Ranua Wildlife Park, open every day: about 50 wild species and three polar bears. Plus trails for the season and where to eat, with today's hours.
Simojärvi (From Korvajokisuu or Yli-Soppananjärvi): An easy hiking trail through the landscape around Lake Simojärvi, with duckboards over the wettest stretches. Along the way are the sandy beach at Suolahti, several bogs and bare rock outcrops near Tuppilampi. Walk it when there is no snow: the car parks are not ploughed in winter.
Lake Ranuanjärvi: An easy hiking trail with views over Lake Ranuanjärvi along part of the way. You return the same way, and there and back takes 2.5–4 hours on foot. In winter it is a maintained winter cycling route that you can also walk, snowshoe or ski, though no ski track is groomed. In spring, high water from the Hyyhelönoja stream can reach the trail.
Taistelujen polku: The trail tells the story of the Battle of Ylimaa, fought in Ranua on 7–9 October 1944 during the Lapland War. Along the way you can read the stories or listen to them. The route has white and orange markers and takes 1–2 hours. The photo shows the Ranua–Rovaniemi road in October 1944, six days after the battle.
Ranua Wildlife Park: About 150 animals of some 50 wild species live in roomy enclosures in the forest along a 2.8 km route, most of it on wooden boardwalks. The park is open every day of the year. Its three polar bears are, the park says, the only ones in Finland, and you can see them from ground level by the fence as well as from a high walkway. In winter only a few of the animals hibernate; in summer the farm animal area opens too, and entry is included in the ticket.
Fazer shop and teddy bear exhibition: In the courtyard by the wildlife park ticket office are Fazer’s sweet shop, open every day of the year, and a teddy bear exhibition with about 800 teddy bears and 200 teddy-bear-themed items. Entry to the exhibition is free.
Ranua Church: A small cruciform log church on the shore of Lake Ranuanjärvi, designed by Jarl Eklund and consecrated in 1914. It seats 338, and the altarpiece by Matti Visanti dates from 1951. You can go inside in June and July and on event weekends.
Hillatori market square: The market square in the centre of Ranua is at its busiest in summer, with market days in June and July. Hilla is Finnish for cloudberry, and at the start of the picking season each year the “world market price” of cloudberries is announced here.
Portimo bird tower: In Portimo village, about 25 km from the centre of Ranua near the Rovaniemi road. The bird tower and the fire pit are wheelchair-accessible, the lake has a sandy beach, and there is a lean-to shelter. The fire pit can be used all year round.
Lounas-Pizzeria Vaaka: Pizzeria and lunch restaurant at Hotel Ilveslinna in the centre.
Wild Arctic Restaurant (Ranua Resort): Buffet and grill restaurant at the wildlife park resort.
Kiireen Raja Leipomo-Kahvila: Bakery café serving pastries and a home-cooked lunch every day.
Café & Bistro Bubo: Café and bistro at Ranua Wildlife Park.
Hotelli Ilveslinna Bar & Lounge: Hotel bar in the centre, with a pool table.
Arctic Guesthouse & Igloos Restaurant: Restaurant and café with Lappish dishes in a refurbished guesthouse that has served travellers since the 1940s; open to non-guests too.
St1 Ranua: Fuel station on Keskustie serving soup for lunch on weekdays.