Rovaniemi: Auttiköngäs Northern Lights & Scenic Night Hike

Scenic Night Hike to a 360° Viewpoint

This is more than a Northern Lights tour. Follow your guide through the peaceful Arctic forest on a moderately demanding night hike to a spectacular observation tower. Far from city lights, you'll experience Lapland's silence while enjoying one of the region's finest panoramic viewpoints.

Discover Finland's Historic Wooden Waterfall

Visit the famous Auttiköngäs log flume, often described as one of Finland's most impressive wooden waterfalls. Learn how floating timber shaped Lapland's history and transformed Rovaniemi into Finland's legendary lumberjack capital.

Traditional BBQ & Northern Lights

Enjoy a traditional Finnish BBQ beside an open fire at one of two authentic lean-to shelters. Throughout the evening, your guide follows weather and aurora forecasts to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights while keeping Auttiköngäs at the heart of the adventure.

WHY TRAVELLERS CHOOSE US

⭐ 4.9/5 based on 15 reviews

*****
"It was amazing!! Timo was such a good guide, really informative, personable and really helped us to take amazing pictures. He kindly shared the photographs he took of my friend and I after the trip. I'd really recommend Timo to anyone booking a Northern Lights trip!- 

Kellie - United Kingdom

*****
”It's been amazing, the man is a really good person, friendly and a great conversationalist. We were very comfortable in the car. The photos are beautiful, and they send them quickly.”

- GYG traveler - Spain

*****
”An excellent experience. Timo drove for hours until we found a spot with no clouds or fog, where we were able to enjoy a spectacular aurora borealis. His tenacity, experience, and kindness were essential for witnessing such a magnificent sight. Furthermore, during our travels, we had very interesting conversations about the aurora borealis, the wildlife, and daily life in Finland. I highly recommend this experience with Timo.”

César – Spain

*****
”The hunt was amazing! Timo is a very expert guide, drives extremly well and it is really nice to chat with him :) He took some photo of us with his professional camera. He would have gone till "the end of the world" to make us see the northern light. If you choose him, northern lights are 100% guaranteed! Thank you Timo!”

Eylül– Germany

READY FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE ARCTIC EVENING?

The Journey to Auttiköngäs Is Part of the Adventure

Leave the city behind and follow Finland's longest river into the Arctic wilderness. Along the Kemijoki, we'll pause at carefully chosen locations where calm reflections, rushing water, surrounding fells and impressive hydroelectric dams create unforgettable scenery. These are places that many travellers simply drive past—but we'll take the time to experience them.

Every stop has been selected because it offers something unique, whether it's a perfect photo opportunity, a beautiful riverside view or, if conditions allow, an early chance to witness the Northern Lights. The journey itself becomes part of the adventure, long before you reach Auttiköngäs.

Where the Northern Lights Meet One of Lapland's Most Spectacular Landscapes

As darkness falls, we'll follow the lantern-lit nature trail through Auttiköngäs Nature Reserve toward the scenic observation tower on top of the fell. The walk itself is part of the adventure, leading through peaceful Arctic forest to one of the most breathtaking viewpoints near Rovaniemi.

From the tower, you'll enjoy spectacular 360-degree views across forests, rivers and surrounding fells. When the sky is clear and aurora activity is strong, this elevated location becomes one of the most remarkable places to experience the Northern Lights in the Rovaniemi region.

Unlike most Northern Lights tours that stop beside a road or parking area, this experience rewards you with a destination that only a handful of visitors ever reach after dark. Standing above the Arctic wilderness beneath dancing auroras is a moment you'll remember long after your journey to Lapland.

Every Great Evening Ends Around the Fire

No Arctic evening is complete without gathering around an open fire.

If weather conditions suggest that another location offers a better experience than Auttiköngäs, we'll make that decision together as a group. The destination may change, but one thing never does—your evening will always include a relaxing campfire in one of the beautiful wilderness shelters our local guides know by heart.

