights after a long summer of midnight sun. The temperatures are not that cold yet and the lakes and rivers remain open. On a windless night, the water surface can be very calm and look like a mirror. This is the best time to observe and photograph the Aurora and reflections on the lakes.

Värikkäät revontulet violetin, vihreän ja keltaisen sävyissä valaisevat yötaivasta Nellimin maiseman siluettien yläpuolella. Tähdet näkyvät eloisien revontulikaistojen seassa.
Nuori poro, jolla on pienet sarvet, seisoo tundralla keltaisen, oranssin ja vihreän sävyisten syyslehtien ympäröimänä pehmeässä päivänvalossa.

Explore several destinations

Northernmost Lapland is a vast area in northernmost Finnish Lapland, with many exciting destinations and sights from the outdoor resort of Saariselkä to the centre of Sámi culture in Inari, and on to the northernmost tip of EU in Nuorgam.

In the villages of Lapland North Destinations, you will find the authentic Finnish Lapland.

Accommodation for all budgets

Whether you prefer to sleep under a duvet or a starry sky, there is a wide range of accommodation options available. From a high-class villa to an aurora cabin, or an all-inclusive hotel to a camping site – you can find it all in Lapland North Destinations. Cozy holiday apartment or a private lakeside cottage offers a personal touch to your dream holiday.

Accommodation
Kolme oransseihin pelastusliiveihin pukeutunutta ihmistä ajaa LILIV-nimisessä mustassa veneessä rauhallisella järvellä, jota ympäröivät vehreät metsäiset kukkulat. Taivas on pilvinen, ja vesi heijastaa vehreyttä.