Year: 2025

Finland is often called The Land of a Thousand Lakes, but that’s an understatement. The country has over 188,000 lakes and countless rivers stretching across untouched wilderness. With a packraft, you can reach places tourists never see. Here are the top packrafting destinations every adventurer should experience:

1. Oulanka National Park

A legendary packrafting paradise.
The Oulankajoki River mixes gentle rapids, clear water, and rugged cliffs. Trails run alongside the river, making combination hiking-packrafting trips easy. Scenic, manageable, and perfect for all levels.

2. Hossa National Park

Bright blue lakes, shallow rivers, and peaceful scenery define Hossa. Ideal for beginners and families, the calm waters let you practice technique while enjoying stunning views.

3. Kainuu Wilderness

Quiet, remote, and deeply peaceful.
The rivers here feel untouched, winding through dense forests and moss-covered landscapes. Perfect for solo travelers and anyone craving silence.

4. Lemmenjoki National Park (Lapland)

This is Finland’s true Arctic wilderness.
Long river routes, tundra landscapes, Sámi culture, and the midnight sun create an unreal experience. More challenging, but extremely rewarding.

5. Lake Inari

A massive northern lake dotted with over 3,000 islands.
Expect wide horizons, shifting winds, and a sense of endless space. Great for experienced paddlers seeking something iconic.

6. Ruka–Kuusamo Region

Famous for adventure year-round.
In summer, the rivers offer calm, photogenic waters. In autumn, the entire region glows gold and red—jaw-dropping for photographers.

Finland’s waterways offer everything: calm paddles, wild rapids, Arctic landscapes, and full wilderness immersion. Each destination gives you a different flavor of Finland, and each trip becomes a story worth retelling.

Packrafting in Finland is breathtaking, but the Nordic wilderness demands respect. Beyond paddling skills, you need survival awareness to navigate the forests, rivers, and unpredictable weather.

The first essential skill is weather awareness. Finnish weather can flip from sunny to stormy in minutes. Always bring waterproof layers, thermal clothing, and check forecasts before launching. Cold-water shock is a real risk—preparation is key.

Navigation matters too. Many wilderness areas have no cell service, and trails can blend into the forest. Carry a physical map and compass, not just a GPS. It’s basic, but it can save your trip.

River safety is another pillar of survival. Learn to identify currents, read the water surface, and perform self-rescue if you fall out. Finnish water is cold enough to cause hypothermia quickly, so wearing a PFD at all times is non-negotiable.

Gear management is also crucial. Your packraft must be properly inflated, inspected for leaks, and stored dry. Dry bags protect your essentials—sleeping bag, clothes, food—from getting drenched.

If you camp during your trip, choose spots that are safe, flat, and clear of rising water levels. Finland allows responsible wild camping, but always follow fire regulations and pack out every piece of trash.

Understanding wildlife helps too. Finland’s forests are home to reindeer, foxes, owls, and occasionally bears. They’re usually shy, but keep food secure and maintain respectful distance.

Finally, you need mental resilience. Wilderness travel includes long stretches of silence, physical effort, and unpredictable moments. Staying calm, patient, and present will help you enjoy the journey more deeply.

These skills don’t just help you survive—they help you appreciate the Nordic wilderness in its purest form. Packrafting in Finland is a blend of adventure, mindfulness, and raw natural beauty. With the right preparation, you’re not just ready to explore—you’re ready to thrive.

If you’re new to packrafting, relax—this is one of the easiest and most exciting ways to explore Finland’s wilderness. A packraft is lightweight, foldable, and simple to use, making it perfect for hikers, solo travelers, photographers, and anyone craving adventure without complicated equipment.

Finland is an ideal place to begin. Its rivers are wide, clean, and full of beginner-friendly routes. Oulanka National Park, Hossa, and the Kainuu region are beloved because of their gentle currents and postcard-worthy scenery.

The first step is choosing a packraft. Beginners should pick a stable, durable model with enough room for their gear. Essential equipment includes a PFD (life jacket), dry bags, proper shoes, and clothing suitable for cold water—because Finnish rivers can stay chilly even in midsummer.

Understanding river grades is another key skill. Finland uses an international system from Class I (very easy) to Class III (challenging but safe). Before your trip, study the route, check flow levels, and always check weather conditions—rain can dramatically change the river within hours.

Paddling technique matters too. Smooth, steady strokes conserve energy and keep you in control. When facing small rapids, stay calm, lean forward slightly, and let the current work with you. Most beginners fall in love with packrafting immediately after their first rapid—it’s a little rush of adrenaline mixed with pure joy.

One great thing about Finland is that packrafting isn’t an extreme sport reserved for pros. Families, beginners, and even older travelers try it safely. Local outfitters offer excellent beginner courses covering river reading, safety techniques, packing tips, and basic rescue skills.

You also learn wilderness ethics. In Finland, every traveler follows “Everyman’s Right,” which gives people the freedom to explore nature responsibly. Leave no trace, respect wildlife, and treat rivers with care.

For beginners, packrafting feels like merging hiking, camping, and kayaking into one unforgettable experience. The first time you glide over a calm stretch of water surrounded by deep green forests, you realize you’re not just learning a sport—you’re entering a new world of nature and adventure.

Finland often feels like a land pulled straight from a storybook—endless forests, mirror-clear lakes, crisp northern air, and wildlife that still thrives freely. But there’s one way to truly feel the soul of this northern paradise: packrafting. More than a water sport, packrafting is an intimate way to travel through Finland’s wild rivers, calm lakes, and untouched wilderness. This is where real adventure begins.

When you first walk to the riverbank with a packraft on your back, there’s a quiet magic in the air. The northern wind brushes your face, the forest whispers softly, and the river starts revealing its rhythm. The water is crystal clear—cold like glacier melt, yet full of life. During summer, the sun barely sets, casting golden light over the landscape all night long. That glow turns every paddle stroke into something dreamy, almost otherworldly.

Packrafting gives you a kind of freedom no other activity does. You might start in a calm section of river, then drift into fun rapids, then suddenly glide across a peaceful lake surrounded by towering pine trees. Each turn reveals something new: a hidden waterfall, class I–III rapids, or a quiet lagoon where time slows down. This variety is what makes packrafting in Finland so unforgettable.

Places like Kuusamo, Oulanka National Park, and Hossa are packrafting hotspots. The Oulankajoki River in particular is legendary—gentle rapids, deep green forests, dramatic cliffs, and stretches of calm water perfect for beginners. Even experienced paddlers find joy here because the landscape constantly shifts, making every trip feel fresh.

One of the most emotional parts of packrafting Finland is the silence. When you drift into a still section of river, the world seems to pause. The soft dip of your paddle becomes the only sound. Fish glide beneath your packraft, reindeer sometimes wander close to the riverbanks, and eagles sweep across the sky. Everything feels alive, and for a moment, you become part of that natural rhythm.

In autumn, the scenery transforms into a sea of gold, red, and copper. The air grows colder, but the wilderness becomes more dramatic. Many packrafters prefer the fall season because it feels quieter, deeper, and more introspective. Packrafting during this time is like traveling through a painting—peaceful, poetic, and powerful.

But beauty alone isn’t the full story. Packrafting in Finland teaches discipline: reading currents, respecting nature, preparing for weather, and staying safe. Planning each trip carefully—checking forecasts, mapping routes, and packing the right gear—makes the adventure even more meaningful.

In the end, packrafting in Finland is more than an adventure. It’s a spiritual journey. You’re not just navigating rivers—you’re navigating your inner world, reconnecting with nature, and rediscovering your sense of presence. Many say that once you packraft in Finland, a part of you will always want to come back.