Repovesi National Park

Typically October 1–October 10

A bald quartzite ridge over Lake Pielinen in North Karelia, its view painted by Eero Järnefelt in 1911 and picked by Sibelius for his honeymoon. Birch and aspen cloaking the 347-meter summit's slopes turn gold and copper in early October, the park's single busiest week of the year.

Don’t miss: Ukko-Koli summit over Lake Pielinen · birch and aspen slopes · inspired Sibelius and Järnefelt

Typically September 1–September 10

A 546-meter fell in the Saariselkä range, on the western edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park in Lapland. The bare summit is a two-kilometer climb from the Kiilopää fell center, and in early September the dwarf birch and willow on its lower slopes turn copper against grey scree above the tree line.

Don’t miss: two-km trail to a bare 546m summit · dwarf birch and willow understory · views into Urho Kekkonen wilderness

Typically September 5–September 18

Straddling the Russian border near Kuusamo, this 270-square-kilometer park follows the turquoise Oulankajoki river through pine and spruce forest, its banks lined with birch that turns gold against the evergreen canopy. The Kiutaköngäs rapids, an 8-km round trip from the visitor center, are the classic short walk; local tradition in Kuusamo marks 12 September as the day ruska arrives.

Don’t miss: Kiutaköngäs rapids, 8-km loop · birch banks along the Oulankajoki · start of the Karhunkierros trail