Autumn in Lapland – A Leaf Peeper’s Paradise

Leaf peepers flock from around the world to Ruka, Lapland, in September to watch as the surrounding forests, which stretch as far as the eye can see, turn a magnificent range of reds, oranges and yellows.

Ruska, as it is known in Finland, occurs around the middle of September, lasting for 3 to 4 weeks and is a wonderful time of year to visit Lapland. The mosquitoes are all but gone, the weather is no longer so hot and the nights are once again dark after the 24 hours of daylight we get in June and July. It is the perfect time to go hiking through the forests or head for higher ground to get a broader look as the surrounding wilderness turns a startling array of colours. The ski resort of Ruka is the perfect base for all this.

With an elevation of 500 meters in an otherwise fairly flat area, Ruka affords a clear view of miles upon miles of beautiful forest stretching as far as the eye can see and also offers the chance to get more up close with several hiking trails through the forests running straight from Ruka and plenty more in the surrounding area.

It’s Not Just About The Trees

In Lapland, it isn’t just the trees that change colour but the forest floor as well. Far from being a bare and empty place shaded and dead beneath a canopy of branches, it is alive with blueberry, cloudberry, crowberry and cranberry plants and hundreds of other species of plant and herb, all trailing over the forest floor. Here, they perform their own lower level ‘ruska’ show of reds and oranges as you walk through the forests, pass rivers and lakes.

The Karhunkieros, an 80km hiking trail through the Oulanka National Park starts in Ruka, as do a number of shorter trails, taking you over fells, through valleys, along side swamps, over rivers and passed waterfalls, all the while staying in or climbing above a glorious, colourful forest. As well as the plants and trees you may well come across reindeer, moose and otter as you make your way along these beautiful trails.

Edible mushrooms such as porcini and Russula decolorans are also common through out the forest at this time of the year and under the law of Everyman’s Right, you may pick and eat as many as you like. Although it is advisable to be sure about what you’re eating as the Korvasieni, or false morel, which is edible only if you boil it twice for 5 minutes and change the water each time, otherwise it is deadly, grows here too.

For None Hikers

If hiking doesn’t appeal to you, you can always take a leisurely canoe trip down the gentle rivers lined with forests or maybe take a wilder approach and go white water rafting down some of the more lively sections of river. There are also bear watching trips, ATV safari’s and trips to Russia as well as Finnish sauna and lake swimming to experience, golf, bird watching and fishing.

To find out more about Ruka, Lapland and to start planning your holiday visit www.rukakuusamo.com