Paljakka: A Tranquil Winter Wonderland in Arctic Lakeland

Hidden away in Kainuu, Paljakka is one of Finland’s most overlooked winter destinations. Known as the snowiest place in Finland, the small resort town essentially has a snow guarantee while being far away from mass tourism. With its untouched, pristine nature and unique adventures, it is exactly what travelers dream of when imagining their ideal winter vacation in Finland.

Despite its small size, Paljakka has a lot to offer and you will spend your days walking among reindeer, exploring the peaceful white forests, and seeing the northern lights while sitting in a jacuzzi. With its old-growth forests and countless frozen lakes, it is a winter getaway where pure joy and amazement are common, and where tranquil moments in nature await you. 

As you explore the area, you will find yourself living in the moment so you can fully take in what makes Paljakka so special. Activities here make you feel a connection with nature whether you are snowshoeing through the spruce forests of Paljakka Hill, relaxing in the lakeside sauna, or ice fishing at wilderness lakes. As such, it is an ideal winter destination for nature and adventure lovers.

During my own trip to the Kainuu region, where the arctic landscapes meet the lakes of central Finland, I was enchanted by Paljakka’s distinct charm and laid-back character. It was a trip that reminded me why I love exploring Finland in winter, showed me new perspectives of popular winter activities, and ultimately made Paljakka my favorite winter destination in the Nordic countries.

I visited Paljakka during a press trip organized by Visit Paljakka. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

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How to get to Paljakka

Unless you are driving straight to Paljakka from Helsinki or elsewhere in Finland, you will find yourself in Kajaani, the capital of Kainuu. Located 67 km away from Paljakka, Kajaani serves as the gateway to all destinations in Arctic Lakeland.

The fastest way to get to Kajaani is to fly there from Helsinki. It is the only permanent flight connection and there are one to two Finnair flights per day. Alternatively, you can also take the train there. The travel time from Kajaani to Paljakka is around one hour and you can either rent a car, pre-order a taxi, or arrange an airport pickup with your accommodation. 

Several rental car companies (Avis, Budget, Europcar, Finn-Rent & Hertz) have counters at the airport, so you can pick up your rental car within minutes of landing. The rental car prices start at 33€ per day. I recommend booking your rental via DiscoverCars.

If you want to see more of Finland during your trip, you can also fly to Oulu or Kuusamo which are approximately 2 hours away from Paljakka. Oulu is one of the European Capitals of Culture 2026, so it makes for a good extension of your trip.

Things to Do in Paljakka in Winter

Paljakka is a destination that combines the very best of Finland’s winter outdoor adventures, which enables you to shape your itinerary based on your interests and preferred pace. Hereby, it is particularly easy to personalize your stay, as the local companies work together to offer their guests a seamless  and stress-free experience.

Based on my own experience, I recommend the following unique activities as well as popular things to do in Finland in winter:

1. See the Northern Lights

For many, seeing the northern lights is a once in a lifetime experience, so getting to see them when visiting Finland in winter is a real highlight. In many destinations, it is best to join northern lights tours that take you to areas with little light pollution. In Paljakka, however, this is not necessary and if conditions allow, you can see the aurora right from your accommodation.

Paljakka is surrounded by vast forests so the area is rather dark, and thanks to being located under the aurora oval, the resort town sees frequent aurora displays. As such, your chances of seeing the northern lights are good as long as the night sky is clear while the KP value is high enough.

The first night, Joha messaged us that a green band was visible over the lake, and in less than 5 minutes, I was fully dressed in winter clothes and standing at the Lake Resort’s aurora spot at a wooden bridge with my camera in hand.

Then the second night, the sky suddenly cleared up while we were sitting in the hot tub of the sauna garden, and what started out as a faint green blur turned into a dancing aurora that ‘exploded’ right above us and remained visible for more than an hour.

Feeling beyond blessed, we did not expect to see the northern lights again. However, we once again saw a green band in the sky after learning wilderness survival skills at a kota near Arctic Nest, and immediately rushed to the nearby frozen swamp. The following hour of lying in the snow while taking photos as the aurora danced above us was one of the most memorable moments of my life. I was laughing, crying tears of joy, and feeling breathless all at once.

On my last night in Paljakka, the sky once again cleared up for a few minutes, and we got to witness the northern lights illuminate the sky for the fourth time in a row. Afterward, I could not help but wonder if Paljakka has hidden aurora magic. While I cannot promise that you will see them, you certainly have a good chance as long as the sky is clear while there is sufficient geomagnetic activity.

2. Relax in a Sauna & Ice Swim

With more than 3 million saunas in the country, saunas are deeply rooted in Finnish culture, so no trip to Finland is complete without a rejuvenating sauna session. It is the perfect way to destress, and in winter, the heat is an ideal counterpart to the hours spent in the snow.

