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Chances are you’ll not imagine it, however Levi, Finland is not only a ski resort within the winter. Summer season in Lapland is simply as lovely!
The Levitunturi mountain affords breathtaking 360° views of Lapland and slopes in all instructions even in summer season and fall. Better of all, Levi is a real paradise for energetic folks and households within the hotter months as nicely!
Sadly, this isn’t so well-known exterior Finland. However now , and you may look ahead to an incredible summer season trip in Levi.
Expertise summer season in Levi with mountain biking and mountaineering! Uncover one of the best routes for newbies and superior bikers, expertise the journey of the bike park or hike via breathtaking surroundings. There may be additionally lots to find for households with young children.
In our article you’ll be taught all concerning the providers within the village, the place to remain and find out how to get to Levi.
So seize your mountaineering boots or mountain bike and let’s go!
After studying this text, you should have all the knowledge you should make your summer season trip in Lapland unforgettable. And who is aware of, you would possibly even meet a reindeer in your method via the Finnish wilderness.
Our Finland skilled, Hendrik, visited Levi together with his household in the summertime.
Right here is an summary:
Levitunturi – “Fjell of Levi” in Finnish – is an imposing mountain in Southern Lapland, standing alone and proud.
When you climb a number of hundred meters, you’re rewarded with a wide ranging view of the encompassing 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 possibly can both race down the summer season 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 discuss later, however there’s additionally loads to find for individuals who aren’t essentially in search of the adrenaline rush of downhill driving.
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 even discover their cash’s price.
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 wonderful 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 because of the excessive variety of guests.
From my expertise I can say that nicely maintained trails are significantly better for the setting in these conditions.
Particularly for younger mountain biking newbies, these trails provide a secure method to enhance their off-road expertise.
Skilled riders may even have enjoyable doing the loop round Levitunturi Path in competitors model and testing their velocity. However there are various different trails within the space, akin to a trip to Ylläs and again, or exploring the lesser-known locations round Levi.
You don’t want a automobile in Levi, because the village is sort of small. Nevertheless, if you wish to get round quicker, you possibly can swap to a bicycle and get round city. We used 4 rental bikes to get to the Levi Bike and Exercise Park, which is barely 3 km from our lodging and was simply managed even by our 5 yr previous.
Levi with small youngsters
Levi Journey Park
Talking of our 5 yr previous, Levi is just not solely a professional at steep descents, but additionally has lots to supply the youthful youngsters!
Have you ever heard concerning the Journey Park at Gondolintie? There are many free issues for toddlers and young children, akin to an superior playground, a small zip line parkour close to the bottom, and pedal vehicles, which our daughter simply beloved.
When the climate is heat and sunny, this can be a great spot to go – however don’t neglect to pack loads of sunscreen, as there’s little or no shade!
For teenagers over 115 cm tall, the massive zipline parkour is a fully sensible exercise – my son and spouse beloved it.
Earlier than you get began, there’s an introductory course the place you be taught all about climbing and the completely different options. After that, you get to decide on certainly one of a number of routes – all the things from ziplining for nearly 1,000m to climbing over enjoyable obstacles.
I’m telling you, this seems to be a lot enjoyable! I’m already excited and might’t watch for our daughter to be sufficiently big on her subsequent go to to Levi so we are able to 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 trip took us there.
Right here we had been in a position to take a guided tour, make Christmas decorations and bake gingerbread cookies – our youngsters particularly loved this.
We additionally visited the massive cave and acquired to pet some cattle. We ate lunch right here and took a brief hike on the forest path.
Even supposing it was July and a little bit out of season for us dad and mom, the go to was total very good and enjoyable for all of us, particularly our youngsters.
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 acquired to expertise what it was wish to trip down steep hills. It was actually thrilling and I had numerous enjoyable.
Actually, 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 trip 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 is just not solely a path builder in Levi. Our group consisted of six folks with completely 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 newbies and likewise affords nice views and thrilling options. We’re certain this path might be highly regarded sooner or later!
We did the path in phases, taking breaks to observe completely different expertise. For instance, we realized find out how to make turns and trip 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 likely one of the hottest trails in Levi and has numerous thrilling berms and options – all at an straightforward Blue Path degree.
We had numerous 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 numerous riders and bikers developing the mountain, the paths had been quiet. Even on the favored Blue Groove we may simply cease and take footage with out anybody getting in our method.
