Activities In Ranua And Nearby
Ranua is the perfect place for someone looking to enjoy the peace and quiet of Finnish nature, but it also offers some interesting activities, if you know where to look. Ranua is located quite conveniently, so if you’re willing to travel a bit you will find plenty of opportunities for fun nearby.
All the following activities are available through us. Please contact us for more information.
Husky Safari
Experience a thrilling husky safari through breathtaking winter landscapes!
Relax in the sled while an experienced guide takes the reins, or try driving yourself! There’s a short break midway through, where you can capture stunning winter scenes or switch drivers if you’d like.
At the end of the two-hour journey, enjoy tea and coffee as you spend time with the friendly huskies. You can pet them and take photos together. Warm clothing is available if needed, and all participants must be at least 15 years old.
For a quicker option or for families with small children, there’s also a 30-minute safari, perfect for those seeking a shorter adventure. While it doesn’t include refreshments or the opportunity to drive, it still offers an unforgettable ride through the winter wilderness!
For something truly magical, a special evening safari is available upon request.
Snowshoeing In Nature
Looking for an activity where you can set your own pace? Put on snowshoes and join our guide in the Lapland forests! Discover local flora, fauna, and ancient Northern traditions. Along the way, your guide will serve hot drinks, giving you a chance to savor the peaceful silence of nature.
This journey demonstrates that the calming effects of nature are indeed real.
Honkivaara: Snow And Fun
Come and experience the biggest hill in Ranua. The trip to Honkivaara offers everything a family with children could need. Located in the heart of the Lapland wilderness, Honkivaara features a fantastic small sledding hill. Next to the hill, there are two excellent open huts where you can enjoy hot drinks and sausages. If you don’t feel like climbing the hill, a snowmobile is there to give you a lift.
Reindeer Farm Visit
Have you ever seen hundreds of reindeer in one place?
Visit a reindeer farm where you can see reindeer up close and feed them. You can enjoy hot drinks and sausages around an open fire with the curious reindeer. During your visit, the hostess will tell you about life on the reindeer farm.
You’ll also have the freedom to explore the farm at your own pace.
Private Santa
In the peaceful wilderness of Lapland, on the shore of a beautiful lake, lies Private Santa—a secret place where Santa Claus prepares for Christmas, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The journey to this hideaway takes you through a stunning winter landscape, and along the way, you may even spot wildlife such as reindeer or foxes. This tranquil destination offers a unique opportunity to glimpse into Santa’s everyday life and enjoy the serenity and beauty of Lapland’s nature.
Private Santa offers an exclusive, private meeting with Santa Claus in Ranua. Ranua is about an hour’s drive from Rovaniemi, two hours from Oulu, and one hour away from Kemi and Simo. Located just a short drive from Ranua’s town center, Private Santa is the perfect destination for a magical Christmas experience. You can easily reach the destination by taxi or rental car from Rovaniemi.
More information: https://privatesanta.fi
Northern Lights Hunting
The dark forests of Lapland are far away from the lights of big cities, and the perfect place to search for the Northern Lights. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some wild animals. Our guide will take you exploring either by car or snowmobile, depending on your preference.
Extreme Northern Lights Hunting
Many people dream of witnessing the Northern Lights, but sometimes it takes real effort to catch a glimpse of them. This trip can take hours as your guide works to find the best spot with clear skies and a good chance of seeing the lights.
The exact destination is usually determined on the day of the trip, depending on the weather conditions. Sometimes, we may only need to drive a short distance, while other times it can take hours. The total activity lasts about 6 hours, and your guide will have snacks packed for the journey.
Once the perfect location is found, your guide will make a campfire and you can have a light dinner while hopefully admiring the beautiful northern lights.
Snowmobile Safari
Experience the beauty of Ranua’s Arctic nature by riding a snowmobile through snowy forests. Enjoy breathtaking views as you travel through the winter landscape and stop midway to listen to the silence of nature. Leave your daily stress behind and join us for this unique adventure.
Please note: This safari is not suitable for small children. The minimum age is 12 years old, and children will ride as passengers with an adult.
Snowmobile Night Safari
Embark on a unique adventure for adults eager to navigate snowmobiles through the Lappish wilderness. This experience offers a great chance to witness the Northern Lights. Enjoy hot drinks and snacks, and hear fascinating tales about the Northern Lights before continuing your ride under the Arctic night sky. A must-do in Lapland, this journey promises unforgettable natural beauty and cultural insights.
Please note: This safari is not suitable for small children. The minimum age for a child is 13 years, and the minimum height is 140 cm to join this safari. Children will participate as passengers on a snowmobile with an adult. The minimum number of participants is 2 people.
Rovaniemi Day
Curious about the capital of Lapland? Rovaniemi is a winter city full of magic and experiences that will take you on an unforgettable journey, and you can travel there comfortably by car with our guide.
Start your day with a shopping spree in the heart of the city, where local stores offer unique crafts and souvenirs. You’ll also find a variety of restaurants perfect for a delicious lunch made from Lappish ingredients.