If you are staying at the Lake Resort, you have a private sauna in your cabin, and you will likely make good use of it. However, you should not skip the ‘Saunapiha’ (Sauna Garden), which offers the best sauna experience in Paljakka. Located right at the lake, the Sauna Garden consists of three different saunas, an outdoor hot tub for up to 12 people, and an ice swimming hole.

Conversation flowed freely, and with every ladle of water thrown onto the hot stones, more stress evaporated just like the hot steam that filled the air. 

As is traditional, we slapped ourselves with a birch branch ‘vihta’ to improve blood circulation, and eventually we left the warm comfort of the sauna to ice swim in a hole in the frozen lake.

If you have never done it, the mere idea of taking a dip in the icy lake water sounds daunting, but the short ice swim perfectly rounds out the sauna experience and makes you feel present in the moment. Endorphins flood your body, so you exit the water feeling revitalized. Your skin will tingle, and a smile will grace your face.

Sitting in the large hot tub afterwards is the best way to end your sauna experience. As the steam fills the crisp winter air around you, you will feel completely relaxed and ready for more activities in the frozen beauty of Arctic Lakeland.

There are dressing rooms and showers on site so you can book the 3 h guided sauna experience regardless of where you are staying.

3. Visit a Reindeer Farm

During the summer months, around 200,000 reindeer roam freely in Finland, but in winter, the wild animals are located by their owners and brought to fenced-in areas. It is a safety measure that helps protect the animals, and for travelers, it has the benefit that it is easy to see reindeer at the reindeer farms.

Given their natural habitat, these farms are all located in northern Finland, and Paljakka is located in the southernmost reindeer husbandry area of the country. There are several reindeer farms in Kainuu, but Poroparoni Farm close to Paljakka is special as you can walk freely among the reindeer and can feed them. 

Owners Asko Moilanen and Asta Määttä come from families with a long history of reindeer herding and spend a lot of time with the animals, so they are used to being around humans. As such, you have a much more immersive experience than merely feeding them through a fence as you would at other places.

Upon entering the enclosure inhabited by the female reindeer, with a bag full of lichen in hand, reindeer will quickly gather around you. It is a stark contrast to their otherwise hesitant demeanor and the closest interaction you can have with these wild animals. As the reindeer gently nibble the lichen, you can observe their unique features and for a moment, everything else seems to fade away.

Once the bags are empty, the reindeer slowly wander away and you can observe them while walking among the herd. As you walk through the small forest of the enclosure and are surrounded by a hundred reindeer, it is easy to understand why visiting Poroparoni Farm is one of the most unique things to do in Paljakka.

Afterward, you can warm up in the farm’s kota by drinking hot juice and eating homemade biscuits. While in the kota, you have the chance to ask questions about reindeer herding and can buy unique souvenirs made by the family.

During your trip to Paljakka, you can visit the reindeer farm as part of the guaranteed departure group tour on Tuesday or plan an independent visit. Just know that conversations with the owners might be limited, as only the daughter Margareetta speaks English. Aside from visits during which you feed the reindeer, you can also book reindeer sleigh rides.

4. Hike to Hepoköngäs Waterfall

Chasing waterfalls tends to be associated with warmer climates, but the 24-meter-high Hepoköngäs Waterfall is worth a visit year-round. After all, the water and freezing temperatures transform it into an ever-changing ice sculpture during the winter months.

While standing at the viewpoint near the top of the waterfall, all you see is ice and snow, but you can still hear the sound of rushing water. In order to see flowing water, you have to walk to the foot of the falls.

The 600 m long trail leading to the waterfall is wheelchair accessible in summer, so it is a very easy walk on even terrain, even in winter. Be sure to look to the sides of the path while walking to the foot of the falls and you might spot animal tracks in the snow. Rabbit tracks seem to be the most common, but while walking across a bridge over a small stream, you might also spot otter tracks.

After a nice, relaxing walk through the winter forest you will reach a staircase leading down from the accessible viewpoint to the foot of the waterfall. While slippery, walking down the stairs is well worth it, as a stunning view of the frozen cascade awaits you.

Thanks to the continuous water flow, Hepoköngäs looks like a layered snow sculpture. Minerals in the water tint some of the ice, which adds a subtle contrast to the white surroundings, while the pool below the waterfalls appears deep blue.

After cascading down the small cliff, the stream once again returns to a tranquil state and gently winds its way past snow-covered trees. It is a scene that perfectly captures the frozen beauty of nature, and that invites you to linger and observe the serenity.

