Eco-Travel ECEAT Finland

Eräratsut offers versatile trail riding and tourism services for private and corporate customers in Lapland: in Simo round the year and, during the summer holiday season, in Rovaniemi on islands where horses spend their summers.

Your hostess, Tuulia, has 30 years of experience of horse care as well as several qualifications in the equine and riding field (including an international therapeutic riding instructor’s qualification). The company is a member of the Trail Riding Union of Finland.

So-called ‘natural horsemanship’ is valued highly here: we interact with the horses on their terms. The farm is home to around seven horses that do not have shoes and that mainly live in a stable with access to outdoors.

The headquarters of Eräratsut is a traditional smallholding in Simo, close by the Viantienjoki River. The farm buildings date back to the 1920s and 1930s. In addition to grassland farming, we also grow potatoes and vegetables for household use. Any firewood we need for heating the buildings comes from our own forests, from where it is carried home by our horses. Some chickens, a Lapponian herder dog and a cat also live on the farm.

The company helps riders and camp participants who stay overnight to find accommodation services. The accommodation is provided by another entrepreneur/neighbouring companies.

Our wilderness cabin also provides beds for two adults and one child (wood-burning stove, composting toilet). Visitors can stay in their own tents/campervans free of charge, or in a tent or campervan provided by Eräratsut. Accommodation is additionally available in the living space of a Scania horse truck (loft beds and kitchen facilities for 9 riding camp participants and trail riders on overnight treks).

An electricity supply point for cars and campervans is provided in the immediate vicinity of the trek starting point in Simo.

In meal services (mainly packed lunches for trekking) we use plenty of local foods and organic produce. The animals of the farm take care of any leftover food.

SURROUNDINGS AND ACTIVITIES

Eräratsut offers tailored riding and other tourism services for customers of different ages, always keeping safety in mind. We have horses for everyone from beginners to experienced riders.

• cross-country riding lessons and excursions, also cross-country jumps for more experienced riders
• long treks on weekends
• safari days for groups
• riding camps
• sleigh and carriage rides for pre-booked customers
• riding on a lead rein for young children and riders with special needs
• assistance with therapeutic riding
• hen and stag parties with equestrian activities
• swimming and wading excursions with horses
• ski joring and snowboard joring with horses in winter

The company also offers hoof trimming courses and services for other stables. Visitors can get to know the animals under guidance, for example take part in feeding the horses.

Other tourism services:

• snowshoeing, kick sleighs, fire skating
• recreation days for work organisation and children’s birthday parties
• traditional sauna with wood-burning stove, foot care for riders
• bicycles can be borrowed free of charge from spring till autumn, and a kick sleigh, sledges and a toboggan in winter
• also outdoor toys for children and a paddling pool
• for prebooked visitors, free child care during a trek
• a tourism service package can be tailored to the customer’s preferences (rental bus, minibus or taxi).

Activities in the local area:

• SnowCastle Winter Park in Kemi
• nature and cultural destinations in Simo area (incl. Wanha Simo trail, heritage museums and Post-glacial Rebound Park)
• Museums and exhibitions in Kemi
• National parks: Bothnian Bay National Park and Martimoaapa

DIRECTIONS

Eräratsut is located around 20 km from Simo and 35 km from Kemi. 

• Bus stop: local buses on school days Viantie 2 (14 km), long-distance and express services Simo junction
• Railway station: Kemi around 35 km (if necessary, visitors can be collected from Kemi, Simo and Tornio, and visitors to the horse islands from Rovaniemi in summer)
• Motorists/cyclists: see Google Maps for our location.

OPENING TIMES AND PRICES

• Open: Round the year, advance booking necessary.
• Prices: see the company’s website for the prices of riding and tourism services. Overnight stays in the cabin include half board. Rental of the campervan and combined horse truck in the yard, excluding riding/tourism services EUR 150 (Mon-Fri). Free coffee for ECEAT Finland members and visitors arriving without a motor vehicle.

OUR ACTIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

• solar lights with motion sensors
• 7 ha of traditional rural biotope in Rovaniemi
• nature protection grasslands in Simo
• as few machines as possible are used to work the farm, and the machines are small in size. No chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used.

CULTURAL ACTIONS

• when maintaining buildings, we respect their history
• natural horsemanship is actively promoted on the farm
• landrace animals: Finnish horses and a Lapponian herder

FUTURE

• extension contracts on traditional rural biotope management in 2 years. If the contracts are not renewed, we will increase the area of nature protection grasslands.
• in the future, we will attempt to use horses to visit the nearest shop in Simo.
• we minimise car journeys and prefer car-pooling.
• we buy heritage products of Lapland and produce from local farmers.