Exploring fall horse riding adventures for beginners in Finnish Lapland
Fall in Finnish Lapland transforms the wilderness into a breathtaking tapestry of reds, oranges, and golds—the phenomenon known locally as “ruska.” This spectacular seasonal display creates the perfect backdrop for beginners embarking on their first horse riding adventure. At Polar Lights Tours, we’ve carefully crafted experiences that allow even complete novices to connect with the stunning autumn landscape on horseback. We offer rides of various durations to suit your schedule and experience level: 1-hour, 2-hour, 5-hour, 2-day, and 3-day adventures.
The fall season offers unique advantages for first-time riders. The temperatures are comfortably cool but not yet cold, creating ideal conditions for both horses and riders. The summer crowds have diminished, allowing for a more peaceful experience of Lapland’s wilderness. Mosquitoes and other insects have largely disappeared, making it considerably more pleasant to spend time outdoors.
Our carefully selected Finnish horses—a breed known for their calm temperament and sure-footedness—are particularly suited to carrying beginners through the varied terrain. These hardy native horses have evolved to navigate the Finnish wilderness with ease, providing a stable and confidence-building mount for those new to riding.
The slower pace of autumn also complements the beginner’s journey, allowing time to adjust to the rhythm of horseback travel while absorbing the extraordinary natural beauty. As evenings grow darker from late August onwards, there’s even the possibility of witnessing the northern lights during your adventure—combining two bucket-list experiences in one unforgettable journey.
What makes fall horse riding in Kittilä suitable for beginners?
Fall horse riding in Kittilä offers ideal conditions specifically designed to welcome beginners. The combination of gentle terrain, specially trained horses, and expert guides creates the perfect environment for those new to horseback riding to develop confidence and skills while enjoying Lapland’s stunning autumn landscapes.
Our Finnish horses are particularly well-suited for novice riders. These native breeds possess naturally calm and patient temperaments, making them excellent teachers for beginners. Their sure-footedness on varied terrain provides security and stability, allowing first-time riders to relax and enjoy the experience rather than feeling anxious. We carefully match each rider with a horse that suits their size and personality, ensuring a comfortable partnership from the start.
The fall landscape in Kittilä features accessible trails through forests and gentle valleys, avoiding challenging obstacles that might intimidate beginners. The moderate slopes and well-maintained paths allow for an enjoyable ride without overwhelming technical challenges. The ground conditions in autumn offer good footing for the horses without the slipperiness of rain-soaked summer paths or the challenges of winter snow.
Our expert guides specialise in working with beginners, offering patient instruction and constant supervision. They maintain a slower pace during autumn treks, allowing new riders to gradually build their skills and confidence. These guides are not only skilled horsemen and women but also knowledgeable about the local environment, enhancing your experience with insights about the spectacular ruska colors and the natural ecology of Finnish Lapland.
The comfortable autumn temperatures—typically ranging from 5-15°C—are ideal for riding, warm enough to be pleasant but cool enough to prevent overheating during physical activity. This moderate climate creates optimal conditions for both horses and riders to enjoy longer outings without discomfort.
What should beginners expect during a fall horse riding adventure?
A fall horse riding adventure with Polar Lights Tours begins with a comprehensive safety briefing and basic riding instruction tailored specifically for beginners. Our experienced guides will introduce you to your Finnish horse, demonstrating how to approach, mount, and communicate with your equine companion. You’ll learn essential commands and proper posture to ensure a comfortable and secure ride.
Before setting off, you’ll receive all necessary equipment, including a properly fitted riding helmet and any seasonal gear needed for autumn conditions. Our guides will check your saddle and make adjustments to ensure it fits both you and the horse correctly. This initial preparation typically takes about 30-45 minutes, allowing you to become acquainted with your horse and the basics of riding.
The ride itself will begin at a gentle walking pace along easy trails. For complete beginners, we offer various durations to choose from: 1-hour, 2-hour, and 5-hour rides are perfect for day trips, while our 2-day and 3-day adventures provide a more immersive experience in Lapland’s wilderness. The terrain will include forest paths carpeted with fallen leaves, open meadows offering panoramic views, and occasionally gentle slopes that provide variety without being challenging.
Throughout the journey, you’ll be immersed in the spectacular autumn landscapes of Kittilä. The vibrant ruska colors transform the forests into a natural painting of reds, oranges, and yellows. Your guide will point out interesting features of the Lappish wilderness, including native plants, wildlife habitats, and cultural landmarks.
We include comfortable breaks during the ride, allowing you to rest, take photographs, and enjoy the scenery. These pauses often include light refreshments of local berries, warm drinks, or traditional Finnish snacks served around a small campfire, giving you a taste of authentic Lappish outdoor culture.
Upon returning to our base, you’ll learn the basics of horse care, including the proper way to dismount, remove tack, and thank your four-legged guide for the journey. Many beginners find this connection with the horse to be a meaningful part of the overall experience.
