Wanha Raatesalmi
Wanha Raatesalmi
5
About
Situated only 30 minutes’ drive from Ruka ski resort, lies our farm Wanha Raatesalmi (Old Raatesalmi). From this unique and protected historical location on the lakeside, our riding tours take us through scenic landscapes in the heart of Kuusamo’s wilderness where have good chance to see wild animals e.g. reindeers. We emphasize personal service, safety and an environmentally friendly operation.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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5.0
21 reviews
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21
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NipaT
Helsinki, Finland38 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
My family went on two occasions on a 2-hour trail ride. Our guides Nata and Juuli were cheerful, friendly and very professional. The special traits of our lovely, calm and reliable icelandic horses were introduced to us before departure. Along the way Juuli took an effort and gave us good tips on how to improve our riding. At the end of the ride we got to wade into the lake with the horses (tip: you might want to take off your shoes as they will get wet for sure!). I can highly recommend this wonderful place where you can enjoy the Lappish nature and the horses are well taken care of!
Written July 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Japsterr
Helsinki, Finland12 contributions
Aug 2020 • Solo
Paddocks, changing room and toilets are clean and staff are very professional & friendly Islandic horses.
I will be definitely be back whenever I’m within the area.
I bet this looks gorgeous during the winter.
It’s late summer now and the forest grounds have lots of mushrooms and those were like candies to the horses.
I allowed the horse (that was assigned to me) to grab several mushrooms and munch away as we trek (to go). 😬
Was a bit worried that she might snatch a poisonous one and was thinking of how to pry the mare’s mouth open 😱 (if ever she would do it) but I was assured that the horses can differentiate what is edible and poisonous.
The tour to the forest is quite entertaining, I finally saw what what a reindeer’s (free range) bed looks like.
We saw several reindeers and they weren’t afraid of the horses. We even went to the lake, was thinking that the horses would benefit drinking cool water on a hot sunny day coz I felt the mare sweating. And would like to cool their legs after a rigorous exercise.
I don’t mind getting my boots soaked it was fun.
Request for stairs when you mount or dismount.
I’m used to western saddles and there is no horn to grab to coz they have hornless saddles.
I made a mistake of landing near some jagged rocks as I dismounted. I tried to avoid it so it resulted me to falling hard on my left knee.
No broken bones, just a sore knee... thank gawd!
I will be definitely be back whenever I’m within the area.
I bet this looks gorgeous during the winter.
It’s late summer now and the forest grounds have lots of mushrooms and those were like candies to the horses.
I allowed the horse (that was assigned to me) to grab several mushrooms and munch away as we trek (to go). 😬
Was a bit worried that she might snatch a poisonous one and was thinking of how to pry the mare’s mouth open 😱 (if ever she would do it) but I was assured that the horses can differentiate what is edible and poisonous.
The tour to the forest is quite entertaining, I finally saw what what a reindeer’s (free range) bed looks like.
We saw several reindeers and they weren’t afraid of the horses. We even went to the lake, was thinking that the horses would benefit drinking cool water on a hot sunny day coz I felt the mare sweating. And would like to cool their legs after a rigorous exercise.
I don’t mind getting my boots soaked it was fun.
Request for stairs when you mount or dismount.
I’m used to western saddles and there is no horn to grab to coz they have hornless saddles.
I made a mistake of landing near some jagged rocks as I dismounted. I tried to avoid it so it resulted me to falling hard on my left knee.
No broken bones, just a sore knee... thank gawd!
Written August 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LJ1506
3 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
Booked to combine the Northern lights with an experience. The first wasn't visible due to cloud but what an experience we had. Adult and 2 children (12 & 10) slowly riding through the forest on Icelandic horses with our guide Cecilia was amazing. So serene and beautiful. Absolutely worth it even without the northern lights.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Written February 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geesch65
Heinkenszand, The Netherlands569 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
What is not really standard in Lapland is horseriding..so exactly what we wanted to do. We booked this location and it was great fun. We were picked up in Ruka and drove to the stables with icelandic horses.
My wife is experienced driver but I am a nitwit in horsedriving…but it was soooo much fun riding an Icelandic horse in Töllt in the forest Eastern from Kuusamo..
an absolute must for animal lovers…or horse drivers..special Thanks to Emma and our guide Reeta!!
My wife is experienced driver but I am a nitwit in horsedriving…but it was soooo much fun riding an Icelandic horse in Töllt in the forest Eastern from Kuusamo..
an absolute must for animal lovers…or horse drivers..special Thanks to Emma and our guide Reeta!!
