Niku-Naku brings a proper Finnish löyly to the shore of Llyn Tegid in Bala

On the shore of Llyn Tegid, two brothers are on a mission to bring a proper Finnish sauna to North Wales. Niku-Naku, a wood-fired lakeside sauna in Bala, was founded by Antreas and Erannan, Finnish-born brothers who were raised in Ireland.

"As kids, we spent our summers sweating it out in Finland's traditional saunas," they explain. "It was the perfect balance of fresh air, cold lakes, and enough steam to make a kettle jealous." As dads living in the UK, they wanted their own children to experience the same quality of sauna, but found a proper löyly hard to come by.

Löyly is the Finnish word for the steam that rises when water is ladled onto the hot stones, and the brothers describe it as the soul of the sauna. The ritual begins with a cool shower, continues with time in the heat among friends, then a cold plunge outside, and ends with a warm wash. "No gimmicks, just real wood-fired heat and incredible steam," they promise.

The name is a playful Finnish term for naked or stripped back, reflecting their aim of stripping sauna back to the essentials: living well, connecting with people and nature, and enjoying a timeless tradition.

The setting does the rest. Llyn Tegid is the largest natural lake in Wales, in the heart of Eryri National Park, and between sessions bathers can plunge into its clear waters for a refreshing wild swim. Sauna bathing is an all-seasons activity that can be enjoyed in any weather, and the brothers suggest following a session by exploring the market town of Bala, or pairing it with kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking or a workout at Byw'n Iach Penllyn.

Niku-Naku offers public sessions and private bookings, and memberships for regular visitors. The sauna is on Ffordd Pensarn in Bala and is currently open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5.30pm.

For anyone new to sauna, the brothers have a simple message: whether you are a seasoned sauna-goer or just sauna-curious, come and try it the way a native Finn would expect.

Sessions can be booked at niku-naku.com, or by calling 07549 897982.