Family adventures for the active: hiking trails in Finnish national parks

April 11, 2025

Finland, the land of a thousand lakes and vast forests, offers extraordinary opportunities for families seeking an active vacation surrounded by unspoiled nature. Finland's national parks are true natural treasures, where you can combine fascinating nature education with unforgettable adventures. In this article, we will take you on a journey through the most beautiful hiking trails that are ideal for families with children. Together we will discover enchanting landscapes, learn about Finnish flora and fauna, and experience the tranquility that only unspoiled nature can offer. Whether you are an experienced hiker or just starting out on your hiking adventure, Finland's national parks have something to offer for everyone. Get ready for a fascinating trip that will spark your children's love of nature and leave them with memories to last a lifetime.

Ad

Nuuksio National Park - a family paradise just outside Helsinki

Start our adventure with Nuuksio National Park, which is a real treasure for families living in the capital or visiting Helsinki. Located just 35 kilometers from the city center, this park offers the perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and immerse yourself in the peaceful Finnish nature. Nuuksio impresses with its variety of landscapes - from dense coniferous forests to picturesque lakes and granite rock formations.

For families with children, Nuuksio is a true paradise. The park offers a number of well-marked trails of varying levels of difficulty, making it possible to adapt the route to the abilities of the youngest hikers. Especially recommended is the Haukankierros nature trail, which is about 4 kilometers long and leads around a charming lake. Along the way you will find information boards that tell you about the local flora and fauna in an accessible way, which is a great opportunity to learn through play.

One of the park's biggest attractions is the Haltia Nature Center, a state-of-the-art educational facility that is well worth a visit before heading out on the trail. Interactive exhibits will help children understand the ecosystem of Finnish forests and prepare them for what they might see on a hike. It's also a great place to learn more about the park's safe hiking rules and stock up on maps.

Nuuksio is also famous for its wildlife viewing opportunities. Although they are difficult to encounter, careful observers can spot the tracks of moose, foxes or even rare flying squirrels. For children, this is an unforgettable adventure - searching for animal tracks can become a fascinating field game.

It is worth mentioning that Nuuksio National Park is perfectly suited for families. In the park you will find numerous picnic areas, covered shelters and campfires, where you can rest and prepare a meal. Toilets are clean and easily accessible, which is important especially for families with young children. The park also offers the possibility to rent equipment such as canoes and bicycles, which allows you to diversify your stay and discover the park from a different perspective.

Regardless of the season, Nuuksio has a lot to offer. In summer you can enjoy swimming in the crystal clear lakes, in autumn you can pick berries and mushrooms, in winter the park turns into a paradise for cross-country skiers, and in spring it delights with the awakening nature. This diversity makes Nuuksio an ideal destination for family trips all year round, offering new experiences and sensations every time.

Pyhä-Luosto National Park and Urho Kekkonen National Park - a Lapland adventure for the whole family

Let's now move to the north of Finland, to the land of the aurora borealis and white nights - Lapland. Here two remarkable national parks await us: Pyhä-Luosto and Urho Kekkonen, which offer families with children unforgettable adventures in the heart of Arctic nature.

Pyhä-Luosto National Park is a magical place where you can experience the true spirit of Lapland. The park is famous for its picturesque tunturi - the region's characteristic gentle hills, which are covered with snow in winter and shimmer with all shades of green in summer. For families with children, the park offers a range of activities suitable for different age groups. One of the most popular routes is the 'Noitatunturi' nature trail, which leads through an old pine forest and offers fascinating information about the local nature and culture of the Saami - the indigenous inhabitants of the area.

Children will be delighted with a visit to the Naava Nature Center, where interactive exhibits allow you to learn about the history of the formation of the Finnish landscape and see what life was like in Lapland hundreds of years ago. It's a great place to prepare for a hike and understand the park's unique ecosystem.

Urho Kekkonen National Park, named after the former president of Finland, is in turn one of the largest wilderness areas in Europe. Despite its vastness, the park offers many opportunities for families with children, especially in the southern part, where there are well-marked trails and hiking infrastructure. A popular destination for family excursions is the Ruijanpolku waterfall, which is reached via an easy 2-kilometer trail. Along the way, children can watch the reindeer that roam freely in the park.

