A field guide to the north

Where the
forest
meets the sky.

Explore the wild landscapes of Finland - ancient forests, thousands of lakes, Arctic fells, islands, wetlands and the animals that call them home.

41 National parks
4 Nature regions
∞ Wild places
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Finland in nature

A country shaped by water, forest and ice.

Finland is a landscape of extraordinary contrasts. Dense boreal forests give way to open lakes, rocky coastlines, wetlands and the fell country of Lapland.

From southern forests close to Helsinki to the Arctic wilderness of the north, nature remains deeply connected to everyday Finnish life.

Hiking, paddling, fishing, skiing, berry picking and simply sitting beside a lake are all part of the Finnish relationship with the outdoors.

“In Finland, nature is never very far away.”
The great landscapes

Four faces of Finland

Forests, lakes, archipelagos and Arctic wilderness create a country where the scenery changes dramatically from south to north.

01 · Lakeland

The blue labyrinth

Forests, islands and countless quiet waters.

02 · Forests

Boreal woods

Pine, spruce and birch.

03 · Lapland

Arctic fells

Open horizons beneath the northern sky.

04 · Coast

Island worlds

Rocky shores and Baltic waters.

05 · Wetlands

Silent mires

Open peatlands and bird-rich wilderness.

Regional atlas

Where to begin

Finland's nature can be understood through four broad regions, each with its own landscapes, wildlife and seasons.

01

Lapland

Fells, Arctic forests, reindeer landscapes, vast wilderness and winter skies illuminated by the Aurora.

North · Arctic
02

Lakeland

A mosaic of lakes, islands, pine forests, ridges and waterways. Ideal for paddling, hiking and quiet retreats.

Central · Water
03

Coast & Archipelago

Baltic islands, rocky skerries, coastal meadows, wetlands and marine wildlife.

West · Baltic
04

Helsinki Region

Urban life sits surprisingly close to forests, lakes, islands and protected landscapes such as Nuuksio and Sipoonkorpi.

South · Forest
Wildlife

Who lives here?

Finland's forests, lakes, wetlands and Arctic landscapes provide habitats for large mammals, rare birds and unique aquatic species.

Brown bear
Ursus arctos

Brown Bear

Finland's national animal and one of the great inhabitants of its eastern forests.

Wolf
Canis lupus

Wolf

A secretive predator whose territories can cover huge areas of northern forest.

Reindeer
Rangifer tarandus

Reindeer

An iconic symbol of Lapland and an essential part of northern landscapes and culture.

Field guide

Species of Finland

A compact introduction to some of the mammals, birds and aquatic species found across Finnish habitats.

BR
Brown bearLarge mammal · Forests
Native
LY
Eurasian lynxPredator · Boreal forest
Native
WO
Grey wolfPredator · Wilderness
Native
SA
Saimaa ringed sealFreshwater seal · Lake Saimaa
Rare
RE
ReindeerArctic mammal · Lapland
Iconic
SW
Whooper swanBird · Lakes & wetlands
National bird
EA
Golden eagleRaptor · Northern regions
Native
GL
WolverineCarnivore · Remote wilderness
Rare
Protected landscapes

National parks

Finland's national parks preserve forests, lakes, islands, wetlands and fell landscapes while providing marked routes for visitors.

Lakeland

Koli

Hills and forests overlooking Lake Pielinen. Ukko-Koli is one of Finland's best-known national landscapes.

HikingYear-round
Southeast

Repovesi

Rugged forests, blue lakes, cliffs, bridges and trails through one of southern Finland's dramatic wilderness areas.

HikingFamily friendly
Western Finland

Seitseminen

Ancient forests, quiet mires, eskers and cultural heritage landscapes connected by hiking routes.

Ancient forestTrails
The changing north

Four seasons

Finnish nature transforms dramatically throughout the year. Every season brings different light, wildlife and ways to explore.

01

Spring

Migrating birds return, snow retreats and wetlands fill with life. Forests gradually turn green again.

Birdwatching · May
02

Summer

Long bright days are perfect for hiking, canoeing, swimming, fishing and exploring the archipelago.

Hiking · June–August
03

Autumn

Forests change colour, berries and mushrooms appear and the northern nights gradually become darker.

Ruska · September–October
04

Winter

Snow transforms the landscape. Lapland becomes a world of skiing, snowshoeing, frozen lakes and Aurora nights.

Snow · December–March
Into the wild

Ways to explore

Finnish nature is accessible in every season, whether you prefer a quiet walk or a multi-day wilderness adventure.

01

Hiking

Marked trails range from short nature walks to multi-day wilderness routes.

02

Canoeing

Explore the interconnected lakes and islands of Finnish Lakeland from the water.

03

Wildlife watching

Look for bears, birds, seals and other species with responsible local guides.

04

Foraging

Blueberries, lingonberries and mushrooms are part of the seasonal forest experience.

05

Winter trails

Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and winter walks reveal another side of the landscape.

06

Dark skies

Head north for long winter nights and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.

Respect the wilderness

Nature is open.
That means responsibility.

01

Take your rubbish with you and leave natural areas as you found them.

02

Check local rules before lighting fires, camping or entering protected areas.

03

Keep a respectful distance from wildlife and never feed wild animals.

04

Stay aware of weather, darkness and changing conditions, especially in remote areas.

05

Learn the local rules before picking berries or mushrooms in protected areas.