Day 10: Rautulampi

When having breakfast yesterday I noticed that there was porridge on the buffet. I'd already committed to eating meatballs by the time I noticed it - and I didn't feel meatballs and porridge was going to be a winning combination - so I didn't try it. When I saw it on the buffet again this morning though, I decided to give it a go. 

Poor decision - it turned out to be the worst porridge I'd ever had in my life! It was really sour  I actually thought there was something wrong with it when I took my first mouthful, but everyone else was eating it quite cheerfully, so I assume sour porridge must be a delicacy in Finland. Luckily, I had a plate full of croissants, meatballs and fried potatoes to take the taste away!

I'm going to miss breakfast tomorrow because it isn't served until 8 and the airport bus I need to catch is leaving around 7. I've decided this probably isn't a bad thing  

Anyway, breakfast survived - I was off on today's hike.

My route started off following the same trail that I've been on for the past few mornings, so climbing uphill towards the reindeer fence.

Once I was through the fence, it didn't take long for me to find my first reindeer of the day.

I think this one was scared of me - it saw me coming down the path and froze. I walked off the path to give it some space.

It seemed happier once it had satisfied itself I'd gone!

A few more reindeer followed...

...and then I was back down at the Luulampi pond again.

From here I was following a different trail to yesterday, marked by poles with blue wooden crosses.

The route crossed a river...

...then led slightly upwards through a valley.

Every so often it crossed dry river beds. I think there must be a lot of water in these when the snow is melting in late spring.

Before long I came to the first of several little pools that I would pass.

The path became a bit narrower at this point...

...passed two more little pools...

...and led down to one which was quite sandy.

While I was admiring the view here, I was passed by a group of Finnish children with very large backpacks who seemed to be on a camping expedition. They didn't look like they were having as much fun as me!

Eventually the trail led to a bigger body of water; Lake Rautulampi.

There are several huts beside the lake, where people can stay overnight when doing longer hikes deeper into the national park.

The buildings are very modern; there was an older hut here originally, but it unfortunately burned down a few years ago.

I'd made quite a lot of progress with my route by this point, so stopped for lunch with a view of the lake.

Then it was time to continue on, back towards Kiilopää.

From this point the path was marked by poles with red wooden crosses, rather than blue.

I think it's because in winter, different parts of the path form parts of different ski runs.

The path climbed uphill...

...and soon I was looking down on the Rautulampi lake from above.

There were some gorgeous views as the path continued to climb.

The way back to Kiilopää led over three different fells, so there was quite a lot of up and down, but it was lovely.

I particularly liked these pointy hills I could see in the distance

And being up high meant that there was actually a bit of a breeze; a welcome relief on what was otherwise quite a hot day.

I continued onwards...

...being passed by various mountain-bikers...

...and at one point even by a group of Finnish soldiers, who looked like they were having about as much fun as the schoolchildren on their expedition. I was enjoying my walk though

Once I crossed the final fell, the path began to descend.

I'd made quite a lot of progress from Rautulampi by this point.

The weather was starting to look a bit cloudy in the distance though, so I wanted to keep going and get down before any potential rain.

Soon I was walking down through the woods...

...and back towards the Kiilopää restaurant, where I had another very nice doughnut. I think doughnuts and pastries are the peak of Finnish cuisine!

I was walking back to my cabin after the doughnut when I surprised a mother and baby reindeer.

The mother gave me a good look...

...and then they both set off down the road.

I just made it back to my cabin before it started raining.

I ventured out again later for dinner; another pizza-with-peaches combination.

Tomorrow will be a long day of travel, with two flights to get back home. The trip has been a real adventure though and so fascinating to see what this part of Finland looks like without snow. I think I definitely succeeded at escaping into the wilderness