It’s possible you’ll not imagine it, however Levi, Finland isn’t just a ski resort within the winter. Summer time in Lapland is simply as stunning!
The Levitunturi mountain presents breathtaking 360° views of Lapland and slopes in all instructions even in summer time and fall. Better of all, Levi is a real paradise for lively folks and households within the hotter months as nicely!
Sadly, this isn’t so well-known exterior Finland. However now you already know, and you’ll sit up for an ideal summer time trip in Levi.
Expertise summer time in Levi with mountain biking and mountaineering! Uncover the perfect routes for novices and superior bikers, expertise the journey of the bike park or hike by breathtaking surroundings. There may be additionally loads to find for households with babies.
In our article you’ll be taught all concerning the providers within the village, the place to remain and tips on how to get to Levi.
So seize your mountaineering boots or mountain bike and let’s go!
After studying this text, you’ll have all the data that you must make your summer time trip in Lapland unforgettable. And who is aware of, you would possibly even meet a reindeer in your means by the Finnish wilderness.
Our Finland knowledgeable, Hendrik, visited Levi together with his household in the summertime.
Right here is an outline:
Levitunturi – “Fjell of Levi” in Finnish – is an impressive mountain in Southern Lapland, standing alone and proud.
When you climb just a few hundred meters, you might be rewarded with a wide ranging view of the encircling panorama: the spectacular Pallas Mountains to the northwest, the Ylläs Mountains some 35 kilometers to the west, in addition to lakes, small fjells and numerous forests. On the foot of the mountains lies the charming village of Sirkka, which serves as a base for journey and exploration.
Take the gondola up the mountain, the place you’ll be able to both race down the summer time toboggan run or discover the realm on one of many many mountaineering trails.
A real paradise for nature lovers and explorers!
Mountainbiking in and round Levi
Not solely does Levi have a well-known bike park, which I’ll speak about later, however there’s additionally loads to find for individuals who aren’t essentially searching for the adrenaline rush of downhill using.
With a big community of mountain bike trails that permit for adventurous day rides on single trails and thru picturesque forests, much less risk-averse bikers may also discover their cash’s value.
For my check, I attempted the Levi Tunturi Path, a roughly 18km route that circles Mount Levitunturi, and I used to be actually impressed with the superb upkeep of the path. Some could really feel it’s extra like a freeway than a path, however I’ve seen many trails which have destroyed the character round them as a result of excessive variety of guests.
From my expertise I can say that nicely maintained trails are a lot better for the atmosphere in these conditions.
Particularly for younger mountain biking novices, these trails supply a protected means to enhance their off-road abilities.
Skilled riders may also have enjoyable doing the loop round Levitunturi Path in competitors fashion and testing their velocity. However there are numerous different trails within the space, corresponding to a experience to Ylläs and again, or exploring the lesser-known locations round Levi.
You don’t want a automotive in Levi, because the village is sort of small. Nonetheless, if you wish to get round quicker, you’ll be able to swap to a bicycle and get round city. We used 4 rental bikes to get to the Levi Bike and Exercise Park, which is simply 3 km from our lodging and was simply managed even by our 5 12 months outdated.
Levi with small children
Levi Journey Park
Talking of our 5 12 months outdated, Levi will not be solely a professional at steep descents, but additionally has loads to supply the youthful children!
Have you ever heard concerning the Journey Park at Gondolintie? There are many free issues for toddlers and babies, corresponding to an superior playground, a small zip line parkour close to the bottom, and pedal vehicles, which our daughter simply liked.
When the climate is heat and sunny, it is a excellent spot to go – however don’t neglect to pack loads of sunscreen, as there may be little or no shade!
For teenagers over 115 cm tall, the massive zipline parkour is a fully sensible exercise – my son and spouse liked it.
Earlier than you get began, there’s an introductory course the place you be taught all about climbing and the totally different options. After that, you get to decide on one among a number of routes – every little thing from ziplining for nearly 1,000m to climbing over enjoyable obstacles.
I’m telling you, this appears a lot enjoyable! I’m already excited and may’t look forward to our daughter to be sufficiently big on her subsequent go to to Levi so we will all expertise this adrenaline rush collectively.