Written February 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MannaKall
Tampere, Finland2 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
A beautiful, peaceful place in lovely surroundings by the lake. Extremely friendly and helpful staff and superb customer service. The Icelandic horses of Wanha Raatesalmi are wonderful trail companions, fun but safe to ride and well taken care of. Riding in beautiful forests of Kuusamo is an experience you don't want to miss! If you're lucky enough to visit the place on a hot summer day you have a chance to go swimming with or without horses.
Would totally recommend this place to anyone, truly magical place both in summer and winter.
Would totally recommend this place to anyone, truly magical place both in summer and winter.
Written July 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shanemb78
Dublin, Ireland21 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
Amazing evening. Going through a forest which can only be described as a winter wonderland. I never rode a horse before but cecilia (sorry if name is wrong 😅) really put me at ease and was a lovely friendly person to talk to as was the lady who drove me there from the hotel. Scenery around the area was beautiful as well.
Written February 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Henry
85 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We did a 2 hour trail ride and it was simply awesome! Was luckily enough to be just us on the activity! I haven't ridden much at all and have to say that the Icelandic Horses are the most lovely, calm, well mannered and ideal horses to ride!
The area where the stables are located and the trail we went on is stunning - the temperature was around -16°C and had over a metre of snow on the ground in a lot of places but this just added to the beauty and splendor!
Our guide was amazing too - explained everything that we needed to know how to ride, control the horses and had some interesting facts about the horses we were riding and the breed themselves!
I highly recommend this to visitors as an activity to do for many reasons - the horses, scenery, time away from the slopes, to relax and many more!
One tip - just make sure you have the appropriate clothing on for the time of year, our guide told us how people would turn up in highly inappropriate wear especially for the winter time trails!
Luckily I didn't fall off my horse - if I had the snow would have been like a pillow to land on!!!!
The area where the stables are located and the trail we went on is stunning - the temperature was around -16°C and had over a metre of snow on the ground in a lot of places but this just added to the beauty and splendor!
Our guide was amazing too - explained everything that we needed to know how to ride, control the horses and had some interesting facts about the horses we were riding and the breed themselves!
I highly recommend this to visitors as an activity to do for many reasons - the horses, scenery, time away from the slopes, to relax and many more!
One tip - just make sure you have the appropriate clothing on for the time of year, our guide told us how people would turn up in highly inappropriate wear especially for the winter time trails!
Luckily I didn't fall off my horse - if I had the snow would have been like a pillow to land on!!!!
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristel
2 contributions
Dec 2019
Our trail riding guide was very professional and the service was great. The horses were very friendly and beautiful. All in all a magnificent experience, I would highly recommend.
Written December 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Snowman1966-family
1 contribution
Feb 2018 • Family
Willa Raattenranta, comfortable and clean rooms, great sauna by the lake.
Children loved the animals: horses, sheep, chickens, dogs and cats.
We were lucky to see the northern lights and feel the magic of the aurora borealis dance through the sky.
Lovely riding tour with wonderful scenery, paths through a frozen arctic forest and the silence of nature was amazing. The guide was nice and professional. The horses were sweet, happy and well cared for.
We have been here many times before and this is a great place during both winter and summer.
Friendly and helpful staff! Highly recommended!
Children loved the animals: horses, sheep, chickens, dogs and cats.
We were lucky to see the northern lights and feel the magic of the aurora borealis dance through the sky.
Lovely riding tour with wonderful scenery, paths through a frozen arctic forest and the silence of nature was amazing. The guide was nice and professional. The horses were sweet, happy and well cared for.
We have been here many times before and this is a great place during both winter and summer.
Friendly and helpful staff! Highly recommended!
Written April 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vappu T
5 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Wanha Raatesalmi is a place where you can really enjoy your holiday. The accommodations are excellent - a nicely decorated country house with all the comforts. The nature is lovely and the views amazing. The staff of the place is really nice, welcoming and professional.
Best part for me are the Icelandic horses. They are really fun and safe but still competent. Riding in the forests is wonderful: there are lakes, trees and even reindeers! I love this place and keep coming back again and again.
Best part for me are the Icelandic horses. They are really fun and safe but still competent. Riding in the forests is wonderful: there are lakes, trees and even reindeers! I love this place and keep coming back again and again.
Written March 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phantomwolf9876
Rowena, South Dakota
I tried to email you I am coming in August and want a full week of horseback riding. Your email was returned unread(something about the domain) Shall I call you to book the horse treks?
Written May 31, 2019
Добрый день! К оплате принимают карты?
Written December 20, 2018
may i know how to book for the horse riding during Feb 2019?
Written August 13, 2018
Nacade
Kuusamo, Finland
Hello,
Thank you for your question. Best way to book riding tours is to send email to us. Email address is varaukset@wanharaatesalmi.fi.
Best regards,
Mirva/Wanha Raatesalmi :)
Written August 14, 2018
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