Winter Wonderland Hike In A National Park

What a fun outing end of February. Stopped each way about halfway to/from Helsinki for restroom and any snacks. Our guide was fun, lots of good info, yummy lunch, and well worth heading out of Helsinki on this guided forest tour. Even provided spikes to put over boots so less slippery on ice. Brought hiking poles but didn’t need them.

When you read guides about visiting Finland, one thing they frequently say is that to truly appreciate Finland you have to get out of the city and into nature. With that in mind, I booked a winter hike with Taiga Times. The trip was advertised by my hostel in Helsinki, so finding and booking the experience was quite easy. Taiga Times caps the number of participants in each excursion at eight, which is the number of seats in their van. In my group, there were three of us, plus our guide. Each person in the group was from a different country, so the experience was culturally interesting. The tour was conducted in English. Our guide, Mari, met us in front of the Kiasma Museum in Helsinki promptly at 9:00 am, and we traveled from there to Liesjärvi National Park, about a 1.5 hour drive from the city. Mari used this time to get to know each of us. She asked where we were from, what we did for a living, what brought us to Finland, and what our hiking experience was. By the time we got to the park, it felt as if we knew each other fairly well. I also understand that these questions helped Mari judge our physical abilities and limitations and helped her plan the hike accordingly. Speaking of Mari, she was incredible. She is a young woman studying to become a licensed nature guide. She exhibited thorough knowledge of the flora and fauna in the national park, but she was also friendly and quite good and facilitating conversations among the hikers. I hope that the owners of Taiga Times recognize what an asset they have in Mari! I went on my hike in early March, which is not exactly an ideal season. During that part of the year, the snow melts during the day and refreezes at night. The Liesjärvi hikes start out on a trail that is paved for accessibility. The company's reasoning is that this gives people of all different ability levels a chance to experience a nature hike. This is absolutely commendable, but travelers need to be aware that the melting/refreezing process makes a paved trail particularly icy in March. I am a fairly active person, but I was worn out and sore by the end of the hike, all from engage muscles differently than I usually do because I was navigating the ice. This is not a negative, but it is something you probably want to be aware of. Taiga Times advertises that they provide a traditional Finnish lunch in the forest as part of the experience. This was one of the best parts of the trip. Mari started a campfire in a shelter and heated up a lunch that had been homemade by the Taiga Times owners. I won't tell you what we had, because I got the sense that some elements were intended to be a bit of a surprise. But as I said, lunch was one of the best aspects of the experience! Mari dropped us off back in front of the Kiasma at 4:00 pm. I went back to my hostel and crashed for the evening, having had a pleasant and fulfilling experience in a Finnish forest.

Great location, informative guide, fun day to see off the beat and path, non crowded nature and beauty! Great tour!

Fantastic day, knowledgeable tour guide Marie and a lovely hike. Good lunch too. Warm boots and gloves provided. Would recommend.

One of the absolute highlights of our trip. A magical walk through the forest, delicious home made mushroom soup and cinnamon cake warmed on the fire washed down by traditional blueberry juice. Our guide was passionate and super friendly and we had the most memorable day. Thank you so much. Best wishes from Scotland,

What a fantastic tour. Had a wonderful day exploring Liesjärvi National Park with our guide Jeff. A perfect day trip from Helsinki. The small group size made it very personalised. Jeff was very knowledgeable, passionate and really in tune with the environment of the park and Finland in general. Jeff shared lots of treasures in the park that we would not otherwise have even noticed were there. We identified birds and examined tracks of other animals in the snow. The pace of the walk was great and the Finnish style lunch around the cosy campfire was generous and filling. All I can say is go ahead and do this tour - you won't regret it! Thanks Jeff!!

Really beautiful landscape. Mari, our guide, was brilliant. Lovely food and fire inside the wilderness hut

It was the nicest experience in Finland. It’s good to understand and see the nature of Finland and taste the best food. The guide Mari is very good. She is kind and knowledgeable. We have a nice time. Will come back in spring.

Be patient. Depending on the time of year, the beauty and wonder will unfold differently for you. Our guide, Mari, was a gem. The random group drawn together that day- gracious. I can't believe my good fortune with the company I had along with weather that was absolutely breathtaking, not merely from the cold. This is not a fast-tourism experience. Being in nature is what you make of it. Come with curiosity and wonder. In this winter excursion, the snowy trail along with the bright and crisp air made us move slower, gave us time to be present and observe the gifts of the season. Do take this adventure, leave behind notions of being entertained and allow nature to bathe you in peace and wonder. A lovely activity.

