Finland is a green, water-rich country. The forests consist of conifers and birches. We have never seen that many birch trees. Finland also seems to have a problem with forests. We saw several open areas where you could see that trees had been cut down or trees had died. We did not find out whether the trees were sick or some other circumstance.
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Savonlinna - small town with an Ordensburg
On the way to Savonlinna we did a complete service again. If our toilet weren't on every 2 days, we could stay somewhere much longer and not just 2 days. Well, maybe that will change in November. Around the corner from the service station there was a Lidl and we needed a few more things. Sebastian then went shopping and came back with delicious things. There were gluten free wraps and bread mix !! Totally great, like at home.
We parked a little further and made our way to the castle. The houses by the water and near the castle were pretty cute and made of wood. One house had a larger garden with some figures on display. For example an elephant and a reindeer made from wire mesh. They looked very interesting. When we arrived at the castle, we were slowed down again by the fact that no dog was allowed on the premises. So we just walked around on the small island in front of it and took pictures of the outside.
Back at the parking lot we met again briefly Pietstraumreise, who also wanted to see the castle from the outside. After briefly considering in which direction we should continue, we decided on the direction of the Russian border. We want to go to Mount Koli the next day. We spend the night in Reijola in a parking lot near a hotel. There's a swimming lake nearby, but it's too cold to go in.
There is a drop point for disc golfers right next to the parking lot. We have already seen several disc golf courses, but this is the first time that one is actively used. Several groups ran past us again and again and played. It looks so interesting that we will buy a disc at the next opportunity and try out such a system. They even played in the dark, then the discs are illuminated!
Koli National Park - a small mountain with a great view
On the way to the Koli we were briefly at a prism because I still needed a few things. The first thing Basti said was that I should have a look at such a Frisbee. Then we had already thought about adding a hammock after seeing how cozy something like this can be at Pietstraumreise. So Basti said I should have a look afterwards and choose my birthday present myself. Since a prism is built like a real in Germany, I naturally found what I was looking for.
When we arrived at Koli, we took the lift up the little mountain. There is a small circular route here, which we then walked. The weather was great, the sun was shining with a few small clouds. It was a bit twisted, but you could walk around in your T-shirt. There are various viewpoints on this circular route, from where you have a wide view of the large lake with its many small islands.
It was unbelievable that there are so many flying ants up here. Almost as bad as mosquitoes. As soon as you sit somewhere, you are already being flown to and full of the little things. The small circular route has a length of approx. 1.4 km and goes over stick and stone and roots. On the other hand, you have a view of the surrounding area, which mainly consists of forest. There is a large wooden cross with a knee bench where believers can say a little prayer. We then walked back to the bus via the access road.
Our next overnight place was directly on a lake, which was public and freely accessible bathing facility. Since the weather was so good, there was still a lot going on here in the early evening and many went swimming. What was also funny about our place was that we actually had a disc golf course here. Of course we had to try out our new discs. We did three baskets two laps and sweated. It takes a lot of effort to get the disc to where it's supposed to go. The technique is also not that simple and we needed twice the number of throws than stated. And then you walk a lot. It was definitely fun and a nice experience.
Hepoköngäs waterfall - the highest in Finland
We slept well that night and Basti first went swimming before the big rush came. Unfortunately, the poor man also had sore muscles from throwing the disc. I didn't understand because I had nothing until then. My sore muscles came a day later and was really mean.
We drove a little over 2 hours to look at the waterfall in Hepoköngäs. On the way, we did some services so that we could be free for the next two days. At first we thought about spending the night here by the waterfall in the parking lot. But as soon as we open the doors, mosquitoes arrive again. First we went towards the waterfall and later wanted to think about where we would spend the night.
You could already hear the waterfall from the parking lot and when we were there we were very impressed. The waterfall is 24 meters high and also the highest in Finland. It was incredibly loud through the crowds rushing down there. Sebastian took pictures and if one wanted something from the other, you had to shout at the masses of water. When the water fell, we got a lot of spray mist on the other side, so Basti had to dry his lens again and again. After a long photo session we walked back by bus and thought about not sleeping here. After a short search, Basti found a parking space by a lake in Suomussalmi.
More information about the You can find the Hepoköngas waterfall here.
Suomussalmi - relaxation by the lake
On the way to Suomussalmi, Basti said that it would be a typical picture to photograph the van next to a huge pile of wood. We then saw several such huge piles of wood and turned it around once to park the bus next to it. Until then we hadn't seen any reindeer either. When we arrived at the parking lot, we had both. We once had the photo with the huge pile of wood and our polar bear and of course our first reindeer. But the reindeer all had a collar on, in other words, they must also belong to someone.
At the lake we found a wonderful place with direct access to the water. It was incredibly beautiful, in the middle of the forest and by the lake. We worked a lot over the 2 days, we went a bit, tried our new hammock and went swimming. The weather had cooperated well, so it was also pleasant. The rest did us good. There were still a few campers on the area, but we were all so far apart that you could only see each other from a distance.
Oulanka National Park - Kiutaköngäs waterfall and the canyon of Finland
On the way to the Kiutaköngäs waterfall, where we wanted to meet our friend Sonja, we saw a couple of reindeer on the side of the road. Isolated street signs show us that we have arrived in reindeer land. They show Finland, with the upper half being black, with the addition that this is a reindeer herding area. In addition, there is a caution reindeer sign next to it.
The weather today is not that great and so it is very good that we have a little day of driving, go shopping and then meet up with Sonja this afternoon in the Oulanka National Park. We met Sonja at the parking lot of the Kiutaköngäs waterfall and then walked towards the waterfall. There were 2 reindeer at the kiosk in the parking lot, one of which was a young animal. Finja was only curious when she smelled the two of them (was on the leash and pulled). But when the mother raised her head in our direction, Finja hid behind our legs. Seemed to be too big for her after all.
The waterfall itself was very disappointing. Although it was wide, it fell very low and had little water.
On the way to this waterfall we saw a small ground hut, which was covered with moss and grass and had an entrance from the path. A sign next to it indicates that there were probably war surveillance houses. On the opposite side of the door there was a slot in the wooden wall that served as an observation post. From there you could watch the river and the lake well. And the Russian border is not far.
After the waterfall was so disappointing, we thought about where to stay. Since we want to walk a 6 km long circular route along the canyon in the Oulanka National Park in Finland the next day, we have agreed that we will spend the night in the parking lot directly there. On the way up to then we saw more reindeer on the road. Sometimes it is a bit dangerous when they appear next to and on the street, because sometimes you cannot distinguish the color from the surroundings.
The next day we did the 6 km round trip with Sonja. The round was really nice and went through the forest. We passed a lake, crossed a small river, and then stood high above the canyon. The river was well filled and had some rapids so the sides were washed out properly. On the way we saw national park employees repairing wooden stairs. The weather wasn't that great, it was cloudy and fresh too, but running kept us warm. Finja also had fun and let off steam in the forest.
You can find more pictures in the Finland photo gallery.
