Rovaniemi Wilderness Survival Tour: Learn Arctic Skills

Read the forest and build a fire the way Lapland's inhabitants do

A 3.5-hour wilderness survival class in Rovaniemi's Taiga forest where you learn to identify animal tracks, build fires, and understand the plants and wildlife of Lapland with a professional guide. Winter brings snow-covered terrain and temperatures that can drop to −30°C, along with the chance to spot tracks from wolves, lynx, wolverines, moose, reindeer and Arctic hare. The guide adjusts the route's difficulty to match your ability.

The experience

What separates a walk in the woods from a survival class is instruction, and that's what you get here. Your guide teaches you to read the snow for animal tracks (wolves, lynx, wolverines, moose, reindeer, weasels, Arctic hare), and explains what each one tells you about the forest's inhabitants. You'll learn the properties of the trees and plants around you and how to use them. Halfway through, the guide builds a fire the traditional way and walks you through the process so you can do it yourself. This is also when you get Finnish campfire snacks and hot coffee or tea to warm up.

The Taiga forest in winter is the setting for all of this. You'll see huge snow drifts, white trails and frozen trees, with temperatures that can drop to −30°C. The guide discusses the route's difficulty with you at pickup and adjusts it based on your fitness and comfort. There's no single "hard" version everyone follows. Professional winter clothing and boots are provided, so you don't need to own them.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations outside the city center. The tour runs year-round, so the seasonal details change, but winter is when the snow makes animal tracking easiest to learn and see.

What’s included

• Professional guide leading the activity.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.
• professional winter clothing and boots.
• hotel pickup and drop-off for accommodations outside the city center.
• snacks and hot coffee or tea provided during the campfire break.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (15 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Wild About Lapland

Is this one for you?Small groups mean you get personalized instruction on reading tracks and building fires, with the guide adjusting the route to your fitness level rather than rushing everyone through the same path. This suits anyone who wants to learn practical skills in the Arctic forest rather than simply walk through it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of animal tracks will I actually see in the snow?

Wolves, lynx, wolverines, moose, reindeer, weasels and Arctic hare all leave tracks in the Taiga forest, and your guide teaches you to read them. What you find depends on the day and the weather, but the guide shows you how to spot and interpret the signs that are there.

How cold does it get, and will I be warm enough?

Winter temperatures in Rovaniemi can drop to −30°C. Professional winter clothing and boots are provided as part of the tour, and halfway through the guide builds a fire where you warm up with hot coffee or tea and Finnish campfire snacks.

Can I do this tour if I'm not very fit?

The guide adjusts the route's difficulty based on your fitness level and ability, so you discuss what works for you at pickup. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health.

What happens if the weather is really bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for the season and temperature, and the guide will make sure you have the right gear: professional winter clothing and boots are included.