Lapland’s nature is a dream for berry pickers. Cloudberry bogs, blueberry forests and lingonberry-covered heathlands offer not only a rich harvest but also a place to slow down and relax. When you can head straight into nature from your accommodation, the experience becomes wonderfully simple.
Why Is Lokka a Special Place for Berry Picking?
Lapland is one of Finland’s most important regions for wild berries. According to the Natural Resources Institute Finland, a significant share of Finland’s wild berry harvest is collected in Lapland, where vast forests and wetlands provide excellent conditions for berry picking.
Cloudberries are among Lapland’s most prized natural treasures. They thrive in wet bogs and benefit from bright summer days and cool nights. The wetlands around the Lokka Reservoir provide ideal growing conditions.
Blueberries, lingonberries and crowberries are also common in the surrounding forests and heathlands. The area is also home to many edible mushrooms, including chanterelles and porcini.
Stay Somewhere with a Story
When you stay with us, you get more than just a place to sleep and easy access to nature. Our accommodation also has its own local history.
The Traditional Finnish House, also known as the Old Post House, once served as Lokka’s post office and Post Bank. Before 1968, postal vehicles travelled to the village via Vuotso to deliver the mail. The drivers stayed overnight in the house before returning to Sodankylä the following day.
The main bedroom was once used as accommodation for postal workers. Villagers gathered in the main living room to wait for the postal vehicle and catch up on local news. One of the rooms served as the Post Bank, where people could withdraw money and even receive their wages.
Grandma’s Cottage is located in the same yard. Around the turn of the 1960s and 1970s, it was home to the mother of the Old Post House owner.
Read more about the
Traditional Finnish House and
Grandma’s Cottage.
Head Straight into the Forest for Mushrooms
Mushroom picking is especially enjoyable in the morning, when the forest is cool and moist. From our accommodation, you can head straight into the surrounding wilderness without getting in the car.
When picking mushrooms, remember that Lapland’s forests are home to many edible species, but also poisonous ones. Never eat a mushroom unless you are certain of its identification.
A useful source for mushroom identification is the
Finnish Mycological Society, which provides information and identification resources.
Process and Store Your Harvest on Site
Berries and mushrooms need proper storage to stay fresh. Our approximately 50 m² processing building in the yard provides practical facilities for handling and storing your harvest.
The building includes:
- Hot and cold running water and drainage
- Space for cleaning berries and mushrooms
- Two large freezers for storage
If your trip also includes fishing or hunting, the facilities also include:
- A ceiling-mounted hoist for skinning moose
- A suitable area for cleaning and processing fish
- A vacuum sealer for packing game and fish
- Two large freezers with plenty of space for meat and fish
Both Grandma’s Cottage and the Traditional Finnish House also have their own freezers, so smaller daily harvests can be stored directly in the accommodation.
The kitchens are well equipped, so you can also turn freshly picked berries into jam or juice, or prepare a delicious soup or sauce from the mushrooms you have gathered.
Give Yourself Enough Time to Enjoy the Trip
Our accommodation in Lokka, Sodankylä, is located around 90 kilometres northeast of central Sodankylä and is reached along a narrow road. Rovaniemi is approximately 220 kilometres away.
Because of the distance, it is worth allowing enough time for your stay, especially if you want to go berry picking, mushroom picking or simply enjoy the peace of Lapland.
A one-night stay can easily feel too short once travelling time is taken into account. Five days or a week gives you much more time to explore the area and discover your favourite berry and mushroom spots.
Contact us if you are interested in staying with us. We are happy to tell you more about the accommodation and the surrounding area.
