Detours and Santa Claus

The next day brings us to Oulanka National Park and on a hike on the famous Bear Trail. We were supposed to see a waterfall as the highlight – but thanks to the park guide's incorrect directions, we end up going the other way. No worries: in the evening, a real highlight awaits us – our booked sauna.

Before that, we cook in the rustic log cabin kitchen, then off we go: along a small forest path that is only accessible to sauna guests, we reach the little house right by the lake. Quiet, cozy, simply perfect.

The next morning we roll further west. Maybe a detour, but a pretty funny one. With Christmas music playing, we head straight toward Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi at the Arctic Circle. A pure souvenir paradise – and apparently, there are several Santas there. But shhh! For us, the post office was the main attraction, and after that, we quickly moved on.

Our goal for the day: Sodankylä. Not a particularly noteworthy campsite, but at least we could do some laundry.

Detours on the Bear Trail and a Visit to Santa

The next day takes us to Oulanka National Park for a hike along the famous Bear Trail. The highlight should have been a waterfall – but thanks to the park guide's wrong directions, we end up heading the other way. No problem though: the real highlight is waiting for us in the evening – our booked sauna.

Beforehand, we cook in the rustic log cabin kitchen, then set off: along a small forest path reserved just for sauna guests, we reach the little hut right by the lake. Peaceful, cozy, simply perfect.

The next morning, we roll further west. Maybe a detour, but quite a funny one. With Christmas music playing, we head straight for Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. It’s basically a pure souvenir paradise – and apparently, there’s more than one Santa. But shhh! For us, the main stop was the post office, and after that we quickly moved on.

Our destination for the day: Sodankylä. Not a particularly remarkable campsite, but at least we managed to do some laundry.