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Top autumn activities in Rovaniemi
The autumn is an overlooked season when it comes to visiting Rovaniemi. Spanning from late August until late November, it’s an ideal time for avoiding the crowds of the high tourist seasons and getting active outdoors.
With nature clad in autumn leaf colour, the fresh days are great for various activities, and nights present good chances of Northern Lights displays. Please find below our picks of things to do in the autumn.
See the Northern Lights on water and on land
Ask a local expert and they’ll say autumn is the best season for seeing the Northern Lights; from the latter half of August onwards, nights are dark enough for aurora viewing, and skies are not yet clouded by snowfall. Here’s a couple of ways to experience the Aurora Borealis in the autumn:
Aurora floating
Dip yourself into a freezing lake wearing a high quality rescue suit, zone out of the everyday noise and just take in the sky and hopefully the Auroras, too.
Northern Lights hunting by bus
Hop on a bus that heads out of the city and its light pollution, location depending on weather conditions. Sometimes the lights can be seen even on the way.
Hike with huskies or enter the arctic with reindeer
Husky dogs and reindeer are just as cute in the autumn as they are any other time of year. Besides visiting the farms they live at, you can actually do stuff with them even with no snow on the ground. Try these on for size:
Husky hike
On this tour every hiker gets a husky of their own to explore with. Along the way through the forests, there’s stops for snacks and, of course, petting the adorable dogs.
Join the reindeer herder’s day
Take a peek at the chores of a reindeer herder. This experience includes feeding the reindeer and crossing the Arctic Circle with them.
Go foraging
In autumn, berries and mushrooms are ripe for the picking. Expert guides take you to the forest, show you spots and advise what to pick.
Goods of the forest
Join a picking trip of the season’s berries and/or mushrooms and taste the goods of the forest right away! You’ll also learn about the health benefits of berries and herbs.
Explore nature on foot or on a bike
Autumn weather is normally crisp and clear with nice and cool temperatures, which means excellent conditions for hiking and biking. Get those legs working and enjoy the outdoors with these activities, for example:
Fatbike tour
Hop on a fatbike and experience the beautiful arctic nature! You’ll see some truly attractive landscapes riding through the woods.
Self-led hike in Ounasvaara or the Arctic Circle Hiking Area
The Ounasvaara outdoor area lies close to Rovaniemi city centre and is ideal for easy and convenient hikes. The Arctic Circle Hiking Area requires transport to get to, but the short bus ride is totally worth it.
Witness amazing landscapes and visit natural monuments
There’s quite a few interesting natural spots in and around Rovaniemi. For an impressive canyon and waterfall, you’ll have to venture an hour out of town. Both of these excursions take you there:
Korouoma canyon hiking tour
This is a hiking tour in the breathtaking landscapes of Korouoma canyon valley and its high cliffs.
Hike to the amazing Auttiköngäs
Hike in spectacular views on a nature trail that passes the Auttiköngäs waterfall and circles in the nearby woods. Enjoy a snack by open fire and listen to the sounds of the forest.
