Hiking and trekking
You have a legal right to walk, cycle, paddle a canoe and camp almost anywhere in Finland. Hiking is best from June to September. In wilderness areas there are networks of free huts with bunks, basic cooking facilities and firewood that you replace as you use. Most of the country is forested. It's worth brushing up on edible berries and mushrooms as picking them is a favourite pastime here. Pony trekking is available in many areas and Finland hosts several international orienteering competitions that are open to all.

Water sports
Finland has around 180,000 lakes, most of them in the south of the country where they form a maze of waterways that can be explored by canoe. Many are warm enough to swim in during the summer. For rapids, head for Lapland or North Karelia. Every major town near water offers canoe rental. The best coastal areas are the archipelago along the southwest coast, the coast of Uusimaa province, and the Äland Islands.

Skiing and snow sports
Both downhill and cross country skiing are popular Lapland has most of the downhill resorts with some in North Karelia and around Kuusamo. This far north the days are short or non existent, so many of the ski trails are lit. The peak of the ski season is just before spring, when there's daylight and sunshine. Use your international cellular phone rentals to find a ski hill near you.

Dog sledding trips and snowmobile safaris are widely available and the northern lights can be seen in many places. Other winter activities to try out include ice fishing, snow shoeing and visiting Santa.

Sauna
Finland is sauna country, it's seen as a refuge where body and soul can be restored. Ideally you should experience this in a log cabin in the woods with a view of the lake drinking cold beer and eating grilled sausages, then cooling off with a quick dip in the freezing water.

Avantouinti
One of the more bracing pastimes Finns indulge in is avantouinti or ice swimming. Basically making a hole in a frozen lake and swimming in it. It can be a heart stopping experience so check you're up to it before you try and go with someone who knows what they're doing. Bring your Finland cell phone rental with you to be safe.

Sami culture
For an insight into the culture of the northern nomads, visit Inari, one of the most interesting towns in northern Lapland. The Siida Centre shows how these semi-nomadic reindeer herders live. Lake Inari, the third largest in Finland, has around 3000 islands and the region is a gold panning area. The nearby Lemmenjoki National Park is an arctic wilderness with some excellent hiking.

Cycling
Lots of flat terrain and not much traffic makes for good cycling country. Bikes can be carried on public transport and are available for hire in most towns. There's a special cyclists map available from tourist offices which includes details of bike routes and connections to ferries.