Everything is well organized and our guide was SUPER! We really enjoyed the experience and suggest it to everybody interested in nature and trekking! We were also lucky enough to see the park full covered in snow which Made it even more beautiful

Amazing experience, would 100% recommend it to anyone. Our guide, Marie, was very friendly and knowledgeable and cooked a lovely hot lunch for us in the tipi. The group was small (only 8 people), thus making the experience very enjoyable. The park was also very quiet and peaceful. Very easy walking route and the scenery is stunning. Something you shouldn’t miss when visiting Finland.

The tour, expertly guided by Alex, was exceptional, a testament to his passion for his profession. Unfortunately, there was no snow during our visit due to natural circumstances. Nevertheless, the hike through the national park was truly picturesque. The lunch provided was freshly prepared on-site and was exceptionally delicious.

Tour guide was very friendly and knowledgable. He made us a delicious traditional Finnish soup. The National park was beautiful. They made the trip very convenient overall :))

We had a 32-hour layover in Helsinki and chose to spend our day in Finland hiking through Liesjärvi National Park with Taiga Times. It was a wonderful experience! We couldn't have chosen a better adventure or better guides for the day. Jeff & Didi were thoughtful, easy-going, and very knowledgeable. They guided us through the beautiful forest where we foraged for berries, learned about the ecosystem, and had a delicious homemade Finnish lunch by campfire near the frozen lake. It was a perfect day. Next time we're in Helsinki, we'll definitely book another adventure with Taiga Times! Thanks so much for the lovely experience.

My partner and I had a lovely and fun day out. Our guide Jeff was really nice and friendly and showed great knowledge of the wildlife and the fauna and flora. He cooked us a delicious meal and took us on a great trip. Such a well run day trip.

This was a great day trip outside of the city. The pickup and dropoff was easy. It was quite cold (as you would expect in January) but it ended up being very nice despite that (layer up!). The national park was beautiful and the hot salmon soup cooked over a fire was perfect!

Check out this review of Winter Wonderland Hike in a National Park on Tripadvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g189934-d18924367-r988422811-Winter_Wonderland_Hike_in_a_National_Park-Helsinki_Uusimaa.html

Did this trip today . What can I say it totally lived up to all my expectations. Taigo tours were excellent and really took care of us throughout the whole trip , providing snow boots ( even though I had my own they advised they weren’t high enough ) the snow was deep , socks and a hiking stick . Great experience walking through the beautiful forest where they shared their knowledge of the local flora and fauna. We walked to a picnic site where they shared a beautifully prepared lunch of salmon soup and rye bread around a lovely toasty fire and a special cake . We hiked back via the frozen lake . The stillness and quietness of the forest was amazing. Get yourselves out of Helsinki and experience this amazing trip . Truly unforgettable experience and one I will remember for a long time . Great hosts , great day what more can I say

I really enjoyed the national park. The lake and trees were fantastic and very beautiful. The salmon soup I had for lunch, the cinnamon rolls for snacks, and the drinks were all delicious. I was able to try the food that you should experience in Finland! If I have the chance again, I'd love to join the summer national park tour! Thank you to our tour guide Alex.

Great nature walk with great guide. Soup lunch was fantastic (and great dietary restrictions accommodations).

It was simple a perfect day in every way. Walking through the snow at an easy pace, really tasty and warming home made lunch, highly recommended. Jeff our guide was excellent, telling us lots about the National Park as we walked through it. Loved it!!

An amazing snowy day out in the forest with the best guide, Jeff. He matched the calm and stillness of the forest, whilst demonstrating his knowledge and enthusiasm with much aplomb. An easy engaging small group walk with a very delicious freshly prepared lunch. Yums!

Beautiful hike in snowy forest. Alex was a wonderful guide and took good care of us. Delicious salmon soup lunch.

If you enjoy hiking in nature and you enjoy snow (I went during winter) then this is a must do tour! Helena our guide was extremely friendly and has a clear love of nature. We took a drive, which allowed for some lovely views along the highway. We then hiked through the gorgeous woods, nothing too exhausting, just the right distance. She then prepared a fire, we ate a delicious lunch, enjoyed nature while we warmed up, and then hiked back. Highly recommend!

