Laura Hakulinen
Newbie in Kilpisjärvi, yet already deeply in love with the wilderness and a peaceful lifestyle here in the remote small village. The extraordinary nature and ever changing seasons amaze again and again even a native Finn.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"Places: Helsinki area, Rovaniemi, Northern Norway and western Lapland; so called Fell-Lapland including Pallas, Ylläs, Levi and Kilpisjärvi.
Activities: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking"
How did you get involved in travel?
"Throughout my childhood I visited Finnish Lapland with my grandparents and family. Every spring we spent a week in popular skiing resorts as cross-country skiing tourists. Once I achieved the adulthood, I continued travelling; first I explored the cities of Central Europe. After strolling around the cafés and urban streets in Europe I realised that nature travel is more of my thing. So I started to arrange hiking holidays and other adventures in the Nordic wilderness. These trips left a mark in my heart and one day the crazy idea hit me; what if I moved to northern Lapland and left the city-life behind. And so I did, not regretting the decision at all!"
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"I will never forget the first hiking trip that we organised with a friend of mine for 50 students. Most of us had never been hiking before and we went to Abisko Natural Park in Swedish Lapland just right for the perfect autumn colours. Ever since I’ve tried to do a hiking trip above the Arctic Circle in autumns when the “maaruska” is unbelievably beautiful."