What a sense!
With greater than ten trails of various levels of issue, the riders had 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 numerous trails and he did all of it with out worry and with nice approach – and that’s after just one lesson! He instructed me that he actually loved the expertise and since we’re again dwelling he has been driving his Woom OFF Air on the paths close to us and he’s having a blast.
So cool!
As a aspect observe, many ski resorts around the globe are abandoned through the summer season months. That is in fact not superb for the native communities. That’s why I totally assist the concept of villages the place you possibly can stay all yr spherical.
Luckily, there are providers just like the Levi Bike Park that make sure that motels, eating places, and even the costly gondola and carry infrastructure don’t must shut down when the ski season is over.
Companies like these and others hold the small village of Sirkka bustling year-round and permit its residents to make a residing from January to December. How cool is that?
Mountaineering in Levi
Virtually each night I made a brief or longer hike up Levitunturi.
In summer season in Lapland there’s 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 largely simply walked round and explored the environment. I particularly loved visiting Santa’s Cabin, climbing to the highest, and simply following little trails that seemed promising.
If you wish to be taught extra about how these mountains had been shaped, you need to positively go to the Ice Age Path. There are additionally many different trails to discover round Levi – a fast search on Retkikartta will provide help to discover and discover all of them!
Companies within the village
In Sirkka, with its nicely laid out heart, you’ll uncover a wide range of outlets and providers.
A incredible expertise for the youngsters and me was the summer season toboggan run, the place you possibly can trip alone or with a companion on a 2-person sled.
The attraction may be very standard and it is strongly recommended to return within the early morning or early afternoon to keep away from lengthy waits. After 4pm it might probably get very crowded and you may count on to attend as much as an hour to rise 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 instructed them our measurement and desires on-line beforehand and after we arrived all we needed to do was strive the bikes on. What can I say? They match like a glove and we may begin driving straight away. We additionally acquired 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 Info Middle makes it straightforward to e book actions, get carry tickets, and even discover a cozy place to remain. Should 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 a number of cafes and a espresso store, however in case you are actually hungry there are a number of eating places to select from. We selected an condominium with a kitchen and went procuring on the S-Market grocery store within the heart to organize our personal meals.
I don’t drink alcohol anymore, so I didn’t go to the bars and nightclubs in Levi, however in the event you really feel like a chilly beer after an action-packed day on the downhill trails, you possibly can!
The place to remain
Our spacious condominium on the Hullu Poro Lodge was our dwelling away from dwelling throughout our keep.
It’s a brief stroll to the town heart and the bus stops proper exterior the door, which may be very handy. The small spa with sauna and scorching tub was the right place for the youngsters to chill out after a protracted day.
Our condominium accommodated as much as six folks and had three bedrooms, two bogs, 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 snug keep and the included breakfast was scrumptious.
The best way to get to Levi
We began our journey to Levi by prepare and bus and spent one evening on the hostel Café Koti. This resolution allowed us to shorten our journey days and discover Rovaniemi a bit.
We particularly favored the Indignant Birds playground, which can be free! With our youngsters, we spent a number of hours enjoying on the varied installations lovingly designed by Lapses.
There was additionally a soccer subject and we borrowed balls to play a number of 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 in the event you e book early. Our prepare tickets price us a complete of solely €75.00.
Granted, the journey takes between 6 and eight hours and it’s important to 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 could be tremendous gratifying for everybody.
Flying to Kittilä
Alternatively, you possibly can fly to Kittilä with Finnair, which is the quickest method.
Nevertheless, the flights are a bit dearer and there are restricted connections. Should you determine to fly to Levi, you’ll want to e book nicely upfront.
There are native buses that take you from the airport in Kittilä to Levi and again – they run similtaneously the flights, so it’s tremendous straightforward!
The Gear
As standard, 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 had 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 favored my Luna Sandals OSO Flaco and my Houdini Dawn Shorts, which I all the time wish to put on in the summertime. We acquired 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 are able to journey relaxed with out bikes by public transport. 🙂
Must you 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 may discover the realm on bikes – our youngsters particularly beloved that. So in the event you’re in search of an energetic trip vacation spot with loads of room to chill out, you need to positively take a look at Levi.
With an abundance of various actions, lodging for each price range, and beautiful views from Levitunturi, it’s positively a vacation spot to place in your checklist in your subsequent summer season or fall trip!
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