Private Nature Guide in Ruka-Kuusamo & Finnish Lapland
Private hiking, snowshoeing and tailor-made nature tours from Ruka-Kuusamo to Riisitunturi, Oulanka, Hossa, Salla, Korouoma, Syöte and other nature destinations in Finnish Lapland.
Explore northern nature with your own local guide. MyTrail private experiences are available for solo travellers, couples, families and small groups of up to 8 people.
Your experience is planned around your interests, fitness level, the season and the conditions of the day. You can choose where you would like to go or let your guide recommend the best destination based on the latest weather and trail conditions.
Private experiences from €390 / group (1–2 persons).
What's Included?
Depending on the length and type of experience, your private tour can include:
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Private local nature guide
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Private experience for 1–8 guests
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Private transportation from your accommodation in Ruka area or Kuusamo center
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Flexible itinerary, route and starting time
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Route and difficulty tailored to your group and pace
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Snowshoes, poles or light traction equipment when needed in winter
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Trail snacks or a campfire meal on selected longer experiences
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Available year-round
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Only your own group
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Available in Ruka, Oulanka, Riisitunturi, Korouoma, Hossa, Salla and Syöte
Please note: The booked duration includes driving and transportation time from and back to Ruka/Kuusamo. Longer distances therefore require a longer experience.
Choose the Length of Your Private Experience
Private Nature Guide – 2–3 Hours:
Best for Ruka and short nature experiences. A short visit to Riisitunturi can also be arranged.
Private Guided Nature Day – 4–6 Hours
Ideal for Riisitunturi National Park, Oulanka National Park and the Ruka-Kuusamo area.
Private Guided Nature Day – 7–9 Hours
A full nature day for exploring further into Finnish Lapland, including Salla, Hossa, Korouoma and Syöte. Or plan a longer hiking day in Oulanka or Riisitunturi.
Explore Finnish nature with a local private guide at your own pace. Choose your destination in advance or let your guide recommend the best route based on the weather, season and current trail conditions. Stop for photographs, take time by the campfire or focus on hiking – the experience is planned around your group rather than a fixed itinerary.
Travelling solo? You are very welcome.
Our private experiences are also available for one person. With your own local guide, you don't need to wait for a group to form – and the day can be planned entirely around your interests and pace.
Optional Extras
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Special Wilderness menus
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Additional transfers for multi-destination adventures
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Rental clothing
Why Explore with a Local Private Guide?
A private guide gives you flexibility that a scheduled group tour cannot always offer.
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Travel at your own pace
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Choose a route suitable for your fitness level
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Stop for photography whenever you like
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Learn about local nature, wildlife, history and life in the North. Hear local stories and find hidden places
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Flexible itinerary and start time
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Change the route according to weather and trail conditions
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Spend more time in places that interest you
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No strangers in your group
Where Can You Go with a Private Guide?
The right destination depends on how much time you have, the season, weather and current trail conditions. You can choose where you would like to go or ask your guide for a recommendation.
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Oulanka National Park: Explore river valleys, rapids, old-growth forests and some of Finland's best-known hiking trails. Depending on the time available, we can visit Kiutaköngäs Rapids, hike sections of the Little Bear's Trail, explore Oulanka Canyon or plan a longer hiking day. Recommended duration from Ruka: 4–9 hours.
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Riisitunturi National Park: Riisitunturi is one of our most popular private destinations throughout the year. In winter, the national park is known for its snow-covered spruce trees and open fell landscapes. In summer and autumn, quiet forests, wetlands and open views make it a peaceful hiking destination. You don't necessarily need a full day. A short visit can be arranged for families, photographers and travellers who mainly want to experience the scenery, while a longer tour gives us more time to explore the national park. Recommended duration from Ruka: 3–6 hours.
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Hossa National Park: Clear lakes, quiet forests, the prehistoric Värikallio rock paintings and the impressive Julma-Ölkky canyon lake make Hossa particularly suitable for a full-day excursion. Recommended duration from Ruka: 7–9 hours.
