Understanding autumn horse riding treks in Finnish Lapland
Autumn horse riding treks in Finnish Lapland offer a magical wilderness experience unlike any other season. As summer’s midnight sun gives way to darker evenings and the landscape transforms into a brilliant tapestry of reds, oranges, and golds, horseback becomes one of the most intimate ways to experience Lapland’s autumn splendour. These treks allow you to venture deep into areas inaccessible by vehicle, accompanied by our gentle, sure-footed Finn horses who are perfectly adapted to the northern terrain.
The autumn season, typically spanning from late August through October, presents ideal conditions for horse trekking. The temperatures are refreshingly cool but not yet wintertime cold, hovering between 0-15°C. The air is crisp and invigorating, and the notorious summer mosquitoes have disappeared. Most importantly, this period offers a perfect balance of natural phenomena—daylight hours remain sufficient for extended riding, while evenings grow dark enough to potentially witness the northern lights after your day’s adventure.
What makes autumn treks particularly special is the sensory experience: the sound of leaves crunching beneath your horse’s hooves, the scent of wild mushrooms and berries in the forest, and the peaceful atmosphere that descends upon Lapland as it prepares for winter. Our routes carefully balance forest trails, open meadows, and ridgelines that provide panoramic views of the autumn landscape.
How long are typical autumn horse riding treks in Finnish Lapland?
Autumn horse riding treks in Finnish Lapland vary in duration, from brief introductory experiences to extended wilderness journeys. The available options include:
- Short experiences (1 hour or 2 hours): Perfect for beginners or those with limited time, these introductory rides cover local forests and meadows.
- Extended trek (5 hours): Comprehensive day trips with multiple rest stops and a wilderness lunch, covering varied terrain.
- Multi-day expeditions (2 days or 3 days): Our signature wilderness experiences featuring daily riding with overnight stays in wilderness accommodations.
The duration of each trek is influenced by several factors. Trail difficulty plays a crucial role—routes with challenging terrain or significant elevation changes require a slower pace. Seasonal conditions also impact timing, as autumn in Lapland can bring occasional rain or early frost that may affect trail conditions. Most importantly, we adjust our pace to accommodate the experience level of our participants, ensuring everyone enjoys a comfortable and safe journey.
At Polar Lights Tours, we carefully design our autumn treks to balance riding time with opportunities to appreciate the surroundings. Our multi-day adventures are optimally paced for enjoying the experience without overtiring riders or horses. This schedule also allows ample time for photography, nature observation, and evening activities like northern lights viewing.
What type of accommodation is offered during multi-day horse treks?
Multi-day autumn horse treks in Finnish Lapland feature a range of authentic wilderness accommodations that enhance the overall experience while providing necessary comfort after a day in the saddle. At Polar Lights Tours, we offer three distinctive accommodation options:
Aurora Wilderness Cabin
Our Aurora cabins, nestled in the serene wilderness of Levi, Finnish Lapland, offer 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.
Cozy Kammi Experience
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.
Wilderness Caravan Adventure
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!
When is the best time to see fall colors during horse riding treks?
The optimal time to witness Lapland’s spectacular fall colors—known locally as “ruska“—during horse riding treks is typically from mid-September to early October. This natural phenomenon transforms Finnish Lapland into a breathtaking canvas of crimson, amber, and gold, creating ideal conditions for memorable horseback adventures through the wilderness.
The timing of ruska varies slightly each year depending on temperature patterns, but it generally follows a predictable progression. The transformation begins in northern Lapland around early September, with peak colors occurring around mid-September. The colorful wave then gradually moves southward, with the height of autumn foliage in southern Lapland typically arriving in late September to early October. This relatively brief window of spectacular color makes timing your horse trek particularly important if witnessing ruska is a priority.
During a horse riding trek in peak ruska season, you’ll traverse landscapes offering remarkable visual diversity. Birch forests turn brilliant yellow, while ground vegetation—including blueberry and lingonberry bushes—creates a vibrant red carpet beneath your horse’s hooves. Mountain ash trees display clusters of bright orange berries, and dwarf birch covering the fells transforms into spectacular shades of red. The contrasts are particularly striking when these colors appear alongside the deep greens of pine forests and the reflective surfaces of Lapland’s countless lakes and rivers.
