Ten reasons why the forest makes Finns happy

So, you get the point – that’s a lot of trees! This means Finns for centuries have, from a very early age, grown up next to those trees, developing a lifelong attachment to forests and the joy that nature brings.

As we’re approaching the summer season and those trees are getting greener by the day, let’s take a look at 10 reasons why forests make Finns happy. To make for easier reading, we have split this up into “practical” and “spiritual” reasons. And one final disclaimer: we’re not saying that this list is exhaustive by any means, as every Finn has their own relationship with the forest!

Practical reasons:

1. Forests have played an important part in the country’s economic growth

While the focus these days has shifted to finding better ways to preserve the forests we have, and Finland has a number of leading green transition companies, for hundreds of years Finland’s economy has relied on the country’s forests. This is both directly via wood products, and indirectly via, for example, companies making forest machinery.

Statistics show that around 16% of all Finnish exports in 2023 were forest industry products, and there were over 60,000 people employed in the forestry sector. And of course, the forests also support the economy via tourism – Finland has an amazing 41 national parks that ensure biodiversity can be both appreciated and preserved.

2. Forests are the place to pick berries and mushrooms, and also marvel at the wildlife

Finland has something called “everyone’s right”, which means everyone – locals or tourists – is entitled to enjoy the outdoors provided you respect nature, people and property. This means in most cases you can walk to your nearby forest to collect berries, mushrooms and flowers (if they are not protected, of course) whenever you want. But be sure to check the local restrictions just to be sure!

Then there’s the wildlife – from massive brown bears to tiny flying squirrels, and everything in between. Even in Helsinki, a walk through the Central Park (Keskuspuisto) can sometimes be interrupted by a surprise deer spotting. And here’s a good Finnish word for you: ‘lintubongaus’, or birdwatching. This is an incredibly popular hobby in Finland: the national organization for bird conservation and birdwatching has 29,000 members across the whole country.

3. Forests are great places to exercise all year round

Unless you choose an adventurous hike off the beaten path, most of the forests you’ll encounter in Finland have clear and well-kept paths that are great for walking the dog on a crisp autumn evening, jogging on a never-ending summer’s eve or, if you’re lucky enough, taking a healthy cross-country ski. There’s nothing like it!

One very popular hobby that combines the forest and exercise is ‘suunnistus’, or orienteering. The Finnish Orienteering Federation organises around 200 competitions annually across the country, with the youngest competitors being under 10 and the oldest being over 80! The biggest orienteering spectacles of them all are the Jukola and Venla Relays, massive two-day events starting on a Saturday evening in June and finishing on the Sunday morning. The Jukola Relay (men) is the world’s largest orienteering relay event; in 2024 over 1,600 teams tackled a course of seven stages covering 90 kilometres. The Venla Relay (women) in 2024 had four stages covering 32 km, and over 1,400 teams participated. This year’s Jukola and Venla Relays will be held in Mikkeli, some 230 km northeast from Helsinki, and over 16,000 participants have already registered!

4. There’s nothing better than camping in the forest

This one is common sense. If you’ve grown up with nature next door, and have a true love and respect for it, why not take the next step and spend some days and nights there? This passion starts early. The Guides and Scouts of Finland have over 65,000 members, and organise over 15,000 treks and events across the country throughout the calendar year.

And it’s fair to say that when do you want to go camping, you have a good chance of having your own privacy. Finland has over 3,000 hiking trails and over 200 campsites. Even if you’re only visiting Helsinki for a short trip, the Nuuksio National Park is a short bus ride away, and it has 12 camping sites to choose from.

5. There’s so much to choose from!

To sum up: It’s easy to love the forests when there are so many to choose from. If you’re really passionate and organised, you can easily go years without trying the same place twice!

Regardless of where you are in Finland, there’s a forest and nature nearby. This also applies to Helsinki, with its dozens of green areas including the Central Park and Haltiala primeval forest. Haltiala alone has six nature reserves!

With that, let’s turn to the spiritual reasons for the Finnish love of forests.

6. Finns have a love of, and deep respect for, nature and wildlife

Love of nature is something ingrained in Finns from an early age. Babies having naps outside, even in the depths of winter. Kindergarten kids trekking in the nearby forest. Scout groups taking long excursions in the forest.

It all builds from this. Finns learn they are part of a much bigger picture, much the same way that the country of around 5.5 million people operates – and thrives – in Europe and the world. If you don’t do your part, if you don’t take care of what’s around you, including those lovely forests, then the system doesn’t work.

7. The importance of getting away from things and having your own space

With a population of around 5.5 million in a country of Finland’s size, it doesn’t take too long to find your own space if you put your mind to it.

And Finns love having their own space. There are even internet memes about it. After a day at the office, seeing a theatre performance or spending an evening out at a restaurant or bar, there’s nothing more calming than putting on your hiking or running shoes the next morning and breathing in that fresh forest air.

8. Forests also give you the chance to strengthen friendships and social bonds

Solitude can be great, but let’s be honest – we all need some social contact, too. And we all know how important this was during the pandemic, when lockdowns and isolation took their toll on everyone.

That’s why on weeknights and weekends you’ll always see Finns out for a walk with friends and family. Maybe they’re even using Nordic walking poles to involve their arms. It’s the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone (or, as the Finns say, ‘lyödä kaksi kärpästä yhdellä iskulla’ – hit two flies with one blow) – catch up on the latest book or newest show you’ve been streaming while also getting some good exercise in!

9. The forest gives you a chance to be creative

If you’re able to quickly and easily unplug from your daily routine by heading to a nearby forest, it follows that you’ll have more chances to exercise the creative side of your brain.

No distractions, clean air and soothing sounds. Take a brisk walk and get the blood flowing. Why not take some time to plan next summer’s trip? Or then take a longer walk and dig into that new audiobook you’ve been meaning to listen to? Your brain will thank you. And with all that thinking to distract you, don’t be surprised if you finish your walk sooner than expected!

10. The healing power of forests

Meetings. Emails. Phone notifications. Scary news headlines. Traffic. Noisy crowds in the city. Stressed yet? Research shows that even a 15-minute walk in the forest will lower your blood pressure.

For our final point, it’s important to note that forests aren’t only about finding space and developing creativity. They are also about healing and renewal. Imagine putting your phone on airplane mode, dropping it in your pocket and going to breathe in some fresh forest air. Listen to the birds – maybe even do some ‘lintubongaus’ (remember that word from above?). See if you can spot some squirrels or other animals. Stop by the creek and see the water rush past. Hang on, was that a fish that just went by?

There, feeling better? Don’t worry, the outside world will still be there when you come out of the forest, and we guarantee you’ll feel far fresher to take on its challenges. And with that, time for an outdoor walk!