Enjoy a freshly prepared Finnish BBQ dinner with both meat and vegetarian options while surrounded by the peaceful Arctic forest. To finish the meal, we'll serve one of Lapland's most beloved traditional desserts: warm Finnish squeaky cheese (Leipäjuusto) topped with homemade cloudberry jam, made from wild berries personally picked by our guides during the Arctic summer.

Whether we're sitting beside a roaring fire near Auttiköngäs or sharing stories at another hidden wilderness shelter, these moments often become the part of the evening our guests remember most.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a traditional Northern Lights hunt?

No. This experience is built around a guided evening journey to Auttiköngäs Watchtower. While seeing the Northern Lights is one of the highlights, the destination itself is an unforgettable experience, even on nights when the auroras remain hidden behind clouds.

What if the weather is cloudy at Auttiköngäs?

We'll discuss the weather conditions together as we start the journey. If another location around Rovaniemi offers significantly better chances of seeing the Northern Lights, the group may choose to adjust the route. However, if even one guest prefers to continue to Auttiköngäs, we'll keep the original itinerary. This experience is designed around Auttiköngäs, and we want every guest to enjoy the adventure they booked.

How difficult is the hike?

The hike is considered moderately challenging. We'll walk along well-maintained nature trails and wooden stairs to the observation tower. During winter, the paths can be icy, but we provide high-quality ice cleats to make walking much safer.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. The tour is suitable for children who enjoy walking outdoors in winter and are comfortable with an evening hike. Parents should consider the walking distance and winter conditions before booking.

Do you work together with Metsähallitus (State Forest Enterprise)?

Yes. We have an official tourism cooperation agreement with Metsähallitus, the Finnish state organization responsible for managing Auttiköngäs Nature Reserve and many of Finland's national parks and protected areas.

As part of this agreement, we pay an annual tourism fee that helps support the maintenance of trails, stairs, lean-to shelters, campfire sites and other visitor facilities. We greatly appreciate the work Metsähallitus does to protect these unique natural areas while making them accessible for visitors.

By joining this experience, you're also supporting the responsible use and long-term preservation of one of Lapland's most beautiful nature destinations.

What food is served?

Your guide prepares a local BBQ dinner with meat and vegetarian options. Dessert includes traditional Finnish squeaky cheese (Leipäjuusto) served with homemade cloudberry jam made from wild berries picked during the Arctic summer.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No one can guarantee the Northern Lights, as they are a natural phenomenon. This tour does not include our Aurora Guarantee because the evening is centered around the unique aurora-journey to Auttiköngäs Nature Reserve rather than a flexible aurora hunt.

If you're looking for a Northern Lights experience with our Photo Guarantee, we recommend our dedicated Northern Lights Hunt with 100% Photo Guarantee -tour.

Where does the tour start?

The experience includes convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation in Rovaniemi.

One of our experienced Arctic guides will pick you up before the journey begins and return you safely to your accommodation after the experience. Your exact pick-up time and meeting details will be sent to you before the tour.

Where do we have the BBQ dinner?

Depending on weather conditions and the evening's route, dinner is served at Auttiköngäs lean-to shelter or at another beautiful wilderness shelter known by our Arctic guides. Either way, you'll enjoy a traditional Finnish BBQ in authentic Arctic surroundings.

Why choose this experience instead of a standard Northern Lights tour?

Most Northern Lights tours stop beside roads or lakes. This experience takes you into the Arctic wilderness, where you'll hike by lantern light to an observation tower with spectacular 360-degree views. Combined with a local BBQ dinner and carefully selected photo stops along the Kemijoki River, it's a complete evening adventure rather than simply an aurora chase.

🌌 Book Auttiköngäs Northern Lights & Scenic Night Hike

📍 Rovaniemi – Auttiköngäs Nature Reserve
⏱️ Approximately 6 hours
🥾 Moderate night hike to a 360° viewpoint
👥 Maximum 8 guests
💶 Adult €179 • Child €159
🔥 Traditional BBQ dinner & hot drinks
🧊 Ice cleats included
🌌 Multiple Northern Lights viewing locations

Need more information before booking?
View the full experience description.

Privacy Policy