Lapland: home of the midnight sun

Visitors to the Saariselkä wilderness in Finland's north can pan for gold in the rivers
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A young native Laplander in colourful traditional dress

During the summer months the sun never sets, continuing to shine throughout the night and having an interesting effect on the locals' social patterns

Lapland: home of the midnight sun

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18 SEPTEMBER 2003
THE MYSTIQUE
According to the legend of the Sami, the local indigenous people, when June arrives and the midnight sun, Santa Claus goes into hibernation to preserve his energy for handing out toys to the world's children in December.

Lapland extends from the Kola Peninsula in the extreme northwest of Russia across the northern tips of Sweden, Norway and Finland. Its southern borders stretch out over the Arctic Circle – the imaginary line that many dream of crossing.

The province of Lapland covers nearly half of Finland, and its capital - Rovaniemi - which is located close to the Arctic Circle, is the best place to begin a tour of the region. Known as "the gateway to the Arctic", the town offers no end of activities to enjoy. No visit is complete without dog or reindeer sledding. And, as the nearby rivers begin to melt, the currents become ideal for some adrenalin-pumping whitewater rafting.

NATURE'S MAGIC
But if what you really crave is a dose of rejuvenation, nothing tops the tradition of an outdoor sauna. You can't help but relax as you take in the magnificent scenery, from towering mountains to lush forested valleys and endless rivers and lakes – the perfect backdrop for the marvels of the midnight sun.

At the entrance to the northern wilderness are the picturesque fells of Saariselkä and Urho Kekkonen National Park. It was at the feet of these magnificent ancient mountains that the first traces of gold were found in 1865. Today you can still sift the rivers for your own gold nuggets. If you're feeling active, it's also one of the most popular areas for trekking.

For many, Lapland will always be the magical place they take their children at Christmas to visit Santa's birthplace and snuggle up in cosy log cabins. But this exotic region offers far more in the warmer months. The Arctic flora and fauna, the landscape of mountains and lakes in its full and untarnished beauty... all lit up by the glorious summer sun every hour of every day.

REPORT: JILL CRAWSHAW