Autumn at Lake Saimaa – Taste the Forest, Feel the Happiness
As summer softens into late August, the forests around Lake Saimaa invite you to slow down and breathe in the change of season. The days are still long, but the air grows cooler, the evenings darker, and the forest floor begins to offer its first gifts. Soon the landscape transforms into autumn foliage “ruska”, Finland’s famous season of autumn colors, when golden birches and fiery maples are mirrored in the calm waters of Saimaa. For Finns, this is the time to prepare both body and mind for the long winter ahead gathering berries and mushrooms, moving outdoors, and finding peace in nature’s rhythm.
Bilberries & Lingonberries – Gems of the Forest
The first treasure of the forest is the bilberry, with a season that begins in late July and lasts into early autumn. This small berry is a true Nordic superfood: packed with vitamins and antioxidants, it holds a special place in Finnish food culture. From pies and juices to jams, bilberries are part of everyday life. For many Finns, picking them is both a cherished childhood memory and a timeless autumn tradition.
Hot on the heels of bilberries comes the lingonberry, a tart, bright red berry that ripens from late summer into autumn. Rich in vitamin C and known for its health benefits, it is often made into jams and preserves. Lingonberry jam is the classic companion to game, meatballs, and porridge, bringing a tangy balance to hearty dishes. For Finns, the sight of lingonberries in the forest signals that autumn has truly arrived.
Together, bilberries and lingonberries mark the beginning of Finland’s forest harvest, a seasonal rhythm woven into life for generations. Families head to the woods, baskets in hand, to gather not only food but also memories: blueberry pies savored on summer evenings, jars of lingonberry jam lined up for the winter, and the quiet joy of walking among moss and pines while nature offers its gifts.
Mushrooms – autumn’s golden harvest
When September arrives, the spotlight shifts to mushrooms. Saimaa’s forests fill with porcini, chanterelles, and black trumpets – each with its own flavor and story.
Porcini – The King of Mushrooms
Sturdy and noble, porcini has long been called the king of mushrooms. In Italy, it’s the star of risottos and pastas, while in Finland it’s simply fried in butter or dried for winter use. For centuries, porcini has been the delicacy of aristocrats – and today it’s equally loved in Finnish homes, where its nutty, full-bodied flavor brings autumn to the plate.
Chanterelle – Finland’s Golden Treasure
The chanterelle glows like autumn sunshine on the forest floor. Easily recognized and safe for even beginners, it’s the mushroom that many Finns pick first as children. For generations, families have celebrated the season with creamy chanterelle sauces, often paired with new potatoes or freshly caught fish. To many, the taste of chanterelles is the taste of childhood and pure forest luxury.
Black Trumpet – The Hidden Gem
Despite its dramatic nickname Trumpet of Death, this dark mushroom is pure culinary gold. Its rich, mysterious flavor deepens sauces and stews, especially when dried. Hard to spot among fallen leaves, finding a black trumpet often feels like stumbling upon a secret treasure. And here’s a tip: if you discover one, look around carefully – there are usually dozens more nearby.
Thanks to Finland’s Everyone’s Rights, anyone can step into the forest and gather what nature provides. Mushroom hunting here is not just for experts, it is for everyone. The golden rule is simple: only pick mushrooms you can clearly identify and know are edible. And if you’d like to learn more, local guides offer foraging tours where you can safely explore the secrets of the forest.
Preserving the season
In Finland, the autumn harvest is enjoyed long after the forests have grown quiet. Mushrooms are dried, berries frozen, and jams and pickles line the shelves. It is a tradition of making nature last carrying the taste of summer and autumn into the heart of winter. Local restaurants embrace the same philosophy, preserving garden produce and forest flavors so they can offer seasonal delicacies even in the coldest months.
The magic of Autumn foliage – “ruska”
Autumn at Lake Saimaa is not only about what the forest gives, but also how it looks and feels. The ruska season paints the ridges and islands in glowing shades of gold, red, and orange. On calm days, the colors reflect perfectly in the still surface of the lake, creating a double horizon that feels almost otherworldly. This fleeting beauty is one of the most beloved times for hiking, photography, and simply pausing to admire nature’s artistry.
Wellness in the forest
Foraging is about more than food. The forest is a source of wellness: its silence calms the mind, its paths slow your pace, and its scents of moss, pine, damp earth – and even the fresh fragrance of water drifting in from the lake – bring you back to the present moment. You hear the rustle of leaves, the call of a bird, the gentle splash of water against the shore – sounds that remind you of life’s natural rhythm, far from the noise of everyday life.
Each berry or mushroom you gather is not only nourishment, but also a pause, a breath, a reminder of harmony with nature. In a world that moves too fast, the forest invites you to slow down and to feel, smell, and listen. This is Finnish happiness at its purest.
Autumns best nature destinations to explore
Around Saimaa you will also find some of Finland’s most iconic landscapes. Punkaharju Ridge, protected since the 19th century, offers breathtaking trails above the sparkling waters of Lake Puruvesi. Next to it, the Arboretum one of Finland’s most diverse tree species park that showcases over a hundred of species from around the world, making it a unique destination for nature lovers in every season.
Linnansaari and Kolovesi are Finland’s only national parks that can be reached by water. Linnansaari invites you to hike its trails, including the historic Linnavuori hillfort, where sweeping views open over the lake. Kolovesi, beloved by paddlers, is a quiet wilderness where motorboats are restricted and where you can admire ancient rock paintings that tell stories from thousands of years ago. Both parks are home to the endangered Saimaa ringed seal and offer some of the purest silence you will ever experience.
Nearby in Sulkava, you’ll find another ancient hillfort, Pisamalahden Linnavuori, standing as a reminder of the region’s long history. Sulkava also charms visitors with its scenic road along Lake Saimaa, often called the little sister of Punkaharju Ridge, where forested slopes and glistening waters unfold in breathtaking harmony.
