Press Digest 8th May 2007

AN ALTERNATIVE TO HARD ROCK HALLELUJAH
THE WILDERNESS OF FINLAND’S BEAR TRAIL

Other than excessive costume design, lyrical monster themes and eventual success of Lordi’s 2006 Eurovision entry, Finland is also proud to present The Bear Trail, Scandinavia’s most well known long-distance hiking trail. As the sounds of popular music continue to resonate across Finland (with yet another entry for 2007), Walks Worldwide offer an alternative non-staged performance with natural talent set against a spectacular backdrop. This 9-day trekking holiday takes travellers through pristine wild forests, over extensive aapa mires (non-forested peatland) and along rugged riverbanks with numerous possibilities of spotting Brown Bear, Elk, migrating birds and interesting flora, departs London 1st and 15th September 2007.

Finland’s beautiful Oulanka National Park merges with the Russian Paanajarvi National Park to the east and offers fantastic walking country. Its exceptional habitats and microclimates are home to a wide variety of flora, attracting brown bear, elk and numerous migrating birds. Along the 60-kilometre trail, walkers stay in secluded forest cabins and lakeside cottages, and with daily luggage transfers this bewitching region can be fully appreciated unencumbered. Hike to the famous 14km long canyon of Kiutakongas, an incredible area created during the ice age and where reminders of the first settlers can still be found. Follow the Oulankajoki River through remote wilderness to a boat crossing which takes travellers to their next lodge. Leaving the Oulankajoki behind, stride out over rolling hills and marshlands, home to many interesting lichen, wild flowers and birds to the shores of the ferocious Kitkajoki and the spectacular Myllykoski rapids. Next, follow the Little Bear Trail across hanging bridges and up-and-down wooden staircases winding through the undergrowth. Arrive at the rugged Jyrava Falls, with sweeping views over the river, its islands and far shores. Continue through rural farmland with a quick visit to the scenic Joenniskan Rocks before enjoying a unique dinner in a kota restaurant, followed by a pore-cleansing and muscle-relaxing Finnish tent sauna. Onwards, climb up through the Valtavaara Nature Reserve observing spectacular views of the trail, before finally emerging at the pistes of Ruka, a popular winter ski resort. The tour concludes in Helsinki with an opportunity to explore a very friendly and beautiful city.

The tour costs £1,375 p/p including scheduled flights, forest cabin, lakeside cottage, hotel and camping accommodation, most meals, saunas, luggage transfers and expert guiding.

Walks Worldwide