Ivalo is a convenient base for enjoying all of Lapland’s outdoor activities. Two national parks and Saariselkä are ideal destinations for hiking and cycling. The midnight sun, autumn colors and the northern lights appear in Ivalo in their fullest potential. Our holiday in Finland has shown there are plenty of places to see and so much to do all over the country. However, there is a destination that deserves its own special place on our list. At least if we're talking about outdoor activities, this next stop is a real dream come true. Welcome to Ivalo, the most versatile location for a holiday in Lapland. In fact, Ivalo is a populated community of only 3,000 inhabitants in the municipality of Inari. Basically no one travels to Ivalo with just an urban holiday in mind. Ivalo's temptation is based on something completely different – the incredible nature of the surrounding area and the outdoor activities it offers. If you are interested in fishing or canoeing, the River Ivalo (Ivalonjoki in Finnish), which flows next to Ivalo, should be first on your checklist. It is one of Finland's most famous fishing rivers, and the river offers both a challenge and a stunning scenery for canoeing. Ivalonjoki is known for its rapids that add a fun and exciting element to canoeing. The river flows through the legendary Lemmenjoki National Park and the views are pretty much what you would expect from Finland’s largest national park. The rugged forest landscape seems to go on forever while the clean waters of the Arctic glimmer in the sunlight. Almost the only traces of human presence are visible in the areas of gold panning. The actual gold rush of Lemmenjoki occurred after the Second World War, but gold panning still goes on in the area today. If you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, there are still places where you can try gold panning yourself! Two national parks for travelling around Ivalo Lemmenjoki National Park is the largest national park in Finland and one of the largest uninhabited forest areas in Europe. The national park has several marked hiking trails and a wide selection of unlocked huts, cabins for rent and campfire sites. In other words, this is a reasonable choice for a hiker who appreciates some degree of comfort! Urho Kekkonen National Park is another area ideal for hiking, located southeast of Ivalo. On the edge of the national park lies the Saariselkä outdoor center which is probably the best destination for cyclists in Lapland. Especially in the autumn, Saariselkä shows the very best of Lapland, when you can enjoy Finland's most spectacular autumn colors and, on many nights, the northern lights on the sky. Of course, you can also travel to the area in the summer if you want to cover as many kilometers a day as possible. The midnight sun illuminates the route and allows you to move outdoors even in the middle of the night. In winter, Ivalo has all the magical features of Lapland on display. There is an unbreakable silence as the northern lights dance on the sky. During the day, the clear white snow invites you to ski and snowmobile or go for a walk using snowshoes. Alternatively, you can just sit down and enjoy the ride on a sledge pulled by reindeer, horses, or huskies. Enjoying the ride is also important when travelling to Ivalo. Simply choose OnniBus.com as your transport, sit back, and enjoy the trip to this wonderful gem of Lapland. Ivalo's countless outdoor activities are just a quick ticket reservation away!
