Beaver Safari in Riipis

The trees cast long shadows. We sit in the twilight in silence and wait.

Suddenly there is a splash – it´s the beaver – brown-furred and wet it appears on its way to fill the food supply and reinforce its dam. Beavers are shy, quiet, and have a fantastic sense of smell that lets them easily detect us humans. However, the beaver´s eyesight is poor, so if we move carefully we have a good chance of meeting the wild animal in its natural environment.

How does it happen?

We gather around the fire at one of the cottages where, during an outdoor dinner, we get to know each other and talk more about the beavers. After dinner we take our pre-packed backpacks and walk towards the starting point on the mountain while we go through the last tips on how to have the best chance of seeing the beavers. Then we continue the walk towards the stream and the beavers.

The whole experience takes about 4 hours. We spend about 2.5 hours on site by the steam where we scout for beavers. There’s mosquito repellent as well as binocuars, a headlamp and water in the backpacks.

When: June – September
Time: 4 hours including dinner
Number of participants: 2-4 people
What´s included: Guided tour, outdoor dinner, loan of backpack and supplies
Bring: Waterproof boots or wellies, a shell jacket and camera.
Price per participant: 1850 SEK

There is, of course, no guarantee that we’ll see beavers – but we do guarantiee a nice experience in beaver habitat, and we can find traces of the beavers along the stream.

If you want accomodation, there are two options: Lalla´s cabin by the lake or a cabin on the mountain.

Canoe on Riipijärvi Lake

Take a canoe trip out on the lake or follow the shoreline and experience nature from the water. Paddle among the waterlilies in the shalloy bay. Here you can see how the beavers have gnawed at the trees, or perhaps a pike rushes by and leaves a ripple on the surface. There’s room for two people in the canoe. Why not share the experience under the midnight sun? If you haven’t tried it before and you know how to swim, you can practice the technique at the edge of the beach. Then you can take a longer ride when you feel ready for it. Who knows, it could be a great experience to learn how to move ahead in a whole new way.

You will recive instructions when you rent a canoe.

Included: Canoe, one paddle per person, one lifejacket per person, waterproof bags for mobile phones.
Price: One canoe for 4 hours, 400 SEK

Would you like to bring lunch or coffee on your trip? Please make your order the day before.

There are also two paddleboards for rent to get the same experience. On a paddleboard you can kneel, sit or stand. They look like a wide surfboard.

You will recive instructions when you rent a paddleboard.

Included: Paddleboard, paddle, lifejacket, waterproof bag for mobile phones.
Price: One paddelboard for 4 hours, 275 SEK

All rentals are from RiipiBo.

Mountainbike / Bicycle

Bike along gravel- and forest roads at your own pace during the summer greenery. Or experience the splendor of autumn as the leaves shift color. There are both ups and downs during the journey. Check out the famous Persoma Hill, see how far upphill you can get, challenge your friends. Why not take a longer trip under the midnight sun over to Grubbnäsudden’s swimming area, approximately 11 km’s from the cabin.

Bring lunch /  coffee or a late-night dinner.

Included: Mountainbike / bicycle, bike helmet
Price, Mountainbike: 1 person for 4 hours, 350 SEK. For 1 day, 500 SEK
Price, Bicycle: 1 person for 4 hours, 275 SEK. For 1 day: 350 SEK
Rent of backpack for the trip: 50 SEK / person

All rentals are from RiipiBo.

Hike to RiipiBo’s wind shelter with a view of Penikkajärvi

The tour goes along the old forest road and up to an old spruce forest, witch we easily travel through. Then we follow the path until we reach a long mire. There, on its upper part and at the edge of the forest, we can glimpse the shelter. And then, when we reach our finish line, there’s wood to light the fire while we prepare lunch. Afterwards, we finish up by making coffee over the open fire and feel the wonderful aroma spread around us. On the mire there are salt stones for moose and reindeer. Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to spot the king of the forest as he wanders up to them. Lake Penikkajärvi is larger than Riipijärvi. In winter, we usually go there by bandvagon to fish for perch on the ice and enjoy the sun in the shelter.

If you want to take the trip yourself, without a guide, you can borrow a map. Firewood is available at the wind shelter. And if you want to bring some lunch with you, please place your order the day before!

Guided tour with outdoor lunch.

When: June – September
Time: 4 hours including lunch. Start at 9:30.
Number of participants: 2 – 8 people
Price: 1800 SEK / person

It’s a fairly easy walk with light climbs, about 6 km round trip.

Together we carry what we need for lunch and water in our backpacks.

Bring: Waterproof boots, sunscreen and camera.

The guide also brings binoculars that you can borrow.

English speaking guide.

Photo, ”Walk”: @stephanhtm