Ruka Riisitunturi National Park Review: Hiking & Lunch Included

Ruka Riisitunturi National Park, located up there in Finnish Lapland, is genuinely an incredible place that, honestly, showcases some spectacular natural beauty. This review is, in a way, focused on my personal experience taking a guided hike that, actually, came with a lunch, and it’s designed, really, to give you what could be valuable information if, basically, you’re considering visiting, or even thinking about doing a tour.

First Impressions: Getting to Ruka Riisitunturi

Alright, so getting to Ruka Riisitunturi can be pretty easy, or just a little tricky, actually, depending on where you’re traveling from. The nearest airport, Kuusamo Airport, is just a relatively short drive away, about 25 kilometers, and from there, you’ll find buses and taxis aplenty that, seemingly, will get you right to Ruka village which is just so close to the park. Renting a vehicle, for instance, might be the most practical idea, so that you can really have flexibility to explore more on your schedule. The route to Riisitunturi is quite scenic, that, as a matter of fact, allows you glimpses of the landscape as you get nearer, that, arguably, only amplifies the expectation.

Now, the first views of Riisitunturi really do not disappoint. During winter, which is really the peak season, the trees get so covered in this thick snow and frost, sort of, that they change into statues. This look is frequently referred to as “tykky” which happens to be quite magical. Upon arrival, there is quite a palpable sense of just natural magnificence—a truly striking landscape, so it feels miles away from just ordinary life. If you are there off-season, so you won’t catch quite the snow-covered sights, the hiking trails are very nice to see when they’re free of heavy snow, they display just lush greenery and open scenic views.

The Hiking Experience: Trails and Scenery

Alright, so the hiking routes really are for any and all, very diverse to accommodate folks of differing experience levels. There is a selection from short, quite easy paths right near the park entrance up to longer, actually pretty hard treks which bring you deep inside the hills. I would really recommend getting hold of a map, or rather downloading one, prior to heading off; trail markings are, generally, decent, but it is also quite nice to be sure. This trip that included lunch, we were taking, followed a moderately difficult path; yet, was appropriate even for novice hikers just like me and several folks in the group. As I was saying, our guide was so familiar with the trails and could talk more about all the plant and animal life which helped greatly improve the hike. We also were picking berries as we were going — they had just tiny, tiny, delicious blueberries that grew all over, basically!

What actually sets Riisitunturi apart really has to be the views. As one goes up the fells, this expansive vista unfolds, showcasing countless trees and tranquil lakes. The park features just so many different landscapes, and in one place you could be moving through really dense woods, and then move on to these quite open spaces with endless skies. During the colder months, of course, these views become something special when all is shrouded with snow; and if there’s some fog, so it could also add a certain mystical appearance to everything. I remember reaching one hilltop when the fog started clearing and there it was — absolutely unbelievable!

Mid-Hike Delight: Lunch in the Wilderness

Oh my gosh, lunch truly turned out to be, too, a spotlight moment, like your lunch wasn’t any packed meal grabbed anyplace; it absolutely was organized at the quite rustic looking shelter. They had lit a fireplace and the entire experience had that warm-sort-of conventional Finnish texture about it. So the menu frequently features conventional Finnish dishes. Think about grilled sausages, so there was reindeer meat, with rye bread, perhaps some warming berry juice that was really needed following hiking. To my surprise, also vegetarian choices did occur. That’s too it all had such a great smoky smell; actually that was amplified via all around clear, northern surroundings. Actually, talking alongside some other travelers, sharing reviews, it really boosted friendship among folks. So it felt very satisfying, like just filling both physically and emotionally; it was great break.

Flora and Fauna: Spotting Local Wildlife

Ruka Riisitunturi doesn’t provide the best animal view, even though, still you do get opportunities viewing wild creatures, or seeing at any rate traces regarding them, if you’re aware and also simply so peaceful! Keep attention regarding reindeer especially in northern reaches of park; they could tend going wandering there especially searching meals in colder months. A bit of caution will be great in direction of noises created since they are simply fairly scared very easily by people; you will scare them when they go out for a stroll by loudly passing. More animals include different little species of birds as well as smaller mammals such like arctic hares too it’s almost various species regarding rodents! Should luck appear in order too you’re simply actually still on location while observing some then obviously maintain distance by just any such untamed creatures – respect definitely plays part keeping habitats organic.

Also plants here remain quite special as well: region is actually at house toward plenty rare variety especially bogs which support some intriguing lives. During our visit specifically those lovely blooming kinds involving orchids were truly amazing though most generally; one observes evergreens – spruces, pine then birches specifically these that display distinctive frosty forms whenever frosty weeks turn-out, truly improving charm thereabouts!

Tips for Visiting Ruka Riisitunturi National Park

Okay, so thinking about coming, here’s what could be some very important advice. For starters, appropriate gear definitely really does affect it. No matter time annually which that takes place-robust boots particularly crucial thinking those irregular landscapes plus often muddy, icy or just covered inside snow pistes you could locate along. As the climate at these destinations, can typically just quite rapidly transition that layering up is typically smart especially too think bringing wind coupled together rainy repellent shells- it is virtually essential especially since also days might show clear yet temperatures possibly turn sharply cooler, extremely high upwards.

Water, even some tiny bite too absolutely remain necessary irrespective when selecting guided or any completely independent paths for the length there; sustenance assists especially while long treking. It really doesn’t always require some meal, small sustenance- power pubs snacks nuts absolutely can actually continue ranges steady whenever power degrees tend dropping notably swiftly whilst in journey’s course.

It’s smart keeping the entirely recharged handheld coupled possessing maps ( or downloads thereof available beforehand onto the smartphones ); those signage happens well sufficient they may certainly not continue completely existing during a handful spots – primarily for more away route routes that often not marked that way well, thus being totally secure implies preparing carefully.

Final Thoughts: Is the Ruka Riisitunturi Hike with Lunch Worth It?

So to answer your most burning question? Absolutely, the tour over at Ruka Riisitunturi National Park, particularly, by having that included lunch, definitely deserves every bit of one’s effort plus coin. Such experiences seamlessly fuse picturesque landscape views right there with gastronomic adventure – definitely offers simply both enjoyable- relaxation which is something any type of traveler most assuredly might certainly highly take pleasure especially after long trekking spans; it just stands besides only pure visits that are simple.

While scenery actually does stay awesome definitely some genuine warmth that develops around the dinner break specifically that fosters connectivity among site visitors creates for additional outstanding impressions! It presents fantastic introductions towards Finnish tradition which is an exciting, remarkable immersion within the neighborhood in several really interesting forms. So in short for any wanting unforgettable journeys that combine nature right within just their meal this should definitely rank relatively quite much towards their preferred selection options there by locations everywhere presently! Consider trying that in every other single means since there isn’t any similar replacement – the combination basically produces some genuinely wonderful travel memories.

• Breathtaking Scenery: Witness the iconic “tykky” formations during winter and expansive views year-round.
• Varied Hiking Trails: Trails are available that fit every experience from novice to experienced.
• Cultural Immersion: Traditional Finnish lunch in a rustic setting really connects to culture.
• Wildlife Spotting: Observe local reindeer and other animal plus plant species if you look.
• Memorable Experience: An activity combining exercise along with visual and culinary delights generates a unique connection with your surroundings.