 Best of Northern Finland
Eight coolest things to do in Northern Finland this summer. White-water rafting
 Cold water splashing down your face, the guide shouting instructions, your raft bouncing in the rapids, and you feel like you're going to capsize any minute. Adrenaline courses through your veins. White-water rafting just couldn't get any better than this. The best white-waters of the North can be found in Kuusamo, in the north-eastern part of Finland, and West Lapland. Kuusamo boasts Finland's two most noteworthy rapids, Kiutaköngäs and Jyrävä, but they are out of bounds for most. Only a few people have paddled down Kiutaköngäs, north-eastern part of Finland, and only one person ever has conquered Jyrävä. The border rivers of West Lapland offer the best action for those not wishing to fear for their lives. Pättikkäkoski, Äijäkoski and Kukkolankoski are all in the top league. Experienced white-water kayakers will find plenty of challenges in the northern rapids, whether going for white-water paddling or freestyle kayaking. See www.laplandfinland.com for information on white-water rafting, canoe touring and other Lapland activities. Weather updates and information on accommodation are also available. Midnight golf
Awesome views across the fells, a sparkling lake and natural light throughout the night - what more could any golfer want? See www.levi.fi for midnight golf, hiking and other summer activities. Mountain biking on the fells
Biking on Lapland's fells is a breath-taking experience. Enontekiö is the self-proclaimed Mecca of mountain biking, with good reason. Treeless highlands, reindeer trails and forest tracks crisscrossing the sandy heaths, tracks opened by the Germans during the war in the North-West of Lapland, and the reindeer herders' routes with their narrow wooden walkways, or duckboards, offer fantastic opportunities for mountain biking in the wilds. If you want to try something exotic, check out the "mountain road" from Kåfjord by the Arctic Sea up to the Guolasjärvi lake. From there, the route continues as a wellkept cross-country and ATV track to Somasjärvi, east of the Halti fell in Finland. See matkailu.enontekio.fi for tourist information on the Enontekiö region and information on mountain biking routes. Horseback trail riding
Taking in the northern scenery on horseback is an ideal choice. Small, sturdy and good natured Icelandic horses are great for experiencing Lapland's nature, whatever the season. One of the companies offering trail riding is Trekking Horses Lapland Ltd, based near the Ylläs holiday resort in Kolari and offering a range of routes. Trail rides range from a two-hour trek to a five-day camping trip to the north-west of Finnish Lapland. Five-day rides are available from mid-August to mid-September, during the best trekking season. The riders follow the guide on trails and forest tracks on Icelandic horses that have been matched according to the riders' skills. The shorter treks are also suitable for novice riders. See www.lapinvaellushevoset.fi for informationon cross-country riding tours. Fishing
One of Finland's top fishing spots can be found in the Tornion-Muonionjoki, the longest free flowing salmon river in Europe. For its entire length of 450 kilometres, this waterway offers everything from rapids of no more than 100 metres in width to still waters stretching to up to a kilometre from bank to bank. The Tornion-Muonionjoki marks the border between Finland and Sweden. In addition to salmon, the river is well-populated with sea trout and grayling. Another legendary spot can be found on the Tenojoki. Here the native fish species include the Artic char, grayling, trout and salmon. The permitted fishing methods are lure-fishing, spinning and fly-fishing. See www.villipohjola.fi for fishing advice and tips, fishing areas and permits. Information on wilderness cabins and pre-booked cabins is also available. Karhunkierros Trail
Find out for yourself how the rugged scenery, fairytale forests, undisturbed silence of the wilderness and tumult of the rapids can evoke a sense of quiet wonder. At three in the morning, with the soft sunlight gently falling from the sky, nature feels more serene than at any other time. The best known hiking trail in Kuusamo,in the north-eastern part of Finland, and in the country for that matter, is Karhunkierros. Depending on your starting point, this is a 70- or 80-kilometre circular trail, winding through Oulanka National Park. Hiking the entire route will take 3-7 days, depending on your level of fitness. A day trekker can get a taste of the wilderness along Pieni Karhunkierros, a shorter circular route that offers plenty of challenges and awe-inspiring moments. Karhunkierros mainly follows waterways through the uninhabited wilds. The route offers variable elevations, and trekking the entire length of the trail will require both previous experience of walking and a good level of fitness. Several wilderness cabins and lean-to shelters can be found along the trail, with a day's walking between them. However, you may want to carry a tent during the busiest summer months, when the cabins quickly fill up. See www.ruka.fi for information on activities in the Ruka and Kuusamo region. 
Berry and mushroom picking
Everybody is allowed to pick berries and mushrooms in the Finnish forests. Foraging not only provides great exercise but also gives you the chance to bring home a bounty of healthy, fresh food. Did you know that the cloudberry, or hilla, contains 3-4 times more vitamin C than the orange? Blueberries contain plenty of vitamins A and B, manganese, fibre and flavonoids. They are also a good source of vitamin C, magnesium and calcium. Lingonberry is similarly filled with wholesome ingredients. Lingonberry jam is enjoyed all over Scandinavia with many different dishes, particularly as a condiment for reindeer and blood sausages. The cep is almost certainly one of the most desirable of Finnish forest mushrooms. In recent years, Italians in particular have discovered the Finnish cep, travelling to the north to pick this wild mushroom, which has earned cult status in Italy. Significant numbers of cep are also exported to Italy. See www.metla.fi for annual calculations of berry and mushroom availability.
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