DESTINATIONS
reathe w
ith a reputation for natural beauty – and sporty inhabitants who like to make the most of it – it’s little
wonder that the Nordic region has so much protected land. Norway is currently busy creating 10 new national parks, and expanding eight existing ones, in a bid to protect its nature and biodiversity. In Iceland, around 25% of land is protected, with
the country embracing its Unesco World Heritage- listed natural sites, such as Vatnajökull National Park. And around 15% of Finland’s land is protected too, whether as a nature, forest or seal reserve, a wilderness area, a national hiking area – or a national park. Scandinavia’s newest national park is Salla
National Park, established on New Year’s Day this year, up in the north in Finnish Lapland – all choppy fells and pine forests. Finland’s 41st national park has just 0.6 inhabitants per square kilometre, making it one of the least densely populated areas of Europe. In winter, this highland wilderness of ancient forests is a place for spotting the northern lights while on a reindeer safari, snowmobiling or snowshoeing. And in summer, there are incredible hiking, cycling and fatbiking routes easily accessible from Salla town. Whenever clients go, they can experience
Arctic wellness at its finest in Salla’s vast spas and saunas. Accommodation includes authentic
travelweekly.co.uk NATIONAL PARKS | THE NORDICS
The Nordics are hard to beat when it comes to pristine national parks. Rhonda Carrier offers a look at the region’s newest, plus four more top Scandi nature spots
guesthouses and wilderness cottages to give visitors that get-away-from-it-all feel. Salla also leads the way in Finland’s sustainable tourism drive, with the area having been one of the pilot areas in Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland programme for several years, and local companies already holding environmental certification. With the popularity of nature breaks showing no sign of waning, here are four more Nordic national parks to set your clients up with the ultimate
wilderness breaks for summer and winter. Book it: Crystal Ski offers seven nights’ self-catering at Salla Cabins in Salla from £730, including flights from Manchester, departing January 8, 2023.
crystalski.co.uk
BEST FOR HIKING: Rondane, Norway One of the best-loved spots among hiking-fanatic Norwegians, Rondane in eastern Norway is the country’s oldest national park, founded in 1962. Responsible Travel’s Walking Holiday in Norway takes visitors up some of the park’s 10 peaks that rise
more than 2,000m and offer magnificent views. Book it: The seven-day Walking Holiday Norway costs from £991, including breakfasts and dinners, plus daily lunch packs, but excluding flights.
responsibletravel.com FOR SIGHTING THE ²
2 JUNE 2022
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