Expert Lapland Skiing Guides for Unforgettable Adventures

The founder

Joose Järvenkylä brings unparalleled expertise and passion to Wild Hikes Finland®. After leaving a conventional career in 2014, Joose pursued his dream of wilderness guiding by completing the renowned Kuru International Wilderness Guiding Program (2014–15). Following his graduation, he established Wild Hikes Finland® to share the breathtaking natural experiences he has enjoyed on countless private expeditions.

Joose is not only the driving force behind Wild Hikes Finland®’s innovative tour development but also actively guides many of the trips himself. Outside of expeditions, he teaches adult outdoor skills courses and assesses prospective wilderness guides, ensuring the highest standards in the field.

Credentials and Commitment

Joose’s extensive qualifications underscore his dedication to safety, sustainability, and excellence:
• Advanced First Aid (Finnish FA2)
• Advanced Remote Emergency Care (British REC2)
• Hunter’s License
• Travel Industry Safety Passport (MATUPA)
• Food Hygiene Passport
• Competence-Based Evaluation Certification (master of competence based wilderness guides), being an assessor for Wilderness Guides

A committed environmentalist, Joose ensures that Wild Hikes Finland® operates under the “Leave No Trace” principle. The company works closely with Finnish Nature and Park Services as an Entrepreneur Committed to Sustainable Development Goals in Nature Travel. Similar partnerships are maintained with Norrbotten County in Sweden and Finnmark County in Norway.

Why Choose Us

Wild Hikes Finland® isn’t just an adventure travel company—it’s the original pioneer of human-powered expeditions in the Nordic north. With our deep expertise, commitment to sustainability, and personalized approach, every journey we offer is a step into the extraordinary.

Take care, and see you in the wild!

Joose Järvenkylä

Certified Wilderness Guide, certified national park guide, first aid and rescue skills (First aid skills levels 1&2 certified by the Finnish Red Cross + Voluteer fire department)
Lauri has been passionate about spending time in the wilderness his whole life. Longer and shorter hikes, skiing, fishing, trail running, cycling are just part of the things he loves to do in nature.

At sime point Lauri noticed that he spent all of his spare time in the forests and fells of the north. Therefore, he left the busy life of southern Finland and studied to become a wilderness guide. Currently he is busy roaming in the wild by foot, skis, bike or canoe. 
Lauri sees that the possibilities for self-development in the wild are unlimited and there are always new things to learn. However, he says that the best thing in the nature is: "That you concentrate and enjoy the moment 100%. That is the feeling I want to share with the people I hike with."

Languages Finnish, English

"I am Anniina Perätalo, a nature and wilderness guide who feels at home in the North. My widest smiles appear when I’m gliding on snow. In winter, I work with skiing and snowboarding, while summers are about sea kayaking – the water element creates a fascinating and ever-changing environment, whether it’s above or below freezing. Being active in nature is the cornerstone of my well-being, and I strive to ensure the relationship isn’t one-sided. That’s why I do my best to advocate for sustainable choices and help people discover the joys of the outdoors."

At Wild Hikes Finland’s tours since the beginning, You’ll also meet Kimmo Kiimalainen, certified wilderness guide with lots of outdoor experience of different kinds. He speaks fluently Finnish, German and English and can be found guiding hiking tours not only in Finland, but also in Svalbard, Greenland, and Russian taiga.

Besides wilderness guide's professional proficiency Kimmo holds Wilderness Medical Associates’ “Wilderness First Responder (WFR)” certificate, Finnish Red Cross “FA2” first aid certificate, travel industry worker's safety passport, food hygiene passport, certificate for operators of charter boats, several navigation related certificates and Hunter's permit.

For Kimmo pretty much everything – except safety related matters – is negotiable to make any tour with Wild Hikes Finland genuinely “Your tour” and an unforgettable and authentic northern experience.

Before becoming a wilderness guide Henna was already an experienced outdoor adventurer, and the most rewarding thing about being a guide for her, is being able to share these amazing experiences with others as well.  In addition off being a certified international wilderness guide, Henna is a avid nature photographer and other than being happy to document the trip and sharing images with the group afterwards, she is also happy to help you make the most of your own holiday images, especially if we get lucky enough with the northern lights! As a self-proclaimed “nature-nerd” she also has a good knowledge of the local nature and wildlife and will be pointing out different animal tracks along the way and telling you about the animals that left them. She will make sure that everyone will remain safe while having a good time. Henna speaks Finnish, English and Dutch.

I'm drawn to human powered expeditions through wild places by kayak, bike, skis or on foot. Moving through nature by your own power and sleeping in the wilderness immerses you in your surroundings. It allows glimpses into nature's subtleties, it's rhythms, it's balance, it's brutality. You go to places physically and mentally not accessible in everyday life. It's a pleasure to be in a position where I can pass on these experiences to others and I look forward to spending time with you in the wilderness