Exploring Europe's Hidden Gems #3 Oulanka national park

This national park is located in the northeast of Finland just outside the town of Ruka and is one of the oldest parks in the country. It is a park with typical Finnish features such as lakes and pine trees. The road to this national park is okay for finnish roads and there is a huge car park. You can take one smaller and one bigger circuit from the car park, but if you want to explore more of the national park, there is only one way there and back.

I recommend taking the orange and green route and doing this loop, which is about 12 kilometers, but you'll discover the truly raw beauty of this park and all of Finland's nature.

The route offers to cross a huge bridge in the strait between two lakes, an old wooden mill, tranquillity, breathtaking waterfalls, and unique Finnish nature. I visited this place during autumn, which in Finland is mainly in September, and was lucky enough to see the colorful leaves on the trees.

The goal destination in this park for me was the viewpoint, which is located 8km away and can be reached by following the red trail E10 and at the tourist hut "Vennäänmutka laavu" you have to follow the dashed trail uphill, where one of the top views awaits you during autumn.
Be careful though, it's very far from the car park and there is no other pub or civilization there, I didn't even have a signal. Moreover, already in September, the day is quite short in this part of Finland, so plan this trip with plenty of time. But it is worth it!