At Polar Lights Tours, we’ve carefully mapped our autumn riding routes to maximize exposure to the most dramatic ruska displays. Our treks incorporate ridgeline trails offering panoramic views of color-drenched valleys, forest paths through golden birch groves, and strategic rest stops at elevated viewpoints perfect for photography. The unhurried pace of horseback travel is ideally suited for appreciating these visual splendors, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the sensory experience of autumn in Lapland.
Can you see northern lights during autumn horse riding experiences?
Yes, autumn in Finnish Lapland offers excellent opportunities to witness the northern lights (aurora borealis) during horse riding experiences, particularly from late August onwards when nights become sufficiently dark. This magical combination of daytime riding through autumn foliage and evening aurora viewing creates a truly special wilderness experience.
The autumn season presents ideal conditions for northern lights observation. Clear, crisp nights are relatively common, and temperatures remain comfortable enough for extended outdoor viewing, unlike the extreme cold of winter months. The decreased humidity in autumn air also contributes to better visibility. Most importantly, autumn offers a balanced light cycle—days remain long enough for substantial riding adventures, while nights are dark enough for aurora viewing.
At Polar Lights Tours, we specifically design our autumn horse treks to capitalize on this potential. Our multi-day journeys include accommodations situated in locations with minimal light pollution, maximizing your chances of witnessing this natural phenomenon. Wilderness cabins and glamping sites are selected not only for their comfort but also for their northern horizon views—critical for aurora spotting.
After each day of riding, we offer guidance to help guests spot the Northern Lights. This includes:
- Our staff monitors weather conditions and notifies guests when the Northern Lights become visible
- Guidance to the best viewing locations during auroral activity (weather and conditions permitting)
- Comfortable outdoor seating areas with campfires where you can stay warm while watching the sky
- Photography tips and assistance to help you capture these unforgettable moments
The combination of horseback riding through autumn landscapes during the day and potential northern lights viewing at night creates a comprehensive Lapland experience that engages all senses. There’s something particularly magical about bonding with your horse through the golden forests by day, then watching the green and purple lights dance above the same landscapes by night—a true Arctic privilege that showcases the full spectrum of Lapland’s natural wonders.
Key takeaways about autumn horse riding experiences with Polar Lights Tours
Autumn horse riding experiences with Polar Lights Tours offer a comprehensive immersion into Finnish Lapland’s most colorful season. Our treks range from 1-hour introductory rides to 3-day wilderness expeditions, with each option carefully designed to balance riding time with opportunities to connect with the northern environment. Our available durations include 1-hour, 2-hour, and 5-hour day trips, plus our multi-day expeditions lasting 2 days or 3 days.
What distinguishes our approach is how we integrate accommodation and activities into cohesive packages. Rather than treating lodging as simply a place to rest, our carefully selected accommodation options—Aurora Wilderness Cabin, Cozy Kammi Experience, and Wilderness Caravan Adventure—become integral components of the experience. Evening activities at these locations—from traditional sauna rituals to northern lights viewing—complement and enhance the daytime riding adventures, creating a seamless journey through Lapland’s autumn landscapes.
The seasonal highlights of our autumn treks include:
- Experiencing the spectacular ruska (fall foliage) from horseback, with peak colors typically occurring from mid-September to early October
- Opportunities to witness the northern lights during late August and autumn evenings, with accommodations strategically positioned for optimal aurora viewing
- Enjoying Lapland’s wilderness during its most comfortable season—after summer’s insects have disappeared but before winter’s extreme cold arrives
- Foraging opportunities for wild berries and mushrooms that reach their peak during autumn months
- Crossing paths with local wildlife preparing for winter, including reindeer returning from summer pastures
Our friendly Finn horses provide the perfect companions for these journeys—their calm temperament and sure-footedness on variable terrain make them ideal for both novice and experienced riders. These native horses have evolved alongside Finland’s natural rhythms, making them particularly well-suited to autumn conditions.
Whether you choose a brief 1-hour encounter with Lapland’s autumn splendor or a comprehensive 3-day wilderness expedition, our horse riding experiences offer an authentic way to connect with Finnish nature and traditions. The combination of daytime riding through gold-tinted forests and evenings spent watching for the northern lights creates memories that capture the essence of autumn in the Arctic—a perfect balance of adventure and tranquility in one of Europe’s last true wildernesses.
