Day Trips and Excursions from Rovaniemi

The northern European nation of Finland comes to life with the first snowfall every winter and is home to a number of unique destinations, and experiences. There are a myriad of day trips from Rovaniemi to discover, depending on which activities spark your interest.

Scramble down the frozen gorges of Rovaniemi on an ice-climbing adventure. Hike through snow-capped arctic forests or chase the Northern Lights on a snowmobile. Alternatively, pay a visit to a truly unique and impressive attraction — the world's largest snow fort — or spend your days snuggling huskies.

Lapland

Situated in the remote northern region of Finland, is Lapland, a winter wonderland. With more reindeer inhabiting the area than humans, Lapland is an untouched natural paradise waiting to be discovered by visitors.

One of the main reasons tourists journey to the area is to seek out the Northern Lights. This area is known to be one of the best in the world for spotting the natural phenomenon, because of its northerly location and lack of light pollution.

There are also plenty of outdoor activities for intrepid adventurers to participate in on a Lapland day tour. You can try ice fishing — an inventive method the Sami people use to catch dinner when the lakes are frozen over during the glacial conditions of winter. Another way to experience the region is through hiking and snowshoeing and for a more adrenaline-fueled day out, there are snowmobile tours.

As you wander through Lapland's arctic forest and frozen rivers, you may see some of the nation's resident wildlife, such as brown bears or elk. Those who love zooming down the slopes should book a ski trekking safari, while those wishing to see Lapland’s verdant landscape can book a summertime canoeing tour.

Husky park

For over 8,000 years, dog sledding has been used as a mode of transporting people and goods across the vast stretches of ice, and snow across the Arctic Circle. However, this tradition is not native to Lapland and was introduced to the area in the 20th century.

Huskies are the breed chosen to help the Sami because of their strength and endurance over long periods of time. These magnificent creatures work in packs, numbering between four and 12 to pull sleighs across the snow-covered terrain.

You can visit a number of husky parks on an excursion from Rovaniemi, where you'll have the chance to witness the dogs' unique colorings and enthusiastic demeanor up close.

Hop on a sleigh and experience the thrills of being pulled through the spectacular scenery of Lapland by your own husky pack. These day tours often include other destinations and activities, such as a reindeer sleigh ride or a trip to see Santa Claus at his official residence.

Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls

The Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls form a deep canyon that cuts through the landscape of Posio for around 30 kilometers and leads to the meandering Korojoki River. The natural reserve gets its name from its tumbling cascades that freeze over the winter period, transforming the water into glittering icicles.

Day tours to Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls take visitors on an unforgettable hiking adventure alongside towering cliffs and frozen rapids. As you follow the gorge on foot, you may hear a harmonic symphony of bird song. Over 60 species of birds live in this corner of Finland, including golden eagles and rough-legged buzzards.

Alongside hiking, you can participate in Korouoma's most popular activity — ice climbing. This exhilarating activity enables beginners and experts alike to admire the remarkable ice carvings in more detail. You'll be in the hands of a capable guide who will encourage you to leave fear behind as you climb into the canyon.

Ranua Wildlife Park

Ranua Wildlife Park is a zoo in the eponymous town of Ranua, situated in northern Finland. This wildlife park showcases over 50 species of arctic animals to enable visitors to see the creatures that inhabit the region up close. There are over 900 brown bears scattered among the forests of Finland.

However, they tend to be lonesome and shy beings, not often spotted by tourists. On a day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park, you can marvel at their impressive stature and learn about their history across Europe.

Other species that thrive in the park include the vulnerable polar bear. Global warming is the main cause of the bear's decrease in population, making hunting seals more difficult as the ice caps melt.

Forest deer, wild boar and several species of owl can all be seen as you amble through the zoo. More unusual creatures that call the wildlife park home include the endangered musk capricorn, European mink and the Arctic fox.

There are several ongoing protection programs for the species that reside in the park, as many of them are listed as vulnerable or endangered. The zoo also participates in research projects to enable humankind to learn more about arctic animals from a safe distance while preserving their welfare.

Amethyst mines

The amethyst mines in Lampivaara and Pyhä-Luosto are outstanding displays of natural beauty, where visitors can learn more about the historic geode. Amethysts can be found across all continents and are known for their healing properties. Many people have believed in the energetic charge of crystals throughout history and have used them to improve their mental, and physical health.

Amethysts are most commonly linked with a reduction in stress and promoting a calm, and serene mind. It is also widely believed that amethyst can improve the quality of one's sleep. During ancient times, Greeks used the stone to purify their body of toxins.

Amethyst Mine excursions allow you to learn the fascinating history of this precious gem. You'll also head deep into the mine, where you'll have the privilege of digging your own piece of amethyst to keep as a memento from your trip. You'll understand the environmental impact of mining and how it can be done in an earth-conscious way.

Kemi Snow Castle

If you love building castles in the sand on your summer vacation, then you're bound to be impressed by the Kemi Snow Castle. This astounding structure is the largest snow fort in the world and measures up to 20,000 square meters. The snow castle is lovingly redesigned and rebuilt by a different architect every winter as the cold sets in, and the winter blizzards begin.

This tradition of building a giant snow fort began in 1996 and drew in over 300,000 visitors. Despite over 20 years of history, the castle still attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, desperate to catch a glimpse of this unusual phenomenon.

The layout changes significantly each year. Some creations have had three floors, all built completely from snow, while others had walls that stretched for 1,000 meters. Day trips to Kemi Snow Castle are fun and novel for all the family. You can dine in the snow restaurant, praise the intricacies of several ice sculptures or simply marvel at the structural integrity of the building.