The Finnish Nature League of the Häme region organises trips and hikes during all the seasons of the year. Trips head off to the local forests or National Parks nearby. Our trips are mainly meant for young people but sometimes we also organise trips for families with small children.

The longest hikes last five days and shorter trips from five hours to one day. Very often our trips are quite international since exchange students seem to be very interested in Finnish nature.

The aim of our trips is generally to see and enjoy nature. Our forests, thousands of lakes, marshlands and hills are always worth seeing and feeling. Different seasons, changing temperatures ranging from -30°C to +30°C, changing light from the darkness of winter to the midnight light of summer and various colours from white snow to red autumn leaves give their own special flavour to the nature.

We don't necessary have any detailed programme during our trips. The most important thing is to go to the forest and in this way deepen our relation to nature. During the longer hikes we can also learn important skills and gain knowledge, for example about navigation, building campfires and first-aid. But still our main goal is to encourage people to see the beauty of nature and how important it is to go and see it for yourself.

I'm sitting on the edge of the swamp. I take off my shoes like everyone else does. At the beginning mossy ground tickles my toes. I can see that the others are feeling the same. As we walk further our legs are going a little bit deeper and I can feel the healing touch of the swamp. There is no danger since we are together but still this is little bit exciting.

We get closer to the pond in the middle. Very carefully I step on the edge of it. I can feel the swaying ground below my feet. My friend clasps my hand while I stretch towards the water with my drinking bottle. It is amazing how clear the water in the middle of swamp is. I smile with my whole body when I taste it. This is really something.

For more information, please check : http://www.luontoliitto.fi/

Vuokko Kurki - The Finnish Nature League of Häme Region - Finland

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