Riisitunturi National Park, located just below the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, is a dream destination for winter landscape photographers. Only 34 km from Ruka and 163 km from Rovaniemi, this national park transforms into a magical white world during winter. The famous tykky trees, snow-covered spruces bent under the weight of heavy snow, create surreal, sculptural shapes across the hills. With its soft light and frozen silence, Riisitunturi offers the perfect setting for sunrise photography and snowy forest scenes.
Hiking in Riisitunturi National Park
Hiking in Riisitunturi National Park is a popular activity and remains accessible even during the winter months. Trails are well-maintained, and the snowy landscape adds to the magic of the experience. During my visit, I chose the shortest loop, the Riisin rääpäsy Trail (4.5 km), which I completed in basic snow boots. However, I recommend bringing crampons or snowshoes, especially if it has recently snowed. The park offers several trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels, making it suitable for different fitness levels. The incline on the Riisin rääpäsy trail is gentle, which makes it manageable even in winter conditions.
Riisin rääpäsy Trail Overview
✅ Distance: 4.5 km loop
✅ Difficulty: Moderate (gentle incline, but icy conditions possible)
✅ Recommended Gear: Snowshoes or crampons in case of fresh snow
➜ Riisitunturi National Park information
➜ Riisin rääpäsy trail (4.5 km) info
➜ Riisin rykäsy trail (10.9 km) info
➜ Kirkaslampi trail (15.7 km) info
Best Time to Visit for Photography
For Riisitunturi winter photography, sunrise and sunset are ideal, when the golden or pink tones create stunning contrasts against the snow-covered trees. These moments of soft light bring out the textures of the Tykky trees and add a magical touch to the Arctic scenery.
On cloudy days, the park takes on a minimalist feel, almost like a black-and-white landscape, which works beautifully for moody and atmospheric shots.
While I didn’t capture the northern lights during my visit, this national park is known as a great spot for aurora photography, it’s still high on my bucket list.
☀️ Midday tip: If the sun is out around noon, the light can be quite harsh, flattening the landscape. I recommend avoiding this time for photos unless you’re aiming for high contrast scenes.
My Experience: My Riisitunturi winter photography session started before sunrise
I visited Riisitunturi National Park at sunrise, arriving at the parking lot about 45 minutes before the sun came up. The hike to the top of the hill took me around 25 minutes — this upper section has fewer trees and became my favorite area for shooting. It was easier there to isolate individual Tykky trees, creating stronger compositions in the open landscape.
The first part of the trail winds through a dense snowy forest, which is incredibly beautiful, but more challenging for clean, open shots. Luckily, a half-moon was still visible in the sky, adding a delicate element to some of my frames.
Once I reached the summit, the golden sunrise light appeared, but it didn’t last long. I had just a few minutes to choose my angles and adjust my settings. The pink-orange glow remained for about 5 to 10 minutes, followed by a soft golden light that lingered for another 20 minutes before giving way to the harsher midday sun.
📸 Tip: If you want more time to compose your sunrise shots in this winter wonderland, I strongly recommend starting the hike even earlier than I did. Those few extra minutes can make all the difference.
How to Get to Riisitunturi National Park
The Riisitunturi National Park parking lot is located at the end of a narrow but well-maintained road, just outside Posio, in Finnish Lapland. Even in winter, the road is usually accessible. During my visit, there was little snow, and I reached the parking area without any issues. There are several passing zones, which makes it easy to navigate, even if another car comes from the opposite direction.
Parking Information
✅ Location: Riisitunturi National Park main parking lot
✅ Accessibility: Plowed and maintained road, suitable for most vehicles
✅ Distances: 163 km from Rovaniemi, 34 km from Ruka ski resort
What Gear Should You Bring for Winter Photography?
Although the hike to Riisitunturi’s summit is not too difficult, winter conditions and cold temperatures require good preparation. Especially if you’re aiming to capture the magical light at sunrise. Since we started hiking before dawn, I brought all my photo gear with me to make the most of the short golden hour.
Here’s what I packed:
✅ Camera + 20mm lens : great for capturing wide-angle views and the towering “Tykky” trees
✅ Camera + 24 – 70mm lens : ideal for isolating smaller “Tykky” trees and zooming in on unique details.
✅ Tripod : essential for stability, especially for sharp long exposures, focus stacking, or exposure bracketing
✅ Water and snack : Riisitunturi is quite remote, so pack enough to stay warm and energised throughout your session
What to Wear for a Winter Hike and Photography Session in Riisitunturi
When we arrived at Riisitunturi National Park, the temperature was around -15°C with some wind. By late morning, the sun helped warm things up, but dressing properly was essential to stay comfortable during the hike and the photo session. Layering is key. You can always remove a layer if you get too warm, but it’s hard to warm up if you’re underdressed.
Here’s what I wore during the hike:
✅ Thermal underwear : a warm base layer (top and bottom) to keep your body heat
✅ Ski trousers : insulated, windproof, and flexible enough to move and kneel in the snow
✅ Merino wool socks : breathable and warm, perfect to keep feet dry
✅ Snow boots : winter boots made for subzero temperatures, ideal when standing still for photos
✅ Parka : a long, insulated parka that blocks wind and retains warmth
✅ Two pairs of gloves : I used two pairs of thin gloves so I could alternate if one pair got too cold or wet
✅ Hat : a warm beanie that covers the ears and keeps you protected from icy winds
These are my personal recommendations based on a sunrise hike. Your own gear may vary depending on how sensitive you are to cold, but it’s always safer to bring extra layers and adjust on the spot.
Explore another trail in Lapland
Looking for another peaceful snow-covered forest to photograph? Discover the Valtavaara Winter Trail near Ruka, a scenic route with Arctic views and magical winter light.
Final thoughts
Riisitunturi National Park is one of the most enchanting places for landscape photography in Finland, especially during the winter months. The snow-covered trees and the peaceful Arctic scenery offer a truly magical backdrop for sunrise sessions or golden hour exploration. With the right preparation, gear, and timing, you’ll be able to capture some of the most atmospheric images Lapland has to offer.
And most of all, enjoy the moment. Happy shooting!
Published on March 23, 2025 by Jennifer Esseiva