5. Fat Biking

In Finland, snow on the ground does not stop people from biking, as the thick tires of fat bikes allow you to safely traverse the at times slippery terrain. But while locals bike with ease, a traveler’s first few meters can feel like a slippery, slightly uncontrolled sled ride. As such, it is nice to have an e-fat bike so you can focus on where you are going and on maintaining your balance when you hit an icy patch.

When we reached our turnaround point, I even tried biking along an off-road section with unpacked snow to reach a nearby lake. Doing so proved to be rather challenging as off-road fat biking in winter is significantly harder than doing so on packed snow. Thankfully, the thick snow acts as a cushion if you fall.

6. Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is an underrated winter experience that allows you to venture deep into the forest at your own pace. It enables you to explore places where you only hear the sounds of nature and the crunching of the snow beneath your feet. With its pristine nature, Paljakka has many places that invite you to strap on snowshoes and immerse yourself in the snowy terrain.

You do not have to venture far as the track around the lake right at the Paljakka Lake Resort makes for a nice shorter snowshoeing excursion, but the most fascinating place to snowshoe in Paljakka is the 28 km² Paljakka Nature Reserve. The 384 m high Paljakka Hill is covered by old-growth spruce forest and if you do a guided snowshoeing tour through the protected area, you can learn more about the different trees and the nature reserve.

As you slowly walk through the trees, you will see a lot of naava growing on the trees, which is nature’s testimony to the good air quality in the area. Each step takes you further into the largely untouched forest, and as you walk among towering trees up to 600 years old, you cannot help but wonder how many storms they have weathered.

A snowshoeing excursion in this nature reserve lets you see what nature looks like when it has remained untouched for 200 years. If you look around, you might spot some of the hill’s many springs, and while crossing over frozen swamps, you will see some of the few pine trees to be found in the nature reserve. Because of the heavy snowfall in this region, the berry bushes are hidden under a white cover and the spruce branches are pulled down by the weight of the snow that adorns them. 

7. Dog Sledding

In recent years, dog sledding has become a popular winter activity for travelers, and while it is not traditionally Finnish, many places now offer husky safaris. There are many reputable operators, but to ensure the welfare of the dogs and that the dog safari is ethical, it is vital to do your research.

If you have been dog sledding before, however, the nighttime experience on the 2 km long private training track of Snow Huskies is especially memorable. You do not get to steer the sled, but a ride where only the head torch of the musher illuminates the snowy landscape is a unique experience.

Above you, the stars shine bright, and all that matters is the very moment and the joy of the dogs racing along the track. In the darkness there are fewer distractions, so it feels more peaceful than daytime tours and huddled under a blanket you do not even feel the cold.

8. Hiking with Huskies

Meeting the huskies of Snow Huskies while dog sledding is great, and if you want to spend more time around them, you can go hiking with the huskies. Accompanied by the dogs, you get to explore the winter landscape at a leisurely pace and experience more of the dogs’ playful antics.

In contrast to the fast pace of the sled ride, the walk can almost feel tranquil as you stop when your husky pauses upon catching the scent of a fox that previously crossed the trail. And then, suddenly, the playful spirit of the husky returns at full force with a jump into the deep snow at the side of the trail or puppy eyes begging you for a cuddle.

As a dog owner who adores huskies, I loved hiking with them, as it tends to be relaxing while offering you a different perspective of the area. As such, the 6 km long hike alongside huskies is the perfect addition to any trip to Paljakka.

9. Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is one of the favorite winter activities among Finns, and with its Fishing Park and wilderness lakes, Paljakka offers plenty of spots where you can try your luck. If you book an ice fishing excursion, you will first learn how to drill a hole into the ice and the correct ice fishing technique. 

10. Snowmobiling

When it comes to chasing thrills, few winter activities are as exhilarating as snowmobiling, and in Paljakka, an extensive network of routes invites you to give in to the need for speed. There are 500 km of snowmobile routes, as well as Finland’s first snowmobile freeride area, so you could spend an entire day navigating winding forest routes and speeding across frozen lakes.

Thanks to the heated handlebars of the snowmobiles, your hands stay toasty even on the coldest winter days. The only thing that could put a stop to your adventure would be forgetting your driver’s license. 

Admittedly, it is not the most sustainable activity, so I tend to avoid snowmobiling as a standalone activity, but I happily use it as a mode of transportation in snowy regions. My inner speed demon loves it, so I was glad we used snowmobiles to get to the wilderness lake where we ice fished.

For most of the route, we had to drive at a tame pace of 20 km/h, but upon reaching the frozen lake we got to hit the throttle. At 60 km/h the scenery certainly flew by faster, but the thrill and speed increased in harmony.

