Active Outdoors along Bothnian Coastal Route – winter
- The itinerary is designed for FIT travelers.
- Kindly note that most guided activities have a minimum of 4 persons.
- The mentioned opening hours, and tour times apply for summer 2024 and are due to changes.
- See Distance table for driving distance between destinations.
Day 1: Arrival in Oulu
Arrival at Oulu (OUL) airport.
Several flight connections from Europe via Helsinki-Vantaa are available. Direct flight connection to Munich.
Accommodation and dinner at Nallikari Aalto Apartments.
Start off your Nordic winter stay with a taste of wilderness and possibility to see the amazing Northern Lights over Bothnian Bay.
Day 2: Oulu
Breakfast is served in the restaurant Bistoria Patio, located in the same building as the apartments.
The little lighthouse is a landmark that you probably will see when going out on the ice-fishing excursion.
The drive to Kalajoki takes around 2 hrs and is on main roads that are well maintained also in the winter months.
Day 3: Kalajoki
On arrival at Kalajoki you check in to the cozy apartment of Irish Gastro Pub Sandy Kelt and can grab a bit to eat before you get to explore the arctic beach of Kalajoki by night.
Northern lights are not seldom on the coast and thanks to the open landscapes they are well sighted. Let’s hope you are lucky on your late evening tour!
Day 4: Kalajoki
Today you get to be a musher for a day! On arrival at the husky farm you get to familiarize with the huskies and take on some musher tasks. During the day you get to go on a 10km safari with the lovely arctic sleddogs.
What better way to end this active day than with a Finnish sauna bath. The gentle smoke sauna of Linnakallio is paired with the chill of a dip into the pond by the sauna.
Day 5: Wasaline
Tody the journey continues towards Vaasa. Take the evening ferry to Umeå and spend a day in Vaasa, exploring the Ostrobothnian Museum and enjoying a lunch at Restaurant Hejm.
Wasaline’s Aurora Botnia takes you over Kvarken Strait to Umeå in four hours.
In Umeå Clarion Hotel Uman awaits you, with even an evening meal.
Day 6: Umeå
Head out towares Tavelsjö by car to meet up with the inhabitants of Reindeer Ranch. You get an insight and hands-on experience to reindeer herding at the farm.
After returning to town, you might want to have a Swedish Fika in one of the many cafés in town. Maybe you are up for a cocktail or mocktail? Then Bar Facit is for you. All ingredients are swedish and they can be enjoyed with some small palates.
Day 7: Skellefteå
The drive to Skellefteå is about two hours. Your accommodation is in Medlefors Hotel.
For a genuine Nordic winter feel, you have to try ice bathing. Skellefteå is known for its winter swimming community and annual Scandinavian Championships in the sport.
Wood Hotel is worth a visit even if you are not staying there. There is a culture center and a good restaurant in the hotel building and the hotel – all built in wood – is a landmark and sight as such.
In the evening you make your way to Vitberget and try some rodeling, or alpine style sledding. This fun activity is the best kind of winter fun you can imagine! The ski lift wil take you up to the top of the slope as many times as you wish!
Accommodation at Medlefors Hotel.
Day 8: Piteå
The next winter city is only one hour away, you leave for Piteå after breakfast.
Here a true arctic adventure awaits! Board an ice-breaker for a cruise on the forzen Bothnian Bay. During the cruise there is a swim stop and this time you enter th icy water in a rescue suit.
At Pensionatet you find all that you need. There is a bakery, a small shop and a restaurant. Penionatet also offer ceramics courses on requst (due to availability). The accommodation of Pensionatet is B&B, there are rooms with private bathroom as well as shared facilities.
Day 9: Luleå
The drive to Luleå takes aroud 45min. Luleå unlocks further witner activities for you.
Snowmobiling is a top Nordic winter activity and you can opt for a 2-hrs tour or a 4-hrs tour with lunch.
For the accommodation you can go for a traditional hotel, Stadshotellet, or accommodate in the igloo shaped domes of Ice & Light Village.
For dinner we recommend Restaurant Bistron.
Day 10: Luleå
Another exciting winter day is ahead! Drive to Brändön Lodge and spend the day there while you travel towards HaparandaTornio.
Hovercraft tour takes you to explore the frozen sea and archipelago around Brändön. The hovercraft goes over both ice, ice-eskers and open water, so one can go anywhere on the coast with this vehicle.
Lunch at Brändön before leaving ontinuing your drive (1,5hrs).
Check-in to Hotel Olof.
Dinner in the excellent restaurant of Hotel Olof.
Day 11: HaparandaTornio
Kukkola is a village that stretches over Tornio River and hence is in both Sweden and Finland. Tornio River is the biggest free-flowing river in Europe, rich in whitefish. Trying out ice-fishing here, by the open rapids, is a great experience.
Picnic can be included in the ice-fishing experience.
Forest skis will introduce you to the most traditional way of cross country skiing. When travelling through the snowy forest on these broad skis, no track is needed. Remember to enjoy the still nature.
Accommodation in Hotel Olof.
Day 12: Oulu
The drive to Oulu is about 2hrs. In case you wish to have a slow morning and still spend one night in Oulu, Lapland Hotel is happy to welcome you.
In case you opt to stay one day more, a last break in the Nordic forest might be the reason. Wintry forest has a lot to offer, ask Naturest what is available on the day.
________
Departure from Oulu airport (OUL).
Several flight connections to Europe via Helsinki are available. There is a direct flight connection to Munich by Lufthansa.
English 
Italian 
German 
French