About us

Skier moving across snowy terrain beneath a towering mountain under a pink Arctic sky.

Our Story

Wild Hikes Finland® was created from a simple idea: to welcome people into the heart of the Nordic north and its untamed beauty—one step, paddle stroke, or ski stride at a time. Founded by lifelong outdoorsman and local guide Joose Järvenkylä, our company has grown from the wild forests and fells of Lapland into a pioneer of sustainable, small-group wilderness journeys across Finland, Sweden, and beyond. We’re still led by local guides who know these lands as their own and carry their deep connection to the north into every trail and campfire conversation.

Our Mission

We believe true adventure happens quietly—without engines, without crowds—just the soft sound of footsteps, skis, or paddle strokes in wild places. With our local guides, you explore every corner with fresh eyes, gaining respect for nature and forming real connections between people and the wilderness.

Our Values

  • Premium Experiences – Small-group adventures designed and led by guides who grew up with these landscapes, offering genuine expertise and personal stories along the way.

  • Sustainability – Every journey follows Leave No Trace principles and supports local communities and partners.

  • Authenticity –Wild nature, real challenges, and meaningful encounters, always far from the beaten track and mass tourism.

  • Local Roots – Our trips are born from a deep connection to northern cultures, traditions, and the everyday rhythms of life in Lapland.

Why Choose Us

Wild Hikes Finland® isn’t just another adventure company—it’s the original pioneer of human-powered travel in the north, guiding guests off the beaten track since 2015.


Our guides are locals: lifelong wanderers and storytellers who know these wilderness areas as their own backyard. Their deep connection to the landscape—and the people who live here—means you’ll experience nature through northern eyes, not as a spectator but as a welcomed guest.


With a real commitment to sustainability and a passion for sharing the North’s magic, we take you to wild places that very few ever see.


Nobody goes further from the crowds—or closer to the soul of the north.

Guides

Our team brings together experienced wilderness guides who share a deep connection to the North—some were born here; others have spent many years exploring its wild lands.

Each guide combines true passion with practical know-how and a wish to share their knowledge of Lapland’s landscapes, cultures, and nature.

With a blend of local insight and international experience, our guides lead each journey with warmth, curiosity, and unwavering respect for both people and the wild—ensuring your adventure is not just safe and memorable, but truly authentic.

Joose Järvenkylä

Founder & Lead Guide

With deep family roots in Lapland and a life spent roaming the northern wilds, Joose grew up exploring Arctic nature every summer and winter. In 2015, he transformed this lifelong northern connection into Wild Hikes Finland®, helping others discover the wild beauty that has shaped his life.


Today, Joose designs new journeys, leads expeditions, and mentors guides—always sharing local knowledge and respect for the land. He is dedicated to safety, sustainability, and Leave No Trace, working closely with national parks and local communities in Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

 

Joose Järvenkylä – Founder & Lead Guide

Carry Rambausek

Outdoor & Wilderness Guide

Originally from Germany, Carry’s passion for wild places led her north—where the forests, lakes, and silence of Lapland quickly felt like home. Now based in Finland, she guides guests through the unique beauty of the far north, sharing moments that words alone can’t capture.


Carry is known for her warmth, contagious energy, and a spirit of gentle challenge—always encouraging you to step a little beyond your comfort zone and discover something new in nature and yourself. With Carry, every adventure is safe, spirited, and full of inspiration.

 

Carry Rambausek – Wilderness & Outdoor Guide

Lauri Pulkkinen

Wilderness Guide & Nature Enthusiast

Lauri has always felt most at home in wild places—on foot, skis, bike or by the water fishing. After realizing nearly all his free time was spent exploring the forests and fells of the north, he left the busy rhythms of the south to turn his passion into his work. Today, Lauri guides guests through nature year-round and finds inspiration in every season. For him, the outdoors is all about presence: “You slow down, focus, and truly enjoy the moment. That’s what I hope to share with everyone I guide.”

Lauri Pulkkinen – Certified Wilderness Guide & National Park Guide

Henna Metz

Wilderness Guide & Nature Photographer

Long before guiding became her profession, Henna was happiest outside—exploring wild trails, following animal tracks, and seeking the perfect sunrise with her camera. Today, she finds the greatest joy in sharing these moments with others, helping guests discover both the big and small wonders of the north.


Henna’s passion for nature photography means she’s always ready to help capture your best memories—especially if the northern lights appear. Known as a true “nature nerd,” she’s quick to spot wildlife and loves to share her knowledge, making every journey both safe and full of new discoveries.

 

Henna Metz – Wilderness Guide, nature photography & Northern Lights expert

Kimmo Kiimalainen

Senior Guide and Expedition Leader

Kimmo has been part of Wild Hikes Finland since the very beginning and brings a lifetime of adventure to every journey. With decades exploring the wilds not only in Finland, but also in Svalbard, Greenland, and the Russian taiga, he is known for his calm expertise and warm sense of humor.


Kimmo’s top priority is always safety—but beyond that, he believes that every adventure should feel personal and authentic, shaped by the group and the spirit of the moment. With Kimmo, no two journeys are ever the same—and all are unforgettable.

 

Kimmo Kiimalainen – Wilderness Guide

Anniina Perätalo

Guide And Outdoor Enthusiast

Anniina is most at home in the North, where her brightest smiles appear gliding over snowy trails. In winter, she guides guests on skis or a snowboard; in summer, you’ll find her paddling through wild waters—drawn again and again to the magic of the sea in every season.


For Anniina, being active outdoors is the true foundation of well-being. She shares this passion by encouraging thoughtful, sustainable choices and inspiring others to discover the joy and balance that nature brings to life.

 

Anniina Perätalo – Wilderness & Nature Guide

Lasse Lorentz

Wilderness Guide

Lasse is a wilderness guide from Finland with a deep love for Nordic nature. His passion for winter adventures began in school, spending days in frozen tents far from society—a time that taught him to embrace the simplicity and rhythm of life outdoors.
In winter, you’ll often find Lasse snowboarding, gliding on skis, or exploring vast lakes on nordic skates. Summer means paddling and enjoying endless evenings when the sun never truly sets.


Lasse values safety on every trip, but believes just as strongly in sharing laughter and good times—making every adventure both relaxed and memorable.

Chris Mount

Expedition Guide

For Chris, the purest connection to nature comes from moving under your own power—by kayak, bike, skis, or on foot—and spending nights beneath the open sky. In his view, these journeys reveal the real rhythms and wild beauty of the land, reaching places both physically and mentally that ordinary life never could. Chris finds the greatest joy in sharing these moments with others, making every trip into the wild a shared discovery.

 

Chris Mount – Wilderness Guide, human-powered Arctic adventures