Aurora borealis with silhouette of a couple.
Two people hiking on Backroads' trip.
Man on top of a rock in the autumn forest on a background of a beautiful lake.
Traditional Finnish fish soup with salmon "lohikeito" cooked at the campfire.
Two people saying cheers with white wine
Hikers in Pallas-Yllastunturi National Park, Lapland, Finland
Collecting and picking berries in the forest of northern Sweden, Lapland, Norrbotten
Red fox running on orange autumn leaves.
Closeup of red spotted mushroom.
View from the top of a rocky mountain over Lapland landscape in autumn.
Northern lights at night.
Winding river in pine forest in Northern Finland.
Close-up of a young reindeer eating grass and different shrubs during autumn sunrise at Ruka, Northern Finland, Europe
Hiking trail in misty Pallas Yllastunturi national park in Finnish arctic.
European blueberry with colorful autumn leaves covered with morning frost in Salla National Park, Northern Finland.
Lean-to shelter (or Finnish Laavu), traditional wooden building (log cabin) and resting zone in the middle of the evergreen pine forest.
Walking & Hiking
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Finland Northern Lights Walking & Hiking Tour

Brilliant Fall Colors & Landscapes beyond the Arctic Circle

Couples, Friends & Solos

6 days 5 nights

Activity Level: 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From: $4,899 - $5,099 pp dbl occ

Plus $900 internal air

($1,050 for sgl occ)

Venture to the aurora zone and beyond the Arctic Circle, trekking through the vibrant and mystifying landscapes of Finnish Lapland. It's an otherworldly dreamland with reindeer, mountain gorges and pristine boreal forest. The Northern Lights are pure magic, but so is the sauna culture and the region’s fascinating mythology.

Finland Northern Lights Walking and Hiking Tour
Finland Northern Lights Walking and Hiking Tour

Finland

Start/End Helsinki

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Highlights

  • Breathe some of the freshest air in the world as you hike through stunning mountains, gorges and forests colored by rich autumn hues
  • Behold the stunning northern lights in one of the world's best places for spotting this mesmerizing natural phenomenon (if luck is on our side!)
  • Discover insights into Sámi and Finnish culture—meet resident reindeer and sled dogs, trek through the home of gnomes or relax in a sauna
  • Stay in secluded hotels with incredible regional charm and expansive glass walls, perfect for taking in the arctic skies at any time

Itinerary

Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Description

Embark on a beautiful forest walk near the hamlet of Tepasto, passing atmospheric usnea (hanging moss), mushrooms and berries | According to Finnish mythology, gnomes are active in this region, and we have the opportunity to admire fascinating Maahisten Kalliot (Gnome’s Rocks) | Pause at the edge of a crystal blue river and take in views of Kaakkuri Pond | Witness an amazing display of autumn colors as the Arctic bearberry, bog bilberry and blueberry plants turn to beautiful shades of red | Walk from the shimmering shores of Vuontisjärvi Lake through the twisted trunks of an alpine birch forest | Climb to the historic Montell’s Hut, built in the early 1900s by a local and passionate botanist, and walk the Hetta-Pallas, Finland’s oldest hiking trail | End your day with a traditional Finnish sauna or a hot tub and an invigorating cold plunge.

Accommodations
View of fall tree from inside hotel room
Northern Lights Ranch
Köngäs
| Premiere Hotel

Located near the famous Finnish resort of Levi, this fantastically immersive retreat features cozy cabins with glass roofs and windows letting in exquisite vistas of your surroundings.

Day 3
Description

Journey through Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, known to have the most beautiful hills and mountains in Finland, and take in sweeping views of lush fall valleys | Joined by an expert local guide, hike through boreal forest and behold the colorful slopes of Ylläs fells | Visit Levi, home to Finland's largest ski resort | Hear the beautiful notes of a traditional Sámi singer at a kota (Finnish hut) before sitting down to a fresh Scandinavian-style dinner.

Accommodations
Interior hotel room with view of Aurora Borealis
Levin Iglut
Kittilä
| Premiere Hotel

Whether or not the northern lights come out to play, Levin Iglut's private glass domes are the perfect place to witness uninterrupted views anytime of day or night. 

Days 4-6
Description

Climb gently through brilliant coniferous forest and birch groves to Kätkä peak | Admire the sparkling waters of Immel Lake | Visit Rovaneimi, the official home of Santa Claus and the capital of Lapland | Stay in a treehouse suite with the chance to see the northern lights through a panoramic glass wall | Explore the wetlands, rivers and forests near Vikaköngäs, experiencing even more of the Arctic Circle's unique terrain | Follow the rapids of the River Vaattunki to crystal clear Olkkajärvi Lake and take in a kaleidoscope of autumn colors from Vaattunki Hill | Climb an observation tower used by bird-watchers for spectacular views of the aurora borealis (if luck is on our side!) | Get a fascinating view of the daily life of huskies and their mushers at a family-run kennel and go on an exhilarating cart ride | Visit the famous Arctic Circle Santa Claus Village, where it’s Christmas 365 days of the year.

Accommodations
View of Arctic Treehouse Hotel at sunset
Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
Arctic Circle
| Premiere Hotel

Experience the warmth and atmosphere of an unforgettable glass treehouse suite, with panoramic views of magnificent forest and the vast Arctic skies.

Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group

Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Activity Level: 1-3

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.

Daily Route Options

Day 1
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 2 miles | 100 ft. gain
Level 1 | 5 miles | 300 ft. gain
Day 2
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 4 miles | 600 ft. gain
Level 2 | 6 miles | 900 ft. gain
Day 3
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 3 miles | 400 ft. gain
Level 2 | 5 miles | 600 ft. gain
Level 3 | 8 miles | 900 ft. gain
Day 4
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 3 miles | 300 ft. gain
Level 2 | 5 miles | 600 ft. gain
Level 3 | 7 miles | 1000 ft. gain
Level 4 | 10 miles | 1500 ft. gain
Other
Sámi Musical Performance (1 hour)
Day 5
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 3 miles | 300 ft. gain
Level 2 | 6 miles | 700 ft. gain
Other
Finnish Sauna Experience (1.5 hours)
Day 6
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 3 miles | 600 ft. gain

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
  • Snacks and beverages between meals
  • Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
  • Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
  • Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
  • On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
  • Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
  • Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
  • Park and other entry fees
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
  • Select coach transfers
  • Baggage transfers and porterage

Straight talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Internal Flight

On this trip we travel by plane to reach the exclusive hotels and activities this destination has to offer. We'll be flying commercially with Finnair aboard a narrow-body jet that seats 141 passengers.

Arctic Circle Unpredictability

Our journey through the Nordic Lapland regions is a magical adventure full of the planet's most remarkable natural treasures. Northern lights are an incredible natural phenomenon and as such, are unpredictable. The probability of sightings are affected by weather, the phase of the moon and many other factors, so sightings are not guaranteed (our experience has been 50/50).

Accommodations & Meals

Luxury Lapland-style means modern, simple and uniquely appointed rooms. Please note that, due to the remoteness of our properties, breakfasts tend toward a local buffet-style affair and dinners are pre-ordered with limited-choice menus, which is simply a part of the cultural experience of Lapland.

Shuttle Time

To access the best routes and most unique hotels in this expansive region, we've incorporated multiple shuttles into your itinerary.

Ask a trip expert

Have a question and need expert advice? Our team of Trip Consultants is here to help! You can also visit our Help Center.

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