If you’re hungry for culture, you should definitely visit Arktikum. Arktikum is a science center and museum where you can immerse yourself in northern nature, culture, and history. Home to the University of Lapland’s Arctic Centre and the Regional Museum of Lapland, it stimulates thought, encourages debate, and provides a deeper understanding of the Arctic.
Of course, no trip to Rovaniemi would be complete without a visit to the Arctic Circle.
Ranua Wildlife Park
Have you ever wanted to see a variety of Arctic animals all in one place? Then you must visit Ranua Wildlife Park, home to over 50 different species and 200 individual animals, including polar bears.
Winter is a great time to visit, as the animals stand out beautifully against the white snow. While the brown bears hibernate, the other animals remain active.
The path through the park is about 2.5 km long and easy to walk, making it suitable for everyone. It takes about two hours to tour the park, and a guided tour is available for an additional fee.
After your visit, enjoy a delicious lunch at the Bubo Bulo restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find the Fazer candy shop, a factory store offering the best Finnish candies.
Have you tried Finnish chocolate? Be sure to buy some to take home with you.
Plan for a few hours at the park, including time for lunch and shopping. Please note that pets are not allowed in the park.
More information: https://ranuaresort.com/en/wildlife-park/
Icebreaker Sampo Cruise
Have you ever floated in the sea? Now you can experience it!
The Icebreaker Sampo is a massive vessel built in 1960 to operate in extreme Arctic conditions. It has a long and distinguished service record, and for nearly 30 years, it kept shipping lanes open in the northern Gulf of Bothnia.
The Sampo Cruise is a four-hour adventure on the frozen sea in Kemi. During the cruise, you’ll get to experience ice floating, walk on the ice, take a guided tour of the vessel, and receive a diploma. A welcome drink and a buffet lunch or brunch are also included.
After the voyage, you get free tickets to the SnowCastle of Kemi that you can visit before returning back to Ranua. Kemi SnowCastle is the biggest snow fort in Finland and it’s open all year round. Visitors can admire the ice sculptures, take a selfie on the ice throne, have fun in the ice slide and dine at the ice restaurant.
A Private Evening In The Middle Of Nowhere
Perhaps sometimes all you need is peace and quiet?
Take a trip with our guide through the snowy wilderness of Lapland to this unique cabin, located on the shore of a forest pond, as if straight out of a fairy tale. The wood-heated cabin and the traditional lakeside sauna beside it offer shelter in the darkness of the winter evening.
As the snow crunches underfoot and frost-covered trees surround you, you can feel the tranquility of the wilderness with every breath. During the evening, you can enjoy the soft heat of the sauna, take a refreshing dip in the ice-cold plunge, and make snow angels on the pristine snow.
After the sauna, a special dinner prepared with local ingredients awaits you.
You won’t find this unique experience anywhere else!
Ice Fishing
Join us for a traditional Finnish ice fishing trip on a winter lake teeming with fish!
Ice fishing is a fun way to step out into the fresh air, relax, and momentarily forget the hustle and stress of everyday life. It’s an experience that’s both soothing and thrilling! No prior ice fishing experience is needed, as our guide will introduce you to the secrets of the sport.
If we’re lucky and catch some fish, we’ll prepare them over an open fire. There’s nothing quite like the taste of freshly caught fish, seasoned simply with butter and salt.
Scenic Expedition To Riisitunturi
Riisitunturi National Park is a wonderful place to witness the beauty of Finnish nature. The highest peaks of Riisitunturi rise above 400 meters, providing breathtaking views over Lake Kitkajärvi and the surrounding forests.
Located about an hour’s drive from Ranua, Riisitunturi offers great opportunities to admire and capture beautiful winter landscapes. A trip with a professional guide is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to learn the secrets of winter landscape photography.
More information: https://posiolapland.com/riisitunturi-national-park/
Riding In The Wilderness
Discover the magic of Lapland’s winter – on horseback!
This unforgettable experience is designed for beginners. You’ll have the option to explore beautiful natural trails through enchanting wilderness and snowy landscapes, or enjoy a serene ride within the farm’s picturesque fens.
Let the tranquility of nature and the gentle rhythm of the horse lead you into the breathtaking beauty of Lapland.
Japanitalo
A small slice of Japan at Simojärvi in Ranua. Japanitalo (Japan house) is a meeting place of cultures. It was built in the serene nature of Lapland in collaboration with the village of Iwasaki, a sister city of Ranua.
Japanitalo hosts events and exhibitions, and it can also be booked as a place to hold a meeting or a party. They can also accommodate a small number of people for overnight visits.
Please note that during winter Japanitalo is open by appointment only.
Iso-Syöte
Iso-Syöte ski area is located in the southernmost fell of Finland where you can ski on 17 perfectly groomed slopes. The Iso-Syöte SnowPark is called the most versatile freestyle park in Finland. Iso-Syöte is surrounded by the beautiful Syöte National park that is perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities.
More information: https://syote.fi/en/iso-syote/
Korouoma Canyon
Korouoma is a millions of years old fracture valley in the bedrock. At the center of the valley, it forms a magnificent gorge that drops over a 100 meters below its surrounding terrain. The many hiking trails (and skiing trails in winter) of Korouoma offer monthly changing views all year round.
More information: https://posiolapland.com/korouoma-canyon/
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