Käsivarsi Wilderness Area Directions and Maps
1.10.2020
Because of the coronavirus, safe distances should be kept even in nature, and thorough hand hygiene should be followed at huts, campfire sites and after using the toilet. Metsähallitus' policies and guidelines will be updated as the general corona guidelines become more specific. Check our website for the current situation: www.nationalparks.fi/coronavirusguidelines.
Directions
Käsivarsi Wilderness Area is located on the east side of the Kilpisjärvi-Karesuvanto road. To its north and to its east the wilderness area's boundary runs along the Norwegian border.
By Public Transportation
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There are coaches (matkahuolto.fi) from Rovaniemi daily to Kilpisjärvi.
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Kittilä airport (finavia.fi) functions throughout the year on a daily basis. A connecting coach or airport taxi (tosilappi.fi) service transport visitors on from Kittilä.
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The closest railway stations (vr.fi) are located at Kolari and Rovaniemi. Night trains from Helsinki travel to both.
By Car
Main road 21 (E8) runs along the western boundary of the wilderness area. A good point to start excursions is the village of Kilpisjärvi.
- Driving directions to Fell Lapland Visitor Centre.
- Driving directions to Kilpisjärvi Visitor Centre
Starting Points for Excursions
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The best starting points for those arriving with cars are at the parking areas at Ropinsalmi, Saarikoski, Kilpisjärvi and Iitto.
Maps
- Excursionmap.fi of Metsähallitus
Other Maps
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Halti, Kilpisjärvi, Pältsa, waterproof map, 1:50 000. Calazo Förlag 2015. The map is sold by Kilpisjärvi Visitor Centre, Fell Lapland VisitorCentre and some private enterprises in the village of Kilpisjärvi.
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Kaaresuvanto Lätäseno Ropinsalmi Waterproof topographic map, 1:50 000, Karttakeskus 2017. Map is sold by Karttakeskus and well-stocked bookstores.
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Outdoor GT Northern Finland, 2016, 1:400 000. The maps are sold by Karttakeskus and well-stocked bookstores.
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Halti Kilpisjärvi waterproof outdoor map, 1:50 000. Karttakeskus 2019. The nearest map sales points are Kilpisjärvi Visitor Centre and Fell Lapland Visitor Centre.
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Route Map of Kilpisjärvi (winter), 2010. The map is sold by Kilpisjärvi Visitor Centre, Fell Lapland Visitor Centre. You may print the map here (julkaisut.metsa.fi).
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Route Map of Kilpisjärvi (summer), 2010. The map is sold by Kilpisjärvi Visitor Centre, Fell Lapland Visitor Centre. You may print the map here (julkaisut.metsa.fi).
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Ropi Kalkkoaivi Munnikurkkio Waterproof Topographic Map, 1:50 000. Karttakeskus 2017. Map is sold by Karttakeskus and well-stocked bookstores.
Map Sales Points
Parking Areas
- Käsivarrentie 14123 (road 21, E8), Kilpisjärvi
- Käsivarrentie 11194 (road 21, E8), Saarikoski
- Käsivarrentie 9912 (road 21, E8), Iitto
- Käsivarrentie 8835 (road 21, E8), Ropinsalmi
Publications of Käsivarsi Area
Publications of Käsivarsi Area (julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Old photos
Other Publications
- Crossbill Guides 2010: Finnish Lapland including Kuusamo (crossbillguides.com)
KNNV Publishing,
GVO/Ponsen en Looijen, Ede. 223 pages