Activities in North Central Finland
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Cycling & Cycling Paths
One of Oulu's best features is the extensive network of wonderful bicycle paths - routinely praised as the best local cycling routes in Finland. Nowhere is the Finns' love of two-wheeled transport more obvious than here in summer. Bike paths cross bridges, waterways and islands and can take you all the way out to surrounding villages.
A good easy ride is from the kauppatori (market square), across the bridge to Pikisaari and across another bridge to Nallikari where there's a good beach facing the Gulf of Bothnia.
Bikes can be hired from the train station, and bikes and rollerblades can be hired from shop 24 at the kauppatori. Nallikari Camping rents out bikes but only to g…
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Kaustinen Folk Music Festival
The Kaustinen Folk Music Festival is one of the most beloved of summer festivals in Finland, attracting huge crowds. It's the place to be if you're interested in Finnish folk music and dance, since some 300 Finnish bands (and many international acts) perform more than 250 concerts during the week in mid-July. At any time between 10:00 and 03:00 there are several official concerts and half a dozen impromptu jam sessions going on.
Folk dance performances are also an integral part of the festival, with everything from Celtic and Latin dancing alongside Finnish dance.
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Sampo Tours
The highlight of a visit to Kemi in winter is a trip aboard the Sampo, the only Arctic icebreaker in the world that accepts passengers. The four-hour cruise includes ice swimming in special drysuits, as well as a walk on the ice - a remarkable experience.
The best time to go is when the ice is thickest, which is usually in March. Contact Sampo Tours. Departures are from Ajos Harbour, 15km south of Kemi, where you'll also find the Sampo out to pasture in summer, when it operates as a restaurant.
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Green Zone Golf Course
Haparanda’s primary attraction, other than shopping, is its unique golf course. The Green Zone Golf Course lies right on the border with Finland, and during a full round of golf the border is crossed four times. Around Midsummer you can play under the midnight sun; book in advance.
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Safaris Unlimited
River-rafting trips are popular in summer on the Kukkolankoski. Various trips use either inflatable rubber rafts or traditional wooden boats. Safaris Unlimited also has kayaking trips, and offers winter excursions such as snowmobile, reindeer and husky safaris.
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Potnapekka Tourist Trolley
The 'Potnapekka' - a tourist trolley - travels around in summer, from Rotuaari pedestrian street to Hupisaaret island or Nallikari beach. The fare is for both routes; departures are from Rotuaari every hour on the hour, daily from early June to early August.
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Fishing
Fishing for perch and pike is popular at Pajakkakoski near the town centre and at Lentuankoski north of town. Check with Kainuu Nature Centre or the tourist office about permits. There's a complex series of them depending on which stretches you want to fish.
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Golf Course
This famous golf course straddling Finland and Sweden, allowing you to fire shots into a different country and time zone. You’ll need a Green Card or handicap certificate to play. There’s also a driving range and pitch ’n’ putt course here.
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Lapin Kulta Brewery
Lapin Kulta Brewery, founded in 1873, was the original home of the ubiquitous Lappish lager and still produces some. Hour-long free tours of the brewery begin at the front gate at 1pm on Tuesday and Thursday from late June to late August.
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Kitkan Safarit
Arranges whitewater rafting along the Kitkajoki and Oulankajoki, and rents canoes and kayaks. A short ‘family’ paddle costs €25 per person, the two-hour ‘wild route’ is €50, the four-hour complete route is €70, and canoeing on the Oulankajoki is €40.
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Walking
Just north of the City centre and connected by small bridges, Hupisaaret Island is a pleasant city park with bike paths, greenhouses, a summer café and the Ainola Park. It's a popular place for strolling in summer.
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Pohjolan Safarit/Nordic Safaris
River-rafting is popular in summer on the Kukkolankoski. Trips are run byPohjolan Safarit/Nordic Safaris from around €45 to €75 per person, using inflatable rubber rafts or traditional wooden boats.
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Rukapalvelu
Comprehensive range from husky and snowmobile safaris to winter and summer fishing, canoeing, and rapids-floating. It also arranges trips to Russia to see breathtakingly pretty Karelian villages (visa required).
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Vesi Veijari Swimming Centre
In winter or if you need a sauna, the newly remodelled Vesi Veijari swimming centre has waterslides, Jacuzzi and three different kinds of sauna (infrared was a little too weird for us).
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JukuPark
JukuPark has reopened with family fun including water slides, racing tracks and pirate ship. The 18-hole golf course wanders pleasantly between the forest and beach.
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Ruka Safaris
Located at the hairpin on the way up to Ruka fell. Wide range of summer and winter activities including reindeer safaris, fishing, canoeing, and they have their own accommodation and restaurant.
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NorthTrek
Offers family-friendly rafting, canoeing and hiking trips. In winter it’s snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, huskies and snow ponies.
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Arctic Safaris
On the main road at Ruka turn-off. Big and reliable Lapland operator with full range of winter and summer activities.
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Stella Polaris
On the main highway at the Ruka turnoff is Stella Polaris. It offers rafting, fishing, walking, climbing, canoeing.
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MS Alexandra Cruises
From May to October the MS Alexandra cruises the Oulu archipelago, with daily departures from the kauppatori.
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Wild Brown Bear
There are bears in the Kuhmo region, and Wild Brown Bear runs excursions to watch them (if you are lucky).
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Green Line Safaris
This tour operator specialises in fishing and ice-fishing, as well as offering canoeing and sledding.
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M/S Jenny
The M/S Jenny does day-trips to Tankar island. On Thursdays, it sails down the coast to Jakobstad.
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Kesport
Bicycles can be hired from Kesport on the kauppatori for €15 per day.
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