Hikers encounter friendly reindeer named Penaksi on Hetta-Pallas trail in Northern Finland

During a recent hike in Northern Finland along the Hetta-Pallas trail, hikers Viivi Juutila and Maia Helisten encountered an unexpected companion: a reindeer. The animal joined them for approximately 20 kilometers during their journey from Pyhäkerok to Pahakuru.

The reindeer first appeared near a café at Pyhäkerok. According to Helisten, the café owner mentioned a friendly reindeer that sometimes wanders nearby and asked if they had seen it. The two friends affectionately named the reindeer “Penaksi.” Throughout the hike, the reindeer alternated between leading the way and walking beside them until they reached Pahakuru, where they planned to spend the night in a cabin.

“Then it settled down to sleep outside our cabin. Even at night, we could see its collar glowing in the dark with our headlamps. By morning, it had continued on its way,” Juutila said.

This encounter was new for both hikers. Juutila noted that the presence of the reindeer caused some surprise among other hikers and nearby reindeer. Initially, they were a bit intimidated by the animal’s large antlers but refrained from feeding or touching it, treating it as a wild animal despite its friendly demeanor.

The friends expressed a desire to learn more about Penaksi’s story but acknowledged it might remain a mystery. “We would like to know who the owner of this reindeer is and if anyone else has had a similar experience. It’s incredible how a wild animal trusts humans. Is this just our unique experience, or does it happen to others on these trails?” Juutila pondered.