Walk frozen sea to Laitakari ruins with Northern Lights: Kemi

Cross the frozen sea and stand in Arctic ruins under the stars

This three-hour Arctic tour from Kemi takes you on a one-kilometer walk across the frozen northern sea to the remote island of Laitakari, where you explore the snow-covered ruins of Old Kemi before settling at a campfire shelter for BBQ, hot berry juice and cookies. A live guide in English or Finnish leads the expedition, and children from age 4 are welcome. The isolated location and fire-warmed shelter create prime conditions for spotting the Northern Lights as night falls.

The Experience

The adventure starts at the Kemi Snowcastle, where your guide meets you before the trek begins. From there, you walk one kilometer across the frozen expanse of the northern sea—a feat most Arctic visitors never attempt. The ice beneath your feet is solid enough to cross, but the scale of it, the silence, and the distance from shore make the walk itself the first unforgettable part of the day. You're not sightseeing from a vehicle; you're moving through the landscape on foot, feeling the Arctic's scale.

Once you reach Laitakari, the island opens up around you. A snow-covered forest surrounds the atmospheric ruins of Old Kemi, and you walk another 500 meters deeper into that quiet to reach a specially prepared shelter. The ruins stand in the snow, and you have time to move through them, to stand in the spaces where people once lived, before the evening pulls your attention to the fire and the sky. This is not a rushed stop; the extended time at the shelter is built in so you can absorb both the history and the isolation.

As darkness settles, the campfire becomes your anchor. BBQ, hot berry juice, and cookies warm you from the outside in, and the fire keeps the shelter comfortable enough to stay put for hours. The location is chosen specifically for darkness—away from civilization and light pollution—which is what makes the Northern Lights visible when they appear. You're not hunting them from a moving vehicle or a crowded viewpoint; you're sitting still in a place built for watching, with a guide who knows what to look for and when to look up.

What’s included

• Live guide in English or Finnish.
• BBQ and hot berry juice.
• cookies.
• campfire shelter and warmth throughout the evening.
• snacks.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Magical-Lapland

Is this one for you?Small groups work best here because the campfire shelter and the Northern Lights viewing spot are built for intimate numbers—you're not competing for sightlines or warmth, and the guide can keep track of everyone across the frozen sea and through the ruins. If you want to see the Aurora without the rush of a larger tour or the isolation of going alone, this is the setup that makes it possible.

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Top questions

How far is the walk across the frozen sea, and what's the ice like underfoot?

The walk to Laitakari is one kilometer across the frozen northern sea. The ice is solid enough to cross on foot, and your guide leads the way, but the distance and the Arctic environment make it a genuine expedition rather than a casual stroll.

What happens at the ruins of Old Kemi, and how much time do you spend there?

Old Kemi's snow-covered ruins stand on Laitakari island, and you explore them after the sea crossing. You walk 500 meters further into the island to reach the campfire shelter, giving you an extended period to move through the ruins and absorb the atmosphere before settling in for the evening.

What food and drinks are included, and will I be warm enough sitting outside?

BBQ, hot berry juice, and cookies are included. You eat and drink at a specially prepared shelter with a crackling campfire, which keeps you warm and comfortable throughout the evening, so you can stay outside watching the sky without getting cold.

What are the chances of seeing the Northern Lights on this tour?

The tour is designed around Northern Lights viewing: the isolated location, the fire-warmed shelter, and the extended time at the site all maximize your chances. The guide knows when and where to look, but the Aurora is a natural phenomenon and sightings depend on solar activity and clear skies on the night you go.

Can children come on this walk, and is it suitable for people who aren't very fit?

Children are welcome from age 4. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it does involve a one-kilometer walk across frozen sea and 500 meters on the island, so a basic level of mobility is needed. Pregnant travelers are not recommended for this tour.