Known as the Northern Lights, this spectacle is an awe-inspiring moment that is likely to be the most unforgettable part of any Norwegian cruise.

One of the best places to view the Northern Lights from is the North Cape in the county of Finnmark, which harbours an impressive cliff that is between 500 and 600 million years ago and rises more than 300 metres above sea level.

The area boasts some amazing sea views thanks to its position, so if you don't get to see the Northern Lights – which are best sighted in the late autumn, winter and early spring, ideally in October, February or March – you can still delight in the local scenery.

Visitors to the North Cape will find much to occupy them both within this part of Finnmark and elsewhere in the county.

You could go on a bird safari, visit a fishing village or take in the views from Knivskjelodden, the northernmost part of the region.

Elsewhere in Finnmark, there are five national parks to explore, each offering a unique experience.

For example, you could visit Seiland to see two of Scandinavia's northernmost glaciers, or go to Stabbursdalen to immerse yourself in the most northerly pine forest in the world.

You may also want to take in northern Europe's biggest canyon, or perhaps explore the culture of the local Sami people at the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau.

Here you will also be able to indulge in summer and autumn activities such as hiking and winter pursuits like dog sledging, snowmobile safaris and cross-country skiing.

Other popular cruise stops around Norway include Bergen – the gateway to the country's famous fjords – as well as the historic Viking city of Trondheim, the picturesque mountain town of Tromso and Hammerfest, the northernmost town in the world.

Whether you choose to sample each of these in turn on a normal cruise or make them part of a longer cruise holiday stay in the region, you're likely to have a memorable break during your time in Norway.

What Are The Northern Lights?

The northern lights, or aurora Borealis, are natural a phenomenon; undulating stripes or shafts of light over the clear dark sky. They can be purple, red, green or yellow but primarily, in Ruka and this area of Lapland, they are green and yellow, an eerie and awe striking sight, as they dance across the dark sky.

What Causes Them?

They are caused by gas emissions from the sun that are pulled into the Earth's gravity. There, they react with the Earth's magnetic field, causing the unusual colours of light. Ordinarily the gas takes around 3 days to travel to us from the sun, making it possible for scientists and aurora gazers to predict the next sighting.

When Can You See Them?

In Ruka and Kuusamo, Lapland, you can see them frequently between October and March, with the best months being January and February. Unless they are particularly strong occurrences you will need to move away from areas of electric light which can mean simply turning your cabin light off and going outside or moving to a dark area away from street lights.

The Right Conditions

They can occur at any time of the day or night but in order to see them the conditions need to be right. The sky must be dark and clear, and, for some reason, they are seen more often when the temperature is very cold, -20C and colder. The official thoughts on the best time of day are between 11pm to 2am, however I often see them on my farm near Ruka in the early evening around 7 or 8pm.

Northern Lights Forecast

The best website I have found for forecasting the northern lights is the Geographical Institute of Alaska which will show you both long and short term forecasts as well as the expected strength and times of the aurora.

Northern Light Excursions in Ruka and Kuusamo

There are several excursion companies in Ruka and Kuusamo that run northern lights trips. Usually setting off around 6pm, these trips take you by snowmobile and sled, through the frozen forests to open areas or the tops of hills to witness the awe inspiring sight that is the Aurora Borealis. Undulating shafts of green light dancing through the star covered sky.

Of course, aurora gazing is just one of many things to do in Ruka and Kuusamo during the winter months which offer everything from skiing and snowboarding, to go-cart racing on ice and husky dog sledding.