Wild Taiga travel guide

It definitely feels wild up in these parts, where you can go hiking through boreal forests, stay up all night in bear watching hides, snowshoe across frozen lakes, canoe alongside whooper swans and listen out for wolves. Following the Russian border up towards Arctic climes, you will never tire of the taiga.

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Wild Taiga travel guide

Finland has a national epic poem, The Kalevala, written by Elias Lönnrot and published in 1835. It was inspired by his travels in the far north of Finland in this spectacular terrain that has become known as the Wild Taiga. Extending along the Russian border in the east, its thick forests, lakes and rivers – habitat for bears, deer, wolves and moose – certainly make for epic experiences. Stretching from Kuhmo to Suomussalmi it dominates Finland’s Kainuu region.

The Wild Taiga is right up on the Russia border. But forget any notion of Cold War. This is crisp, crunchy, cold peace.

Don’t be overawed by the word epic however, as you can break it all down into sublime stanzas, be it canoeing across remote lakes, experiencing ancient and contemporary culture, staying up all night to watch bears emerge from their ancient habitats, snow shoeing through perfectly snow laden forests, hiking with huskies or seeing the Northern Lights. Put Sibelius’ Karelia Suite on your MP3 player for this one, also inspired by these far out landscapes for the perfect epic soundtrack.

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Wild Taiga is...

a whole other world in winter. Swap bears for bracing snow shoeing expeditions, canoes for huskies. Either way, it’s wild and wonderful.

Wild Taiga isn't...

exactly easy to get to. Flying to Kuusamo usually involves a change or two, but when you get there, you will forget all notions of time.

Things to do in Wild Taiga…

Wild Taiga is hiking terrain, particularly through its recently designated Hossa National Park. Hike along the shores of Lake Somerjärvi or the more extensive Itäraja Summer Hiking Route which starts in Hossa and links up with the UKK National Trail that continues to Kuhmo. You can even go hiking with huskies, keeping them busy and fit between winter sledding seasons. In winter, don cross country skis or snow shoes, especially during February and March, when the trails are at their best. For full on wilderness you can travel from one wilderness hut to another, with your bags transported for you, as you ski through untouched heathland, snow shoe across frozen wetlands and through blanketed ancient forests of Hossa or Riisitunturi National Parks. And of course, you will always be in with a chance of catching the Northern Lights too. Wild Taiga’s ancient boreal forests are habitat for brown bear, and are also well set up to host wildlife watching holidays, accommodating you in back to nature overnight hides with local naturalist guides. Because you definitely want to be in a warm, safe and hidden spot when the bears come out to feed, mate or just generally mark their taiga territory. Read more about the experience of bear watching from Responsible Travel’s founder, Justin Francis.

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Things not to do in Wild Taiga

Assume it’s just for earthy hikers and birdwatchers. Wild Taiga is wonderful for family holidays where you want to detox from all things digital and just let your little ones find the feral within. Hossa National Park is all about staying in log cabins, canoeing across glassy lakes, snow shoeing and igloo building. And hiking or riding with huskies is one of the best ways to travel, too. Ignore the fact that the Wild Taiga is seriously remote. You need to respect nature. In winter, you need snow tyres, preferably with studs. Engine heaters are the norm and be wary of black ice. But holiday companies are switched on to any dangers. Be wary of wildlife too, as collisions with deer are common and moose can do serious damage. So take it easy out there, and learn to be bear aware. Forget to pack insect repellent. And a hardcore one, too. Mosquitoes in late June-July are vicious, so keep your body well covered, bringing a net for nighttime wanderings if possible. Be aware that some bear hides do not allow the use of mosquito repellent, or perfume, or any sorts of noise. Even noisy cameras. Although unlikely if you are committed to responsible tourism, if by any chance you are tempted to buy Finnish fur as a souvenir, beware that it might be from one of Finland’s fur farms, which do not have good reputations for animal welfare practices.

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Written by Catherine Mack

Wild Taiga travel guide