Tonttula Elves Village
On the final day of our trip, we visited the elven village of Tonttula, which is situated a bit away from Sirkka. A brief taxi experience took us there.
Right here we have been in a position to take a guided tour, make Christmas decorations and bake gingerbread cookies – our kids particularly loved this.
We additionally visited the massive cave and obtained to pet some cattle. We ate lunch right here and took a brief hike on the forest path.
Even supposing it was July and slightly out of season for us dad and mom, the go to was general very good and enjoyable for all of us, particularly our kids.
Levi Bike Park
A few years in the past I watched my pal Kaddi go downhill mountain biking and thought, “Wow, that appears fairly cool!”
Due to Jesper, who I met on my trip in Åre, I obtained to expertise what it was prefer to experience down steep hills. It was actually thrilling and I had a number of enjoyable.
In reality, it’s a lot simpler and safer than you would possibly assume. That’s why I used to be much more excited once I had the prospect to experience downhill with my son at Levi Bike Park, one of many oldest bike parks in Finland.
It was an unforgettable expertise and we each had a good time!
First, we picked up our downhill bikes on the Levi Bike Park retailer and outfitted ourselves with our protecting gear. From POC knee pads to physique harnesses and helmets to gloves and shirts, it was all there.
Then we met our teacher Pieto, who will not be solely a path builder in Levi. Our group consisted of six folks with totally different ability ranges, however Pieto was in a position to cater to every of us. Even I, as an skilled rider, was in a position to be taught one thing.
After an introduction to our bikes, we took the gondola up the mountain and began our tour on the Village Path.
The inexperienced path is ideal for novices and likewise presents nice views and thrilling options. We’re certain this path can be highly regarded sooner or later!
We did the path in phases, taking breaks to follow totally different abilities. For instance, we discovered tips on how to make turns and experience waves.
After mastering the Village Path on the Levi Exercise Middle, we took the gondola again as much as the Blue Groove Path. This is without doubt one of the hottest trails in Levi and has numerous thrilling berms and options – all at an straightforward Blue Path degree.
We had a number of enjoyable!
Within the afternoon, my son and I rode the Village Path and the South Route with Pieto. We had the paths to ourselves and will actually put the pedal to the steel.
Though there have been a number of riders and bikers developing the mountain, the paths have been quiet. Even on the favored Blue Groove we might simply cease and take footage with out anybody getting in our means.
What a sense!
With greater than ten trails of various levels of problem, the riders have been unfold out very evenly. This additionally implies that slower riders don’t really feel like they’re holding others again. Prime!
We had some actually cool days on the Levi Bike Park!
My son and I rode a number of trails and he did all of it with out worry and with nice method – and that’s after just one lesson! He advised me that he actually loved the expertise and since we’re again dwelling he has been using his Woom OFF Air on the paths close to us and he’s having a blast.
So cool!
As a facet observe, many ski resorts all over the world are abandoned through the summer time months. That is after all not excellent for the native communities. That’s why I totally help the concept of villages the place you’ll be able to dwell all 12 months spherical.
Happily, there are providers just like the Levi Bike Park that make sure that accommodations, eating places, and even the costly gondola and elevate infrastructure don’t should shut down when the ski season is over.
Companies like these and others preserve the small village of Sirkka bustling year-round and permit its residents to make a residing from January to December. How cool is that?
Climbing in Levi
Nearly each night I made a brief or longer hike up Levitunturi.
In summer time in Lapland there may be an incomparable golden hour that makes my photographer’s coronary heart beat quicker each time. The good climate and luxurious views make each hike an unforgettable expertise.
Though there are some marked trails main up and across the mountain, I principally simply walked round and explored the environment. I particularly loved visiting Santa’s Cabin, climbing to the highest, and simply following little trails that appeared promising.
If you wish to be taught extra about how these mountains have been fashioned, you need to undoubtedly go to the Ice Age Path. There are additionally many different trails to discover round Levi – a fast search on Retkikartta will assist you to discover and discover all of them!
Companies within the village
In Sirkka, with its nicely laid out middle, you’ll uncover quite a lot of outlets and providers.
A unbelievable expertise for the children and me was the summer time toboggan run, the place you’ll be able to experience alone or with a companion on a 2-person sled.
