“Ruska” is the Finnish term for foliage and derives from the Northern Sami word “ruške”. This phenomenon begins in Lapland in September and spreads southward, coloring the landscapes red, orange, and yellow. The cold and diminishing light of autumn halts the photosynthesis process in trees, plants, and shrubs. The green of the leaves gives way to the distinctive warm shades of maples and birches!
Best time to experience ruska
September and October are the best months for exploring forests, camping in pristine nature, picking wild herbs, mushrooms, and berries.
The peak of “ruska” in northern Finland typically occurs in the second week of September and lasts about ten days. The period obviously varies from year to year based on weather conditions. If it’s sunny and temperatures are mild, leaves change color later, while windy weather tends to bring them forward. In southern Finland, ruska occurs between late September and early October.
The best way to enjoy the autumn colors is to take a “ruskaretki“, an excursion into the city, in the forest, or on the hills to admire the splendid autumn colors.
What to pack for a “ruskaretki”?
In September temperatures can easily drop from 20 degrees Celsius during the day to 10 degrees Celsius at night. We recommend dressing in layers wearing waterproof shoes and a windbreaker.
“Ruskaretki” it’s much more than walking! During the trek, it’s typical to take a break, enjoying sausages, hot chocolate, cookies, and coffee around the fire. The leaves’ colors aren’t the only wonders the forests offer: mushrooms and berries, such as blueberries and cranberries, are treasures that grow during this period.
Special places to observe ruska
One of the best spots is Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, the third largest in Finland. The old ironworks villages, such as Strömfors and Fiskars, located in the coastal region and the archipelago, offer a magical setting for an autumn visit. In Fiskars in particular, you can rent a mountain bike and explore the forests along the 60 km of trails that crisscross them. Koli Hill, located in eastern Finland, is also a magical location, having inspired many Finnish artists over the centuries.
Jokaisenoikeus: “Everyman’s Right”
The Finnish coastal and archipelago region boasts an incredible variety of local delicacies. In autumn, the forests are filled with wild mushrooms, lingonberries, and root vegetables. In Finland, forests are not just a place to wander, but also a place to gather. Thanks to “Everyman’s Right” (jokaisenoikeus), everyone has the right to roam freely and pick mushrooms and berries, fish, and use natural areas for recreation, respecting nature.
Foraging is part of Finnish tradition, a ritual passed down from generation to generation.
Forest ingredients are deeply rooted in Finnish culinary culture and are present in every dish, from morning porridge to desserts. Many restaurants focus on the concept of foraging.
Here are some treasures to seek out!
- Bilberries, different from blueberries: darker and juicier, they’re often a key ingredient in many recipes, especially sweet ones.
- Cranberries, a perfect match for savory dishes, often served as jam. They’re harvested from early September to mid-October.
- Cloudberries, rare, golden berries found mainly in the north, often eaten with leipäjuusto, the traditional cheese once made from reindeer milk, served warm. It has a flat shape and a charred surface that makes it resemble bread.
- Chanterelles and porcini mushrooms
For safe and responsible harvesting, you can join a guided excursion with a local guide.
Local market during the period of ruska
Vegetables such as leeks, cabbage, and carrots are available throughout the autumn season, along with many local fish, including pike, perch, and trout, which can also be found at local markets. Haymarket is the Halloween market in Vaasa, where local producers sell meat, vegetables, bread, and baked goods, along with traditional crafts. Another farmers’ market worth checking out is in Tammisaari. It takes place in September and features around 270 vendors. Don’t miss the Lohja Apple Carnival. This seasonal event takes place in the courtyard of the Lohja Museum, where you can buy baked goods, local crafts, and fresh apples.
At Rannikko Garden in Halikko, a week entirely dedicated to pumpkins is held. Every year, during this event, visitors can admire the surprising shapes of pumpkins in the park, savoring sweets and delicacies made with this tasty fruit on site or at local restaurants and cafés that serve pumpkin-themed dishes.
In autumn, fishing takes place off the spectacular west coast
Finland’s coastline offers world-class fishing. The most important species for sport fishing are pike and perch. Anglers can choose from the Rauma Archipelago, the Oura Archipelago near Merikarvia, the Ahlainen Archipelago north of Pori, and the archipelago between Pietarsaari and Kokkola.
Finland has a fisheries management fee, a recurring federal tax, which is mandatory for anyone fishing between the ages of 18 and 64. Hook-and-line fishing and ice fishing, however, are permitted under public law and do not require a license. Payment of the management fee entitles you to practice artificial lure fishing using a rod, reel, and bait throughout Finland.
The quintessential autumn fishing event is the Helsinki Baltic Herring Market, Silakkamarkkinat, held in the capital every October since 1743.
Have you ever seen the ruska?! What’s the most unusual destination where you’ve witnessed the spectacular foliage?!