My co-author Jenni has seen and written plenty of cup-marked stones so this autumn I made up my mind to see them, too. As I was passing by Hartola, I decided to check out the…
Sacrificial cup-marked stones of Hartola
Hossa National Park is a national treasure
One of the most spectacular places to experience a connection with our human history is at Hossa National Park in Suomussalmi. We had decided to hike the popular yet moderately demanding 8km (4.9mi) long Värikallion…
Watch out for the deadliest mushrooms in Finland
Are you familiar with the deadliest mushrooms that grow in Finland? Mushroom foraging is my most beloved pastime in Finland, where the pristine forests offer plenty of delicious fungi. However, this activity comes with a…
Fascinating Rekottila Bronze Age ruins and rock paintings
Nestled in the countryside of Paimio, Southwest Finland, lies a site steeped in history and mystery: Rekottila. It is home to ancient rock paintings, the remnants of a possible castle, and burial cairns dating back…
The sacred Suojanperä seida rock guards Nitsijärvi lake
We were driving along Sevettijärventie road in the very top of Finland. Having noticed a small mention of a sacred Sámi site at Nitsijärvi lake, we decided to stop by to check it out. We…
Parikkala sculpture park is weird, wonderful, and surprisingly thought provoking
Not all places we write about are about the solitude of nature. No, definitely not. One important aspect of being out in the nature is to see how nature is incorporated into our society. Well,…
Piiskoomänty whipping pine is a remnant of historical punishments
Standing next to an old building is a large pine tree which looks deceptively benign to the uninformed visitor. I was visiting Kuortane in the Southern Ostrobothnia region and had read of an old whipping…
Why fireweed is better than large-leaved lupine in Finland
Have you ever considered why fireweed is better than large-leaved lupine in Finland? Large-leaved lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus), komealupiini in Finnish, is a strikingly beautiful North American plant that has earned a bad reputation in Finland.…
Finland’s largest tree is the magnificent Tsaarinpoppeli at Heinola
The largest tree in Finland stretches its long branches over the waterside park at Heinola. This famous tree is called Tsaarinpoppeli (Czar's Poplar tree in English), and it has survived floods and devastation for hundreds…
Someron Koirametsä dog forest: Where dogs and nature meet
Someron Koirametsä, also known as Somero Dog Forest, is a recently opened gem that offers a delightful forest retreat for dogs and their owners. Located in the small town of Somero, in Proper Finland, between…