On the way back from the wilderness lake, we took the scenic route, and given the stunning views it enabled us to see along the way, it is easy to see why exploring the area with a snowmobile is a popular thing to do in Paljakka.

11. Cross-Country (& Downhill) Skiing

Cross-country skiing is incredibly popular in Finland, so of course there are also many tracks in the Paljakka area. There are suitable cross-country ski trails for all skill levels, so beginners and experienced skiers alike can have a good time on the tracks. Rental gear is available at the Safari Center.

I did not have the time to tackle any of the tracks myself, but was told that the 3.5 km loop on Paljakka Hill is a great option. I walked along a small section of it after snowshoeing, and would have loved to spend some time taking in the serenity of the area while skiing past the snowy trees. If you are an experienced cross-country skier, you can also follow a track all the way from Paljakka to Arctic Nest and then onwards to a kota that offers a scenic view. There is usually a connecting track to another ski center, but this season it is not maintained.

While Paljakka also has downhill skiing slopes on Terriharju Hill, the ski area is currently not open. Efforts to reopen the slopes are ongoing, so you will be able to ski down the slopes again in the future.

12. Visit Puolanka

Their main base, the Pessimism House, is currently closed in winter, but it is still worth seeing if you are heading to Puolanka to go to the store. In summer, it operates as a cafe and is the location of popular musical performances.

Where to eat in Paljakka

Dining options are rather limited in Paljakka, as there is only one regular restaurant. But while this certainly is a limitation, the menu of Safari Kööki & Baari is diverse enough that you can eat a good variety if you spend a week in the resort town. The menu includes both Finnish dishes and international cuisine. We ate many of our meals there and everything I ate was delicious. I particularly loved the soups, which seems to be a common theme whenever I am in Finland.

If you make a reservation, you can also eat a delicious meal that is cooked over open fire in the kota of the Lake Resort.

Travelers staying at Arctic Nest or who book a guided tour or workshop with them, can also eat at the on-side restaurant of the accommodation. 

Of course, you can also prepare your meals in your cabin or holiday apartment, but as there is no grocery store in Paljakka, you have to drive to Puolanka.

FAQ about Paljakka

What is the best time to visit Paljakka in winter?

Paljakka sees the first snow of the season in November and winter tends to linger until late April, so the resort town is a winter wonderland for 5 to 6 months per year. To determine the best time for your visit, you should consider several factors such as the amount of snow you wish to see, the chances of seeing the northern lights, the daylight hours, and the temperature.

January and February are the coldest months, and while the average daytime temperature in January is -8°C, it can drop below -30°C. I experienced -32°C during my own trip, but with the right clothes and a relaxed itinerary, it was not an issue. For me, the icy temperature was part of the experience.

Since most travelers who visit Paljakka are from Finland, it is best to avoid the Finnish holidays. The Christmas break is roughly from December 20 to January 6, and the winter holidays are typically between weeks 8 to 10.

How many days should you spend in Paljakka?

People living in the area tend to book weekend trips, but if you are traveling there from further away and want to experience all the area has to offer, you should spend 6 to 7 days in Paljakka.

I had 5 days, and would have loved to have two additional days so I could have done some more snowshoeing as well as gone cross-country skiing.

When should you book your trip?

Some travelers book their stay in Paljakka a year in advance, but you can also book rather spontaneous trips unless you are planning to travel during the prime travel time. If you want a specific accommodation like the five glass cabins of the Paljakka Lake Resort, I recommend booking your trip 2 to 3 months in advance.

Is Paljakka worth visiting?

Despite its small size, Paljakka offers everything you could possibly want from a winter getaway to Finland, so it is definitely worth visiting. It is one of the best places to visit in Finland during the winter months and chances are that you will fall in love with Paljakka’s laid-back atmosphere, the vast range of activities and beautiful accommodations. It is one of those places that instantly entices you and has you planning a return trip before you even leave.

By now, I have visited quite a few places in Finland in winter, and for me, Paljakka is the best one. It is the perfect winter destination if you want to immerse yourself in nature and escape the crowds enjoying the winter activities Finland is known for. As such, you can truly turn your time in Paljakka into the winter vacation you have always dreamed of.

I loved my time in Paljakka, and I genuinely believe it is the place to visit if you only visit Finland in winter once in your life. There is something so intriguingly special about experiences like wandering among the reindeer at Poroparoni Reindeer Farm, hiking to the frozen Hepoköngäs Waterfall, and snowshoeing through the untouched old-growth forest on Paljakka Hill. At the end of your trip, you will leave Paljakka feeling incredibly fulfilled. And if you are lucky enough to see the northern lights, the experience will be the crowning touch of a magical trip.