How do accommodation options enhance the fall horse riding experience?
Our thoughtfully designed accommodation packages serve as the perfect complement to your fall horse riding adventures in Kittilä. These lodgings don’t merely provide a place to sleep—they become an integral part of your immersive wilderness experience, extending the connection with Lapland’s autumn beauty beyond the saddle. Our 2-day and 3-day riding adventures include carefully selected accommodation options that enhance your experience.
At Polar Lights Tours, we offer three distinct accommodation options to complement your horse riding journey. Our Aurora Wilderness Cabin, nestled in the serene wilderness of Levi, Finnish Lapland, offers a peaceful retreat. Our guide will escort you through the woods to ensure a comfortable arrival. From late May to late July, you can enjoy the Midnight Sun, while from late August to early April, you might witness a sky full of stars or the Northern Lights. The cabins feature large windows, including a roof window, for stunning views. Inside, you’ll find an eco-toilet for convenience. This overnight experience includes a light evening meal and breakfast featuring Finnish specialties.
For those seeking a deeper wilderness connection, our Cozy Kammi Experience allows you to spend a night in our round and cozy kammi building, where you can experience the intimacy of the wilderness while sleeping warmly in sleeping bags. Located on our horse and husky farm, the kammi offers an opportunity to meet and learn about our animals in the evening. Enjoy a dinner made with Finnish ingredients inside the kammi, and then relax in a hammock outside, gazing at the night sky and possibly seeing stars or the Northern Lights. In the morning, wake up to find a breakfast basket waiting outside.
Our Wilderness Caravan Adventure provides options to stay in a motorhome, caravan, private tent, or hammock. Our farm is located along Muonio Road, about a 10-minute drive from Levi towards Muonio. Enjoy nature, take a dip in the river, or rent a barrel sauna. We have 5 electric caravan pitches, unlimited tent and hammock spots, and offer all necessary services: Kammi atmospheric cooking and an open fire in the chamber, toilets and indoor WC, water point, electrical outlets (5 pcs), and drainage of chemical toilets and grey water. Guided tours to get to know our horses and dogs are included in the price!
The strategic location of our accommodations allows you to witness the changing beauty of autumn throughout the day—from misty mornings casting the ruska colors in soft light to evenings when the low autumn sun creates a golden glow across the landscape. The tranquility of these wilderness settings enhances your ability to process and absorb the day’s riding experiences.
When is the best time to see northern lights during fall horse riding trips?
The best time to combine horse riding with northern lights viewing in Kittilä begins in late August and extends through September and early October. This window offers the magical combination of autumn’s vibrant ruska colors by day and potential aurora displays by night, creating a truly exceptional Lapland experience.
Late August marks the beginning of darker evenings in Finnish Lapland, with sufficient darkness returning to make aurora viewing possible. By September, the night skies are properly dark for several hours, significantly increasing your chances of witnessing the northern lights during your stay. This timing perfectly aligns with the peak of autumn colors, allowing you to experience two of Lapland’s most spectacular natural phenomena in one trip.
At Polar Lights Tours, we offer special evening riding experiences during this optimal period. These carefully timed excursions allow you to be out on horseback as daylight fades, positioning you in scenic locations with unobstructed views of the northern sky just as darkness falls. Our 5-hour, 2-day, and 3-day adventures provide the best opportunities for combining riding with aurora viewing, as they extend into the evening hours when the lights are most visible.
Our Aurora Wilderness Cabins play an important role in maximizing your chances of seeing the northern lights. Featured in many of our accommodation packages, these specially designed cabins include large windows and roof windows that allow you to monitor the sky throughout the night from the comfort of your bed. This makes them perfect for northern lights viewing during your fall horse riding adventure.
For those staying multiple nights, we provide aurora alerts, notifying you when conditions are favorable or when a display begins. This service helps ensure you don’t miss an opportunity to witness this natural spectacle, even if it occurs in the early morning hours when you might otherwise be sleeping.
While the northern lights are a natural phenomenon that can never be guaranteed, autumn offers statistical advantages. The fall season typically experiences more stable weather compared to winter, often resulting in clearer skies—a crucial factor for aurora visibility. The moderate temperatures also make it more comfortable to spend extended periods outdoors watching the sky without the extreme cold of winter.
If the aurora appears during your stay, our guides can help you capture photographs of this spectacular phenomenon, ensuring you have lasting memories of your autumn horse riding and northern lights adventure in Kittilä.
At Polar Lights Tours, we specially design our fall horse riding experiences with first-timers in mind, featuring gentle Finnish horses, thorough safety briefings, and experienced guides who adjust the pace to suit complete novices. Our rides come in various durations to suit all schedules and comfort levels: 1-hour, 2-hour, 5-hour, 2-day, and 3-day adventures. The crisp air, fewer insects, and potential for early northern lights sightings from late August make fall the perfect season for beginners to discover Lapland’s wilderness on horseback.
