Arctic Circle Hiking Area Trails

14.7.2021
During a forest fire warning (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi), fire is only allowed at covered campfire sites that have a flue or in fireplaces at huts, but only with extreme caution. The one who lights the fire is always responsible for its safety. Making a fire at campfire sites can be banned locally.
Duckboards through the flowering mire.
Bogbean flowering on Makialampi mire, on Pikkurompa Trail. Image: Juha Paso
An old snag is lying in front of a big stone in the pine forest.
Old growth forest in Könkäänvaara Hill, on Könkäiden polku Trail. Image: Juha Paso
Summer landscape with an old log hay barn on the meadow.
An old barn on Kivalonaapa Meadow Culture Trail. Image: Juha Paso
Red Baneberry with green leafs on the background.
Red Baneberry on Kielosaari Plant and Fungus Trail. Image: Juha Paso
There is a campfire on the fireplace in a snowy forest.
Mid-winter blues on Karhukumpu lean-to. Image: Vesa-Matti Hillberg
Hikers gathered around a campfire in a plank trail rest area.
The lean-to's on Könkäänsaari Accessible Nature Trail are easily reached by many. Image: Juha Paso
A flowing rapid in a sunny summer day with trees growing onshore.
Vaattunkiköngäs rapids. Image: Juha Paso

We recommend in Arctic Circle Hiking Area

The hiker looking at the flowing river. In the background are green trees.

Könkäänsaari Accessible Nature Trail, 1,5 km, circle trail
 

Open throughout the year, duration 1 h
Category: an easy trail , a demanding wheelchair route 
Along the most popular nature trail in the area, you can spot a rich assortment of plant and animal species on the lush river islands.
Könkäänsaari Trail route description
 

Summer landscape with an old log hay barn in the middle of the mire.

Kivalonaapa Meadow Culture Trail, 1,3 km, circle trail (total 5,8-6,3 km)

Open throughout the year, duration 1 h 
Category: an easy trail , a medium level trail  (transition to the beginning of the trail on Könkäiden polku Trail)
Get to know the meadow culture on a cultural heritage destination. 

Kivalonaapa Trail route description

A flowing rapid in a sunny summer day with trees growing onshore.Könkäiden polku Trail, 10 km / direction

Open throughout the year, duration 4 h
Category: a medium level trail  
 
See the two magnificent rapids of the river Raudanjoki, wonderful mire sceneries and the Meadow Culture Trail.
 

Könkäiden polku Trail route description

Other trails

A plank trail rest area with a lean-to shelter and a separate fireplace. River flows on the background.

Vikaköngäs Shore Trail, 200 m / direction
  

When the ground is unfrozen, duration 10 min
Category: an easy trail , an easy wheelchair route 

From this accessible shore trail and jetty, those using a wheelchair can also catch fish.

Vikaköngäs Shore Trail route description

Lily-of-the-valley blooms with the smallest white bellflowers.

Kielosaari Plant and Fungus Trail, 200 m, circle trail, (total 0,9 km)

Open throughout the year, duration 0,5 h
Category: an easy trail 

On this short nature trail, you can enjoy lush vegetation and a rich variety of fungi.

Kielosaari Trail route description

 

Duckboards through the mire.

Mire Trail, 7 km, circle trail, (total 9 km)

Open throughout the year, duration 2 h
Category: an easy trail 

Experience the versatile Vianaapa nature with its poor fens, pine mires and spruce mires.

Mire Trail route description

Wooden signs leading to Vaattunkiköngäs and Konkäänvaara.

Könkäänvaara Trail, 2,7 km / direction

Open throughout the year, duration 1 h
Category: a medium level trail 

Splendid views from the top of Könkäänvaara hill. 
 

Könkäänvaara Trail route description

Sortovaara resting place. A Woodshed in the background.

Pikkurompa Trail, 4,5 km, circle trail

Open throughout the year, duration 2 h
Category: a medium level trail 
 
Admire the old-growth forests of Sortovaara hill and walk trough an aapa mire.
 

Pikkurompa Trail route description

An old snag is lying in front of a big stone in the pine forest.

Vaattunkivaara Nature Trail, 4 km, circle trail

Open throughout the year, duration 1,5 h
Category: a medium level trail  
 
Admire the views from the observation tower in the middle of old pine forests.
 

Vaattunkivaara Nature Trail route description

 

Green and red leaves on the duckboards.

Olkkajärvi Hiking Trail, 12 km / direction

When the ground is unfrozen, duration 5 h
Category: a demanding trail 

Enjoy a feel of the wilderness and wonderful sceneries from Rantakivalot and Korvavaara hills.

 

Olkkajärvi Hiking Trail route description

Rafters ride in inflatable boat down the rapids.

Canoeing route Kalliosalmi Sound - Lake Olkkajärvi, 62 km / direction

When the ground is unfrozen, duration 2-3 days
 
Experience over 60 km of lake and river sceneries.
 

Canoeing route description