Both parks offer unique experiences that can be fascinating for children. In Pyhä-Luosto, you can take a trip to old amethyst mines, where children can search for these beautiful stones. Urho Kekkonen Park, on the other hand, offers family survival workshops where you can learn the basics of living in the wilderness - from making a fire to building a shelter.

It's worth noting that both parks are open year-round, offering different activities depending on the season. In winter, you can go skiing, take a dip in the ice hole or observe the aurora borealis. In summer, the parks invite you to go hiking, pick berries and mushrooms, or fish in the crystal clear lakes.

When traveling with children to these parks, be sure to prepare accordingly. The weather in Lapland can be changeable, so it's a good idea to bring warm and waterproof clothes, even in summer. There are shelters and camping spots in both parks, which can be a great base for family trips.

Both Pyhä-Luosto National Park and Urho Kekkonen National Park offer unforgettable experiences for the whole family. These are places where children can learn respect for nature, learn about Lapland's culture and experience real adventure in a wild but friendly environment. A visit to these parks is not only an active recreation, but also a lesson in nature and history that will remain in the memory of both children and adults for a long time.

Riisitunturi and Koli - mountain adventures for active families

To conclude our tour of Finnish national parks, let's move on to two lesser-known but equally fascinating places: Riisitunturi National Park and Koli National Park. These two parks offer incredible mountain scenery and are ideal for families who enjoy slightly more challenging trails and active recreation.

Riisitunturi National Park, located in southern Lapland, is famous for its fairy-tale winter landscapes. Trees covered with a thick layer of snow and frost create amazing formations that look like they're from another planet. For families with children, the park offers several well-marked trails of varying difficulty. Particularly recommended is the 4.3-kilometer circular route, which leads to the top of Riisitunturi Hill, from where there are spectacular views of the surrounding forests and lakes.

In the park you will also find many places to rest and shelter, including cozy huts where you can warm up and prepare a meal. This is a great opportunity to teach children the basics of survivalism and show them the importance of proper preparation for mountain hiking. In winter, the park turns into a paradise for cross-country skiers and snowshoers, offering unforgettable adventures for the whole family.

Koli National Park, on the other hand, located in eastern Finland, is one of the country's most scenic spots. The famous Koli hills offer breathtaking views of Lake Pielinen and the surrounding forests. The park is the perfect place to show children how the Finnish landscape was formed during the Ice Age.

For families with children, Koli offers a range of activities. You can take an easy hike to the top of Ukko-Koli, which offers the most famous view in Finland, often depicted on postcards and in textbooks. The park also has a ski center, which in winter offers trails for skiers of all levels, including special zones for children.

In summer, Koli encourages outdoor activities. Here you can rent bicycles and explore the park on two wheels, or go canoeing on Lake Pielinen. This is a great opportunity to teach children new skills and show them the diversity of Finnish nature.

Both Riisitunturi and Koli offer excellent tourist infrastructure. In both parks you will find marked trails, picnic areas and shelters where you can rest and take shelter in case of bad weather. It's worth remembering, however, that these parks offer slightly more challenging trails than Nuuksio or the southern part of Urho Kekkonen Park, so they are ideal for families with slightly older children or those who are already experienced in mountain hiking.

When traveling to these parks, it is advisable to plan a longer stay. Riisitunturi and Koli are places that are best explored slowly, savoring each view and experience. This is an excellent opportunity to teach children patience, perseverance and respect for nature.

All in all, Finland's national parks offer incredible opportunities for families looking for an active wilderness vacation. From easy walks in Nuuksio, to Arctic adventures in Pyhä-Luosto and Urho Kekkonen, to mountain hikes in Riisitunturi and Koli, each park has its own unique character and attractions. Regardless of which park you choose, one thing is certain - unforgettable family adventures await you, which will awaken your children's love of nature and desire to explore it. Remember to always be well-prepared, respect nature and enjoy every moment spent in these extraordinary places.

Similar articles

Ad