Was a truly magical day. It was snowing and we had lovely fresh snow to walk in. Our guide Helena was fantastic, so friendly and genuine. The lunch was yummy and warming and really loved the blueberry juice.

Great trip with Jeff! He gave us loads of interesting facts, made the date very enjoyable and cooked a superb lunch. Highlight was seeing a cheeky little stoat right at the end just before we got on the bus.

Fabulous hike through the woods! The walk is pretty easy going and the terrain quite flat (depending on how much snow I suppose) and the guides were extremely knowledgable, friendly and helpful. The little camp that you arrive at to have lunch is beautiful as it is set by a frozen lake. Also it is worth mentioning that there are non-flushing toilets at the comp (as hadn’t noticed many other reviews pointing this out and I had wondered this myself!). Overall a great experience to see a bit more of Finland and would recommend to everyone staying in Helsinki :) Thanks guys!

Jeff made my first, winter, forest hike in Finland unforgettable. Despite the wet, gloomy weather, he shone as a guide, being engaging, attentive, and a wealth of information. His commitment to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone on the trail was commendable. The Finnish-style lunch he prepared was not just hearty but also delicious. From the toasty warm bread, smoked fish and vegetable soup, homemade berry muffins to hot berry juice, every bite was a delight. Jeff's willingness to share his knowledge and answer questions enhanced the overall experience. I had so many questions as a novice hiker from Singapore. The walk in Liesjärvi National Park was both leisurely and fun, thanks to Jeff's guidance. His expertise in identifying different berries, fungi, spruces, junipers, and signs of woodpeckers added an educational aspect to the adventure. I highly recommend this trip to fellow nature enthusiasts. Jeff's positive qualities made this winter wonderland hike memorable.

I had a great time on this expedition our guides were very approachable and knowledgeable and made us feel safe throughout the whole trip. I had the opportunity (and was encouraged to) take lots of great photos and at the end of a great trip we had a delicious, hearty meal. I would recommend this to anyone even solo travellers.

Such a fun and easy way to experience Finland's nature. I booked at short notice and had an amazing time with such a knowledgeable and friendly guide. The Salmon soup was excellent as well. I couldn't recommend this experience more!

We had an absolutely fantastic experience with Taiga Times! Our guide, Jeff, made our day truly memorable as he expertly led us through the breathtaking national park. The day was filled with awe-inspiring landscapes, and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment of our leisurely walk. The beauty of the surroundings was beyond words, and Jeff's knowledge and enthusiasm added an extra layer to our exploration. If we find ourselves back in Helsinki, there's no doubt we'll be booking another tour with Taiga Times to create more wonderful memories.

First experience walking on the frozen lake! Amazing hike in the cold snow white path and having a campfire with a hot bowl of delicious salmon soup! Very memorable. Love it and highly recommended.

My partner and I booked both the National Park and Smoke Sauna Experience and the Winter Wonderland Hike, which we undertook earlier this month, based on great reviews we had seen and even then the tours completely exceeded our expectations. Jeff was the perfect guide and had such an impressive wealth of knowledge. He generously prepared two different lunches for us for the two tours we took (both delicious!) and always had time to answer our questions. These experiences were the highlight of our trip to Finland and we highly recommend Taiga Times.

The hike was fun. The guides were experienced and houghtful (Even though you were encourgaed to bring upur own stuff, they made provisions for extra boots and socks among other things). Lunch was good, the conversations were great. I'd definitely recommend it

Berry picking in the snow was fun! Jeff was very friendly and gave many insights throughout the entire tour.

Beautiful walk through the forest with the lovely guide Helena. Absolutely delicious lunch by the fire too. Highly recommend. Thank you Taiga Times.

My 15y old son and I just loved the experience. Nothing complicated. Just perfect. Jeff is a great guide. Authentic. Professional. Highly recommended!

We were travelling as a a family of 4 - my husband, brother in law and sister in law. I was taken ill and had to return and they could not do enough to ensure I was taken care and returned to our hotel safely. Absolutely gutted not have done this tour as my BiL and SIL carried on and said they had the most wonderful experience. The hike was amazing. Both guides were extremely knowledgeable and made the whole day such fun. The camp fire food was tasty and they loved every minute. I can honestly say that this tour is one of best to do in Helsinki. We have had rather a poor time with several others as they are being advertised as in Helsinki and they are over 700 kilometres away !! Definitely, this is a must one to do though.

