Alternative winter-hiking

After moving to Finland and starting my nature-guide studies, I had the feeling that hiking culture in Finland is in general a lot focused on hiking in the wilderness-areas of Lapland. And in winter even more. The idea of a winter hike is to go with a very big sled and skis and a lot expensive equipment to Lapland. What is of course a great experience, for what you also need a lot of skills.

With riot trails I want to offer an alternative way of winter-hiking right next to Helsinki.

In winter 24/25 I got the chance to organize my first own winter-hiking course and a 5-day guided hike on my own planned trail near Helsinki as part of my nature-guide studies.

In winter 25/26 I will take my time to develop the alternative winter-hiking course as well as the trail itself. Maybe upload some material here and figure out how to share the idea in practice in winter 26/27.

Impressions from my first 5-day guided winter-hike near Helsinki (February 2025) through pictures and the words of the participants

“I’m really bad at preparing for anything so it was really important we did it together and properly step by step.”

“The preparatory material, communication before the hike, Teams meetings, and meeting at Mia’s place before the hike were all incredibly good, thoroughly planned, and well executed. It was clear that Mia had prepared carefully and wholeheartedly.”

“I feel like the most support I really needed was the mental support. I felt really safe with our group even on the first night even though we were almost strangers to each other at that point. I got to learn new things bit by bit while feeling like I still have the most basic skills to survive on my own. I think the feeling safe part allowed me to enjoy the hike from the beginning and prepared me for the last night alone.”

“Mia gave the participants plenty of space and freedom to be themselves and ask questions whenever they had any. However, through her presence and questions, she made it clear from the outset that she would be supporting us throughout the hike.”

“I felt really supported and safe yet somewhat independent at the same time. I feel like that was one of the goals for this hike.”

“I liked the quiet walks, where I felt that we didn’t need to talk, but could just enjoy the journey together. You also encouraged us to enjoy quiet time together, which I really liked!”

“I LOVED how you were able to combine different kinds of nature for the hike! Seaside, swamp, forests, hills etc. I feel like that’s one of the advantages of hiking in southern Finland. The sleeping spots were really cozy, and although I personally chose to be under a tree every night I enjoyed the variation a lot because I still felt like the places were really different (collecting snow, night/morning walks etc). I feel like the alone time on this hike was the perfect amount as I’m still somewhat a beginner hiker combined with winter conditions. It made me feel safe but capable.”

“Five days was just the right length. I was happy that the hike was long. I don’t think I would have hiked for five days in southern Finland without this guided hike, especially in winter.”

“The route was really varied and carefully planned. Every single overnight spot was wonderful, and we found water regularly along the way because you had planned the route so well. It was great to walk on many different types of terrain in different landscapes. I was happy with our decision to walk together, although a short stretch alone would not have bothered me either. The last night alone was a very good decision. Thank you, Mia, for encouraging us to do it. I think R. and I would have ended up sleeping together, but you encouraged us to sleep alone on the last night. Thank you! It was a great end to the trip.”

“I have a lot more courage now. I think I got to know myself as a hiker more.”

“I enjoy the small and difficult forest paths, but found out it’s not so depressing to combine it with street paths. It opens up more options to just go hiking out of my home since I hate the bus rides even more than city walks.”

“This trip made me think about solo hiking in a new light. I may not have been afraid or cautious when hiking alone before, but now I understand that I can make my experience even safer and more comfortable with a few small choices when hiking alone. After this trip, I know that I can spend nights and days outdoors even in freezing temperatures. The trip opened my eyes even more to the possibilities of local hiking and the marshes, which I may not have appreciated enough before.”

“A huge thank you for this opportunity! It was such an important experience for me although I felt a bit hesitant before the hike. It all worked out great and I’m already planning my next hikes. I had already previously discovered hiking and nature as my “medicine” in life, but being able to take part in this project opened my eyes to even more possibilities to combine it with my life more easily.”

This was: my first self organized alternative-winter-hiking course and guiding a 5-day hike in winter

A project for one of my courses of my nature-guide studies. The course is called “Luonto-ohjaamisen erityisosaaminen”, could be translated with “special skills / niche capability of nature-guiding”. An experiment finding a low-threshold way of winter-hiking. Unlikely/alternative because we didn’t hike with skis and sleds through the wilderness areas of Lapland. But about 55 km on a DIY trail out of my own door. Near Helsinki, with the unstable Southern Finland winter conditions (we had unlikely perfect winter-weather for our hike). Still an adventure and challenging, but with the secureness of being near home. We prepared together figuring out what own 3-season gear works in winter, and what I could borrow to make the hiking-sets complete. We went through winter hiking theory, shared packing lists and DIY-gear ideas. We started on this trail with all different hiking experiences, gear and backpack-weight. For one of us it was even the first night alone in a tent. For all of us the first time doing a winter hike like this. We learned all new skills between that first night (what was with -16 C°, the coldest of this winter so far) and the last night (what we spent all choosing a spot on an island alone, meeting again only on the next day some kilometers further on the trail). As well as trusting in the skills we already have and what are just coming by going out on (little) adventures. Together or alone. We hiked. Through swamps, along lakes, on cute forest paths, following power lines upon a hill, over roads crossing fields down to the sea.

Impressions winter Helsinki 2023/2024 through “hiking moments”

I made my first winter hiking experience 2022/2023 in Rovaniemi (Lapland) linked to my nature-guide studies. I moved to Helsinki and continued studying here. In winter 2023/2024 I slept 15 nights about one time per week outdoors through the whole winter. Tested and adapted a lot of equipment. I organized a “alternative winter hiking” workshop in school sharing skills about ultralight winter-hiking with the “rulkka”-concept. And a small group decided to try out going with the “rulkka” instead of the classical big sled to the winter-hike from school, where I took part as a fellow student and supporting the rulkka-group. I learned a lot testing and discussing this concept with my fellow students and teachers.

Impressions winter Helsinki 2023/2024 through it’s all time changing nature

Winter in Helsinki can change between -25° or some rain in between, then again freezing, then a lot of new snow coming and again from the start. These changes can be a bit challenging for hiking but through these nature also creates it’s own stunning art. I adapted my gear to these changes and enjoyed discovering how nature changed week by week.