Pohjolan Pirtti

The road to Pohjolan Pirtti wound through snowy forests, about half an hour east from Kuusamo's center. I arrived on a crisp winter afternoon, the air sharp with pine. The place sits in Vuotungin village, an old settlement with roots back to the 1680s, when settlers first came from Sotkamo.

Historical buildings cluster here, surrounded by nature that the owners clearly cherish. They offer saunas, a restaurant, and seasonal activities. I had booked a sauna evening with wild food, drawn by the promise of authentic Finnish traditions.

The sauna building felt sturdy, built in the old style. I changed and entered the warm room, where the heat from the stove built steadily. They provide traditional sauna experiences here, part of their sauna tours or evenings.

I sat on the wooden benches, letting the steam work its way in. No fancy infusions, just the pure heat and quiet. After a while, I stepped out to cool off in the fresh air, the snow crunching underfoot.

Back inside for another round, the session lasted a couple of hours, as these evenings often do. It cost around what you'd expect for such an experience in Lapland, booked through their site.

Once the sauna wrapped up, we moved to the restaurant for a villiruokapäivällinen, their wild food dinner. The space serves as a custom restaurant, open for bookings. Dishes featured local ingredients, like berries and game, prepared simply but with care.

I tried a stew that tasted of the forest, paired with fresh bread. The group chatted about the day, sharing stories from the sauna. They also offer lunches and other meals, tying into the sauna evenings.

The whole visit blended heat, food, and the calm of the countryside. As I drove back through the darkening woods, I thought about the old farm's history and how it still welcomes visitors today.