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Korouoma Canyon: A deep geological fracture valley known especially for its frozen waterfalls in winter. Korouoma is also a beautiful hiking destination outside the winter season. Recommended duration from Ruka: 6–9 hours.
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Iivaara Nature Reserve - peaceful hiking destination south of Kuusamo with views across the surrounding forests and lakes.
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Valtavaara Nature Reserve: Fell landscapes and hiking trails close to Ruka. Valtavaara is a good choice when you want to spend more of your time outdoors and less time driving. Recommended duration from Ruka: 2–6 hours.
Not sure where to go? Ask your guide. Weather, snow, trail and road conditions can vary considerably in the North. We can recommend the destination that works best on the day of your experience.
Prices
Private Winter Experiences
In winter private tours can include snowshoeing, winter hiking, nature photography, campfire stops and exploring snow-covered forests and fells.
Snowshoes, poles and light traction equipment are provided when required for the selected experience.
We choose the equipment according to the snow and trail conditions. Sometimes a winter trail is packed enough for normal winter boots; after fresh snowfall, snowshoes may be the best way to travel.
Winter Clothing Rental
You don't need to own Arctic winter clothing to join us. Warm winter clothing can be rented from Winterent for private winter experiences. Winter clothing rental is an optional extra and is not automatically included in the private guide price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire a private hiking guide in Ruka?
Yes. MyTrail offers private nature guides for 2–9 hour experiences from Ruka. Tours are available for solo travellers and private groups of up to 8 guests.
Can I book a private guide for Riisitunturi National Park or Oulanka National Park?
Yes. Riisitunturi and Oulanka are two of our most popular private destinations. Both can be visited on a short 2–3 hour experience or as a longer half- or full-day excursion. National Parks are open 24/7, so you can choose sunrise, sunset, night tour, golden hour or blue moment.
Is transportation included?
Yes. Private transportation from Ruka area and Kuusamo center is included. The booked duration includes driving time.
Can you pick us up from our accommodation?
Yes. Pickup and return from accommodation in the Ruka area are included. If you are staying elsewhere in Kuusamo or arriving from Rovaniemi, please contact us to arrange the most practical meeting point or additional transportation.
Can you organise a private tour for families with children?
Yes. Private experiences are particularly suitable for families because we can adjust the destination, distance, pace and equipment according to the children's ages. In winter time children can also sit in pulkka (sled) in most destinations.
Do you provide snowshoes?
Yes. Snowshoes or light crampons are provided when needed in winter.
Do we need winter clothing?
You need proper winter clothing for outdoor activities in Finnish winter conditions. If you don't have suitable clothing, you can rent warm winter clothing from Winterent/MyTrail. Please reserve rental clothing in advance and provide the sizes of all participants.
Can we choose the destination?
Yes. You can choose your destination or ask your local guide to recommend the best option based on weather, trail conditions and your interests.
Do we need hiking experience?
Not necessarily. We offer everything from short and easy nature experiences to demanding full-day hikes.
Tell us about your experience and fitness level when booking and we will recommend a suitable route.
Is food included?
Trail snacks or a campfire meal are included in selected longer experiences. What is included depends on the duration and programme you book. If you have allergies or dietary requirements, please let us know in advance.
How many people can join a private tour?
Our standard private nature experiences are available for 1–8 guests. Please contact us for larger groups.
Where can we go with a private guide?
Possible destinations include Ruka area, Riisitunturi National Park, Oulanka National Park, Salla National Park, Hossa National Park, Syöte National Park, Korouoma Canyon, Iivaara and Valtavaara nature reserves. The destination possibilities depend on the duration of your booking, season and current conditions.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Nature experiences in Finland operate in a wide range of weather conditions. Your guide may adjust the route, destination, starting time or equipment when this makes the experience safer or more enjoyable. This flexibility is one of the advantages of booking a private guide.