Roadless Forest Guide

Taiga in Scandinavia and Finland: where to see it

Where to experience the boreal taiga in Finland, Sweden and Norway: national parks with old pine and spruce, wilderness huts, the right to roam and seasons.

Old-growth forestsPublished

The best places to experience the Nordic taiga are the national parks of Finnish Lapland and eastern Finland, the protected areas of Swedish Lapland and a few reserves in eastern Norway. Here you can walk for days through pine and spruce forest interrupted by mires, rivers and lakes, often staying in simple wilderness huts. Truly old forest is concentrated in protected areas: much of the northern forest outside them has been logged at least once.

What makes the taiga different

The boreal forest is quieter and more open than a Central European beech forest. Scots pine and Norway spruce dominate, mixed with birch and aspen. On poor soils pines can grow very old, and in some areas trees several centuries old still stand. Fire used to be a natural part of this forest: many old pines carry fire scars at the base of the trunk. Lichens hanging from spruce branches and carpets of reindeer lichen on the ground are typical of old, undisturbed stands.

If you want to read the signs of age in a forest, see our guide on how to recognise an old-growth forest.

Where to go

Finland

Finland is one of the most forested countries in Europe. The state agency Metsähallitus manages the national parks and publishes trail information and hut lists on Nationalparks.fi.

  • Oulanka in the north-east is known for river valleys, rapids and the Karhunkierros (Bear’s Trail), one of Finland’s best-known multi-day hikes.
  • Urho Kekkonen and Lemmenjoki in Lapland are among the largest national parks in the country, with fells, old pine forest and very few people.
  • Patvinsuo and Hossa in eastern Finland combine forest, mires and lakes and are quieter than the famous Lapland parks.

Sweden

  • Laponia in Swedish Lapland is a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes several national parks. Muddus is known for old-growth forest and mires, while Sarek and Padjelanta are high mountain areas.
  • Skuleskogen on the High Coast has old forest on rocky slopes above the Baltic Sea.
  • Tyresta, close to Stockholm, protects old pine forest and is one of the easiest places to see near-natural taiga without a long journey.

Norway

Eastern Norway has smaller but interesting protected forests, for example Øvre Pasvik on the Russian border in the far north-east, a rare piece of Siberian-type taiga in Norway, and Femundsmarka near the Swedish border.

The right to roam, briefly

All three countries have a traditional right to roam: in Finland jokamiehenoikeudet, in Sweden allemansrätten, in Norway allemannsretten. In general it allows you to walk on uncultivated land and to camp for a short time at a respectful distance from houses. But:

  • national parks and nature reserves often limit camping to designated sites,
  • open fires are frequently banned, especially in dry summers,
  • the details differ by country.

Our country-by-country overview of wild camping rules explains the differences. It is an overview, not legal advice.

Wilderness huts

Finland’s national parks and wilderness areas have a network of open wilderness huts, free to use and shared by whoever arrives, and reservable huts with a fee. Sweden and Norway have their own hut systems run by tourist associations and the state. Huts are a good way to spend nights in the taiga, but always carry a tent or emergency shelter: an open hut may be full. More on hut types in remote forest cabins in Europe.

Seasons

Period Conditions
June to July Midnight sun in the north, many mosquitoes, wet trails
August Fewer insects, berries, stable weather is common
September Autumn colours (‘ruska’), cold nights, first northern lights
October to April Snow, short days, skiing and snowshoeing only

Distances in the north are large and mobile coverage is patchy away from roads. Trails in popular parks are well marked, but in wilderness areas you navigate by map. Download offline maps before you go and carry a paper map and compass; our guide to offline maps and navigation explains the basics. The emergency number is 112 in all three countries. Rivers can be cold and fast even in summer, and weather on open fells changes quickly.

Getting there

Night trains run from Stockholm to Swedish Lapland and from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and Kolari in Finnish Lapland. Ferries connect Germany with Sweden and Finland. From the railway stations, buses or taxis reach the parks; in remote areas services are seasonal. For other remote corners of the continent, see the most remote places in Europe.

Frequently asked questions

What is the taiga?

Taiga, or boreal forest, is the belt of coniferous forest that circles the northern hemisphere south of the tundra. In Europe it is dominated by Scots pine and Norway spruce, mixed with birch, mires and countless lakes.

Can I camp anywhere in the Nordic countries?

The right to roam allows a short stay in a tent on uncultivated land away from houses, but national parks and nature reserves often restrict camping and fires. Check the rules of each area and see our country overview on wild camping.

When are the mosquitoes worst?

Usually from late June to late July, especially near mires and lakes. From mid-August numbers drop noticeably, and September brings autumn colours and the first northern lights.

Can I get to Lapland by train?

Yes. Night trains run from Stockholm to Swedish Lapland and from Helsinki to Finnish Lapland. From the stations, buses or taxis take you on to the parks.

More in Old-growth forests