The only thing that's free is backcountry skiing, and there’s plenty of it in Syöte. Skiing in the deep snow with forest skis is the traditional way to travel through the hilly forests and swamps of Syöte wilderness. The strong presence of this sport in Syöte is also highlighted by the annual World Championship competitions in backcountry skiing.

The rolling terrain and narrow needle-covered trails of Syöte provide excellent conditions for trail running. You can start your exploration of Syöte's trail running terrain by taking the Ahmankierros loop.

Geocaching is a fun way to learn how to use a GPS and experience Syöte through the eyes of a treasure hunter! There are many caches in the terrain and cabins of Syöte, so you’ll never run out of treasures to find.

Syöte is the best place in Finland to spot one of our most challenging species of old-growth forests: the red-flanked bluetail. In spring, the black grouse call in the bogs, and the willow grouse laughs in the willow thickets. Later, the common crane and the wood sandpiper wade through the flooded wetlands. In the spruce forest, the hazel grouse whistles, and the great grey owl flies silently overhead like a ghost. The luckiest may see a golden eagle soaring in the sky.

The snow in Syöte is nearly a meter thick every winter, ensuring plenty of snow for snowshoeing. The trails of Teerivaara, Naavaparta, Vattukurku, and Pikku-Syöte serve as snowshoe routes in winter, although they are not specifically maintained. The winter trail network, packed down by snowmobiles, is also well-suited for snowshoeing, especially for longer excursions. Leaving your own track in untouched backcountry snow can be a challenging but unforgettable experience.

The Pärjänjoki River features a 22-kilometer maintained canoeing route from Kuivakoski to Harriranta. Along the route, there is one campfire site and one day-use cabin. Additionally, the city of Pudasjärvi maintains the Naamankajoki canoeing route from Naamankajärvi to Iinattijärvi. About halfway along this route, you'll find the Taimenmutka wilderness cabin. In early summer, floods can raise the water level significantly, while in late summer, the rivers may become dry and rocky.

For those seeking a more tranquil paddling experience, Naamankajärvi is an excellent option, which is also suitable for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).

Especially in late summer and early autumn, those exploring Syöte should keep a keen eye out. The spruce forests are filled with ripe blueberries, and the pine heaths of Pytkynharju are tinged with red lingonberries. Cloudberries thrive in many of the area’s bogs and moist woodlands. In spring, the cranberries that emerge from beneath the snow are at their sweetest.

Syöte is particularly famous for its funnel chanterelles, which grow on the forested slopes of the hills. The season begins in early autumn and continues until the snow arrives. It’s also worth heading to the Syöte area in search of porcini mushrooms.

Syöte offers the best conditions for skijoring in Finland, with nearly 100 kilometers of trails available for skiing with dogs. It’s advisable to check the area’s trail map for designated routes where dogs are allowed. Skiing with dogs is permitted on all trails in the national park.

Remember to keep your dog leashed at all times and clean up any mess left on the trail.