Nature activities
The most forested country in Europe has pristine and diverse nature. Here are the best forest activities for nature lovers in Southeast Finland
Finland is one of the best nature tourism destinations in the world, and the Southeast Finland area is Finland in miniature. Hop on a bike, hike with a backpack or throw yourself into the rapids – Southeast Finland is an active holidaymaker’s dream destination! Did you know that just 10 minutes in nature reduces stress and elevates mood?
Rafting and kayaking – wild activities and total relaxation
Experience rafting in the sparkling rapids and fast-flowing water of the Kymijoki river. The Kymijoki river cuts through the wilderness and flows into the Baltic Sea. Rafting is safe when accompanied by an experienced guide.
Relax as your stand-up paddleboard or kayak floats over the water surface. Southeast Finland features numerous rivers, lakes and the sea where you can experience the power of water in all its brilliance.
Green pearls and park slalom
In Finland, there is no need to go further than the city to be into a forest; even our largest cities have plenty of parks and even nature reserves. In Southeast Finland, parks worth seeing can be found, for example, in Porvoo, the centre of which is crossed by a 10-kilometer-long national urban park, and in the capital of Finnish parks, Kotka. Also experience Finland’s biggest and oldest arboretum in Kouvola.
Take a bike ride – see more
Get on your bike and let the wind blow through your hair! There are many great cycling trails in Southeast Finland, and nature is at its most beautiful in the summer – of course, you can also cycle in winter, as long as you have the right equipment. If you didn’t bring your own bike with you, you can find several rental companies here that offer city bikes, fat bikes and mountain bikes.
Hike the trails of nature reserves
Smell the pine needles and feel the soft moss under your feet. Southeast Finland has four strikingly beautiful national parks: Repovesi with rugged cliffs and bright lakes, Sipoonkorpi with gloomy wilderness, Valkmusa with bogs and duckboards, and the ruggedly beautiful Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park. You can also find countless nature trails in each of our cities where you can clear your mind and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of our sparsely populated country.
Relax like a Finn: go fishing and pick berries or mushrooms
We Finns love nature. In the summer, we pick berries, real vitamin bombs from our forests, and in the autumn, we pick mushrooms. Hundreds of edible mushrooms grow in Finland’s pristine nature.
The country with the most water bodies in the world also offers diverse opportunities for fishing. Southeast Finland features fish-filled lakes, rivers and open sea for as far as the eye can see. You can go fishing on your own or by accompanying a guided excursion.
