Walking in Lapland Rumakuru

 

Mary and Kirsty joined Michael, Katia and me on this walk to Rumakuru. 

A familar start straight down the trail to the cafe at Laanila. The usual teas, coffees and cakes. The quality is really good, really enjoyable. Anyway that is the first mile done not quick but tasty.

The scenery through the forest on the way to the hill at Rumakuru was typically trees, streams and pools. Conversation was extensive and it was a pleasant way to stroll through the woods. 

We got to a bridge over a stream and a team photos was the order of the day. The weather was dull but warm.

Further and further through the forest the trail went until it started to rise and the underfoot became a little more rocky but it was a gentle hill. The trees began to thin and we could see the hills in the distance.

Going over the brow of the hill was easy. The views were, as ever, of the rounded hills of the area.

Down the other side the path was rocky and got steeper and steeper so it was tricky to negotiate. We took our time and all made it to the bottom in one piece.

We passed a few people some we had seen before and had little chats here and there. The half way point at Rumakuru was again filled with sausages and coffee. Luckily this time it was reindeer sausage. Its just like beef sausages, they are farmed not wild. We stayed a while and chatted with the other sausage grillers who this time did not desert us.

Retracing our tracks we passed the point at which we had descended off the hill.

This beautiful reindeer was in the copse by the path and he moved away when we appeared. I was glad he was there as it was the first one of the day.

There were quite a few fat tyred bikes on the route but most of the riders were ok. Katia explained we should shout etiketti at any who transgressed the rules by not ringing their bell to warn us or going too fast, so we did.

We left the main cycle track and followed a path down a valley. Not the easiest of paths to follow as the winter ski bridges were in the swamps. At one point we had to jump on and off a bridge as it was an unpassable route due to a fallen tree.

The plank walkways across the swamps were fun.

We followed the stream down the valley with an old couple and a group of about 10 sharing the trail. It really was verdant and refreshing. The trail joined the early morning trail and we retraced our steps to the cabin.

Distance          9.19 miles

Time in motion 3.31 hours

Total Ascent        575 ft

The elapsed time was nearly 6 hours as we stopped often to eat and talk to people as well as appreciating the views. A good walk not too hilly and full of arctic fresh air, lovely.