What a great day out with Jeff! A chilled, relaxed hike through gorgeous forest. Delicious soup freshly prepared by a camp fire, next to a frozen lake. Jeff was a brilliant guide, clearly loved the Finish forests and all the nature that lives there, and his enthusiasm was infectious amongst the group. I'd definitely return for a summer hike or fungus foray even though I hate mushrooms!

My partner and I had an absolute glorious adventure in the snowy wilderness. Thank you Jeff for your calm and informative hiking tour. Extra points for making the meals gluten free :):):) so delicious! Definitely recommend this tour if you are staying in Helsinki and love nature. This was a relaxing and peaceful hike.

We decided to do this hike for my sisters birthday and WOW did not disappoint! The lunch that was provided was traditional homemade Finnish dish and the view were incredible.Jeff was amazing and made us feel so welcome and relaxed. It was only the 3 of us on the walk and we did at our own pace. We learnt a lot about the National park, animals and everything else 😂. Definitely recommend and will be back.

This was my second adventure with Taiga Times and, again, I loved every minute. Jeff was an excellent guide, offering lots of knowledge about Finnish nature and taking great care of the small group. The whole experience including the booking and admin was very well organised, and the national park we *hiked through was absolutely magical. I look forward to more Taiga tours and highly recommend them to anyone visiting Helsinki. *It wasn't a difficult walk and was mostly flat ground. I suggest wearing decent snow boots.

I had a great day, wonderful view and delicious lunch. Jeff is a professional guide, who knows lots of Finnish knowledge. I hope if I visit Finland I can join Taigatimes' experience again. 導遊Jeff很親切也知道很多芬蘭當地自然文化小知識，風景超美午餐也讚，是台灣很難體驗到的芬蘭野炊料理，如果喜歡自然、對自己開車技術路況有疑慮、擔心自己戶外迷路的話真的推！

My wife and I went on this tour. Easily booked on line whilst in Australia, and the response was very quick. There was absolutely no issues with payment, receipt received quickly, and we were all set before leaving Australia. Upon arrival, directions and info was sent to us. Easy to follow. Jeff greeted all people on the tour as they arrived. Introduced us all. He had a great memory and remembered all of our names. Explained the events of the day and off we went. Great trip to location, Jeff was extremely informative, friendly, and had a great sense of humour. Very informative during the hike. Arrived at the 'Tee Pee' where he cooked lunch. His wife Kia (please excuse spelling if incorrect) had done a magnificent job in the preparation of the food, and it tasted fantastic. Meal and the cinnamon bread was to 'die for'. I could go on, but all said and done, an excellent experience, and one I will never. forget. Thank you very Much Jeff (and Kia) will catch up next time we are here.

Jeff was a great tour guide. He knew a lot about the finish nature. The tour was perfectly organized and the food and drink delicious. Thank you for a special experience!

Highly recommended. Professional and friendly company. Overall the hiking experience was super fun and enjoyable.

It was again a very amazing tour with Jeff from Taiga Times! I really enjoyed the tour to Liesjärvi Nationalpark a lot. Jeff is a wonderful guide and he was again very well prepared. Really everything fits at a tour with Jeff. At this tour it was hilarious to hear the silence, seeing the footsteps of the animals, simply enjouying nature and also very informative explanations. A highly recommendation from my side! :-)

I had an amazing time going around Liesjärvi national park with Jeff. I only made the decision to book this trip the day before and wasn't particularly well equipped but Jeff was very welcoming and provided me with a good pair of boots so I could properly enjoy the trip. It was great going around the national park with somebody so knowledgeable and really enhanced an already brilliant experience. The rainbow trout soup in the kota felt very authentic too! I would be very interested in doing this trip again during the summer or winter to see the forest during different times of the year.

Jeff is a wonderful guide ! Wonderful day in the Liesjärvi national park. We really enjoyed hiking in the park and the lunch in the winter Kota was amazing with a delicious salmon soup. We learned a lot about the finnish forest and nature. We highly recommend Taiga Times !