Inari

Inari www.inarilapland.org is a small village in Finnish Lapland, on the shore of Lake Inari.

Because Inari is located 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, there is Midnight Sun from late May to late July. The last ice within the lake disappears at the end of May. Even in July, the average temparature is only about 17°C. Inari is the biggest municipality in Finland by area.

The nearest airport is in Ivalo. Inari lies along road E75, but it's over 15 hours by bus from Helsinki.

Canoes can be rented and transported to the lake from Saariselkä, about 50 km south of Inari.

• Inari Lake (Inarijärvi) is Lapland's largest lake (about 40 x 80 km). The deepest point is 92 m. More than 50% of the area is not open water but a labyrinth of 3300 islands.

• Siida www.samimuseum.fi, also known as the Inari Sámi Museum, is a museum devoted to the culture of the Sámi, the original people of the area. In addition to the indoor exhibition, there is an outdoor museum features traditional Sámi dwellings. Entrance €9, open daily except Monday from 10 AM to 5 PM (longer hours in the summer).

The lake is ideal for fishing and canoeing: you are alone and will not meet any person for weeks. The landscape is very nice because of the islands, but there are lots of mosquitoes. There are 2 shops in Saariselkä, where you can rent canoes. They will also transport you to the lake and bring you back.

• There is a small restaurant in the Siida museum.
• Bear Caves. At the bear caves about 10kms outside Inari (in direction Ivalo) they offer meals from € 6.00.

• Hotel Inari www.hotelliinari.fi
• Hotel Inarin Kultahovi www.hotelkultahovi.fi
• Vasatokka, Angelintie 696, ☎ +358 16 670 7960, www.vasatokka.fi. A modern and comfortable hostel about 10km outside Inari € 30.

• The ski and spa resort of Saariselkä, 70 kilometers to the south

• Inari, peace and quiet, nature and clear lake. Back to the roots feeling... • Satu C.