Hiidenportti National Park in the Kainuu region in Eastern Finland is known for its impressive gorge landscapes in the barren boreal coniferous forest. The landscape also includes small mires and ponds. The rocky gorge was formed mainly during the ice age.
The name of this gorge and the national park refers to tales of ancient Finnish mythology, in which different natural elements or environments had their own creatures.
The remote location creates a peaceful wilderness atmosphere where you can hear only the sounds of nature. Most of the surroundings in this area are made up of a vast boreal taiga forest with lots of spruces. This ecosystem is imposed by a short growing season and severe winters with a long period of snow cover. These landscapes are characterised by a low diversity of tree species.
A rather demanding trail leads along the edge of the gorge and descends to its bottom. Although it is possible to visit this place year-round, it can be more demanding in the winter due to snow and ice.
After a steep climb up, I was rewarded with this sight. The sky’s reflection in this pond adds a stunning impact to the scenery. The summer evening turned cloudy a while after this view, so my timing was perfect for photography.
