The nature of the Arctic Circle Hiking Area is enchanting, just beyond Santa Claus Village. The distance from Santa Claus Village to the hiking area is only 15 km. The stunning rapids of Raudanjoki river, and the Vaattunkiköngäs and Vikaköngäs waterfalls, which run through the area, are just a few steps away. The accessible routes also invite those traveling with prams to enjoy a day outdoors among the rapids surrounded by forest. You can usually walk the trails even in winter. In winter, hikers can also travel via skis or snowshoes to the area’s extensive aapa marshes.
Suitability: well-suited for a day trip for the whole family. Accessible routes.
Auttiköngäs is one of Finland’s most spectacular waterfalls, and the destination offers the peace of a taiga forest. Auttiköngäs’s wonderful day trip destination is about an hour’s drive from Santa Claus Village.
Even the drive along the beautiful Kemijoki river tributary towards Auttiköngäs is an experience. The nature trail that goes to Auttiköngäs takes you over one of Finland’s finest waterfalls. The trail leads you to the peace of northern primeval forests and to an observation tower high on the rock, to look deep into the green of old-growth forests. Auttiköngäs is a great excursion destination, no matter the season. In winter, you can visit Auttiköngäs, for example, on snowshoes.
You can visit the magical Santa’s Forest, full of Christmas trees, following a 2 km guided trail from Santa Claus Village (watch HERE Infomap).
Santa’s Forest was established in the early 2000s, and hundreds of spruce trees of varying age grow there. Planting spruces was originally a Japanese idea.
The nature trail at Santa’s Forest begins at the northwestern edge of Santa Claus Village. Please keep in mind that the path is NOT maintained or cleared after snow has fallen.
During the hike, you will walk along a marked nature trail through mires, marshes, backwoods and dry moorland. Parts of the trail have duckboards. Along the path there are four benches and information boards explaining the surrounding nature. In late summer, an astute and lucky passerby can pick blueberries along the way, which are a common delicacy on this nature trail.
The road ends at the gates of Santa’s Forest. After this, you are free to walk along the undulating gravel path through Father Christmas’s forest. There is a sheltered rest area in the middle of the forest.
The Roosevelt Cottage, located next to Santa Claus Main Post Office, is the oldest building of Santa Claus Village. It was constructed in 1950 in order to celebrate Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt’s visit at Arctic Circle. Read more about the incredible history of Roosevelt Cottage. Today the cabin hosts a souvenir shop of original Lapland reindeer horn products.
Next to the cabin you find an information board about the incredible history of the cabin.
Lapland Safaris offers memorable and magical experiences year-round! For the winter, may we interest you with a snowmobile adventure or perhaps a mystical Aurora Borealis night safari? And in summer, would you like to discover the midnight sun from a river boat cruise? This and much more with Lapland Safaris.
Select a date, check our activities and safaris and book them online: snowmobile safaris, husky and reindeer rides, snowshoeing, river boat cruises, special dinners and more: www.laplandsafaris.com
Wigel is a brand based on Rovaniemi, focusing on reindeer leather accessories. Wigel’s products are made from high, ethically produced reindeer leather in Rovaniemi, respecting nature since 1984. Our roots go back to 1984 with quality, the first generation representative Anna wigelius started manufacturing the products in Utsjoki. Today, our products are made by the hands of second and third generation. Crafts have always been very present in the lives of Sámi people. So it is in our lives also. We have learned our lessons on the apprentice-master principle, just like the Sámi family.
Our factory store is located in the center of Rovaniemi Arctic Design Shop (Valtakatu 24, Rovaniemi). Our products are manufactured in the village of Kivitaipale in Rovaniemi’s countryside.
You are welcome to join us at our own forest base! Our excursions head to the forest in the morning, noon and evening in winter. When the Northern Lights season begins in August-September, we head to the hut in the evenings to hunt for this impressive natural phenomenon.
In winter, at dawn, we can play in the snow, walk in the forest, sled-slide and sit by the fire. Delicious pancakes are baked on the campfire to be enjoyed with berry juice. At the same time, we can let the forest heal us, its healing effects begin after just 7 minutes in the forest. In the afternoon, the blue moment creates its own light in nature, and in the evening we can see the Northern Lights blazing in the northern sky, if we are lucky. The evening program also includes a safe ride in a snowmobile sleigh deeper into the twilight of the night in the forest.
All programs are run in small groups. Visit Lapland Tours is a family owned business and it cooperates with the family’s restaurants and accommodations. After the safari, would you like a burger at Scanburger?
At Santa’s Salmon Place, located in Santa Claus Village, you can try some of the best traditional salmon cooked on an open fire right in front of you. Fresh salmon steaks combined with some magic of the fire promise you an extremely juicy experience!
At Santa’s Salmon Place you may just have the best salmon ever: read the excellent TripAdvisor reviews of our visitor.
Shell HelmiSimpukka Napapiiri serves the best food on the road and offers a wide range of services for drivers. Our station is open 24/7.
On weekdays and Saturdays our expert forecourt attendants are on hand to tend to your car’s needs. The attendant can fill up your tank with V-Power or any other premium fuel of your choice. Our station also features a well-stocked shop and free Helmi WiFi. At our restaurant you can enjoy both hearty traditional meals as well as light bites and snacks. Welcome!
Our restaurant, centrally located in the SECOND FLOOR of Santa’s Gift House in Santa Claus Village, seats 65 people.
If you’re in the mood for some Asian cuisine —especially some delectable dim sum during your visit to Father Christmas— Golden Bowl Dim Sum is the right place to be.
More than just dim sums, tuck into wok dishes, fried rice and noodle soup that for sure tastes like a big warm hug in the Arctic winter.
GROUPS: Send us an email for group inquiries.
NOTE: We are open also in dinner time. In the evening please use the small entrance door of the north side of the Santa’s Gift House building