The attraction may be very widespread and it is strongly recommended to return within the early morning or early afternoon to keep away from lengthy waits. After 4pm it will possibly get very crowded and you’ll count on to attend as much as an hour to stand up and down.
We rented 4 bikes from the Zero Level store down by the slopes in Sirkka and it was an absolute blast!
We advised them our measurement and desires on-line beforehand and once we arrived all we needed to do was attempt the bikes on. What can I say? They match like a glove and we might begin using instantly. We additionally obtained our rental helmets. It couldn’t have been simpler!
Better of all, the shop has bikes for youths of all ages. Our daughter was thrilled to get her pink Trek bike!
The Vacationer Data Middle makes it straightforward to e book actions, get elevate tickets, and even discover a cozy place to remain. In case you lose one thing alongside the way in which, no worries – there are a number of sporting items shops close by.
For the small starvation in between there are just a few cafes and a espresso store, however if you’re actually hungry there are a number of eating places to select from. We selected an house with a kitchen and went procuring on the S-Market grocery store within the middle to organize our personal meals.
I don’t drink alcohol anymore, so I didn’t go to the bars and nightclubs in Levi, however when you really feel like a chilly beer after an action-packed day on the downhill trails, you’ll be able to!
The place to remain
Our spacious house on the Hullu Poro Lodge was our dwelling away from dwelling throughout our keep.
It’s a quick stroll to the town middle and the bus stops proper exterior the door, which may be very handy. The small spa with sauna and sizzling tub was the right place for the children to calm down after an extended day.
Our house accommodated as much as six folks and had three bedrooms, two loos, a small kitchen, and a pleasant eating and residing space. We even had our personal sauna, however the climate was so heat that we didn’t use it.
All in all, it was a really comfy keep and the included breakfast was scrumptious.
Tips on how to get to Levi
We began our journey to Levi by prepare and bus and spent one evening on the hostel Café Koti. This choice allowed us to shorten our journey days and discover Rovaniemi a bit.
We particularly appreciated the Offended Birds playground, which can be free! With our children, we spent a number of hours enjoying on the assorted installations lovingly designed by Lapses.
There was additionally a soccer area and we borrowed balls to play just a few rounds.
Bus and prepare
Bus and prepare are nice!
We determined to take the prepare from Vaasa to Rovaniemi and again and it was actually low cost – particularly when you e book early. Our prepare tickets value us a complete of solely €75.00.
Granted, the journey takes between 6 and eight hours and you must change trains twice alongside the way in which, however with some cool card video games, audio books or a film in your pill, the journey might be tremendous pleasing for everybody.
Flying to Kittilä
Alternatively, you’ll be able to fly to Kittilä with Finnair, which is the quickest means.
Nonetheless, the flights are a bit costlier and there are restricted connections. In case you resolve to fly to Levi, be sure you e book nicely upfront.
There are native buses that take you from the airport in Kittilä to Levi and again – they run concurrently the flights, so it’s tremendous straightforward!
The Gear
As common, we traveled mild, utilizing solely the Arc’teryx V110 Duffel and our Eagle Creek Cubes to retailer our 4 outfits and belongings. My digicam gear and MacBook have been safely tucked away in my trusty Peak Design Journey Backpack, whereas I used my HUCKEPACKS Phoenix Lite for mountaineering and the Vaude TrailSpacer 18 for biking.
However I particularly appreciated my Luna Sandals OSO Flaco and my Houdini Dawn Shorts, which I all the time prefer to put on in the summertime. We obtained our mountain bikes and downhill bikes together with safety gear on the Levi Bike Park Store (for the downhill) and at Zero Level in Sirkka (for the MTBs), so we will journey relaxed with out bikes by public transport. 🙂
Do you have to go and go to Levi?
Levi actually wowed us!
There are thrilling and enjoyable actions for youths and adults alike, which we actually loved.
It was particularly nice that there have been numerous free issues to do across the Journey Park and that we might discover the realm on bikes – our children particularly liked that. So when you’re searching for an lively trip vacation spot with loads of room to calm down, you need to undoubtedly try Levi.
With an abundance of various actions, lodging for each price range, and gorgeous views from Levitunturi, it’s undoubtedly a vacation spot to place in your listing on your subsequent summer time or fall trip!
