Finland’s pristine forests, fells, lakes and beaches provide idyllic habitats for a variety of creatures, including bears, wolves, eagles, elk and even the world’s rarest seal. Fortunately, there are many guided tours on offer – from bear-watching in northern Lakeland to seal-spotting in Lake Saimaa and bird-watching on the coast.

Explore Europe’s last great wilderness on horseback. Guided rides are widely available throughout Finland, and the country’s many windswept beaches, vast grasslands and thick forests make it the perfect place for an equine trek – travellers might even see the Northern Lights!

Hop on the saddle and explore Finland on two wheels. Whether downhill biking, mountain biking or fat-biking, travellers will find tons of trails and tours available to cyclists of all levels. A few worth mentioning are the Saimaa Archipelago Route, the Archipelago Trail and Iso-Syöte Bike Park. And don’t forget about Finnish cities – many offer free bike or e-bike rentals.

Golf is widely available in Finland – in fact, there are almost 200 courses! The Helsinki region has the biggest concentration, but the Lakeland and Coast and Archipelago regions are also dotted with numerous spots to tee off, including some that offer winter hours or tournaments under the Midnight Sun. Many of the bigger ski resorts in Lakeland and Lapland also have their own 18-hole courses.

Fresh air, clean water and fertile soil make for delicious produce. And thanks to Finnish Everyman’s Rights, both visitors and locals alike are free to feast on it. One popular way to do so is by heading into the woods to forage. From juicy bilberries to tasty chantarelles, Finland’s bounty tastes best fresh off the bush, tree or root. The best part about foraging is eating, and the best way to do it is al fresco. In Finland, most of the country’s 40 national parks include designated campfire sites where visitors can whip up a meal over an open fire.

Driving an ATV (or quad bike) is a fun, thrilling way to explore Finland’s varied terrain. Your group will see the wilderness in a whole new way as they navigate through fields and forests. Lapland is one popular spot to drive – especially underneath the Northern Lights or Midnight Sun – but many areas of Finland offer these exciting excursions.

From fly to ice, river to lake, Finland is a fisherman’s paradise. That’s because the country not only has the world’s largest archipelago, it’s also the land of thousand lakes and has plenty of crystal-clear rivers, creeks and streams full of species like trout, perch, pike and salmon. Guided and fully equipped fishing tours are widely available – travellers can simply grab a rod and cast away!

Being so far north has its benefits: the Aurora Borealis is visible in Finnish Lapland roughly 200 nights a year. And while many associate nature’s most spectacular light show with winter, the most active seasons are actually autumn and spring – all that’s necessary are clear skies, the great outdoors and a bit of luck. Looking for something more luxurious? Book a glass hut so guests can watch the Northern Lights from bed.