Horse Riding in Finland: Lapland Wilderness on the Native Finnhorse
Horse riding in Finland means Lapland. In parts of Finnish Lapland, population density falls to well below one person per square kilometer. This is genuine wilderness — moss-covered forests, tundra plateaus, crystal-clear rivers, and fells that stretch to the horizon without a road in sight. Riding here offers one of Europe's most remote wilderness experiences.
Most riding routes follow trails through ancient boreal forest, climb to fell summits with panoramic Arctic views, and cross rivers on horseback. Reindeer are a regular presence along the trails — unencumbered by fences, they appear and disappear into the trees without ceremony. The silence between hoofbeats becomes part of the experience.
The Finnhorse
Finland's native breed — the Finnhorse, or Suomenhevonen — is the horse you'll ride here. It's the only breed developed entirely in Finland, shaped over centuries by the demands of this landscape and climate. Compact, strong, and remarkably sure-footed, Finnhorses are known for their calm, willing temperament, making them well suited to riders of all experience levels, including those in the saddle for the first time. On multi-day expeditions, riders take an active role in the care of their horse — a relationship that tends to define the trip.
What Lapland offers riders
The riding season in Lapland runs from June through October. Summer brings the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun — in the northernmost parts of Finnish Lapland, the sun does not set for weeks. Riding in the long evening light across open tundra is a distinctive experience. From late August, the sky begins to shift and the first Northern Lights appear on clear nights. September and early October bring autumn colours to the forest — the Finnish concept of ruska, when birches and rowans turn gold and red across the hillsides.
Beyond its wilderness landscapes, Lapland has a rich cultural history. The region has a gold rush history — prospectors combed these rivers from the 1860s onwards, and gold panning sites along some routes still tell that story. The Finnish sauna is woven into every overnight stay, from riverside tent saunas to wood-heated cabins deep in the forest.
What to expect
Riding options range from short guided forest rides suitable for complete beginners and families, to multi-day wilderness expeditions rated Extreme and designed for physically fit, experienced riders comfortable managing their own horse across demanding terrain. Accommodation ranges from wilderness cabins with glass ceilings beneath the northern sky to shared riverside tents.
Finnish Lapland can be experienced in many different ways on horseback — from short evening rides beneath the Midnight Sun to demanding week-long wilderness expeditions deep into the Arctic backcountry.
