Customer Service and Guidance

Services Offered by Enterprises and Organisations in the Strict Nature Reserve

Meals, Where to Buy and Prepare

Shops and Cafés

  • The nearest shops and cafés are in the villages of Karigasniemi and Utsjoki.

A woman rests on the ground with a backpack under her head, next to it is food being prepared with a camping stove. She is barefoot.

Campfire Sites

  • There are 15 designated campfire sites in the strict nature reserve. They are located at a couple of kilometres distance of each other, near water. Lighting open fire is only allowed at these campfire sites. Please note that lighting campires is forbidden also at these designated campfire sites if the wildfire warning is in effect.

Drinking Water

  • Running water in the area is suitable for drinking, but near campfire sites and huts it is recommended to boil or filter the water before drinking.

Waste Management

  • There are no waste-bins in the Kevo strict nature reserve area. Measures should be taken in advance to avoid taking unnecessary waste into the area. 
  • There are recycling points at the both ends of Kevo Hiking Trail at the parking area.
  • Biodegradable waste should be placed in a toilet or composter, and small amounts of clean paper and cardboard can be used as kindling in a campfire. Add a cupful of bulking material into the toilet every time you use it.
  • Read more about Hiking without Littering.

Toilets

There are dry toilets at all the open wilderness huts and campfire sites, with bins for sanitary products. Add a cupful of bulking material into the toilet every time you use it.

A flowing stream over which runs a wire with orange ropes hanging. On the other shore is a birch tree with a steep rock wall behind it.

River Crossing

The River Kevojoki is crossed three times along the Kevo Trail. At the wading places, there are wire ropes to aid hikers in wading across.

Overnight Stays

Camping and Lean-to Shelters

  • Camping is only allowed at designated places. There are nine camping sites inside the strict nature reserve and outside, along the trails, there are four more. It is not allowed to take supporting poles or other wood from the area.
  • There is a lean-to shelter on the grounds of the open wilderness hut at the Lake Ruktajávri. This is meant to provide shelter during bad weather, not for overnight stays.
  • At Suohppášája and Gamajotnsuohppasaja, there are Campfire huts where hikers can find shelter in bad weather. These Campfire huts are meant for day use only.
  • In Paistunturi Wilderness Area, next to the strict nature reserve, hikers are free to choose their own camping place.

In front is a clear path next to which a tent has been kept.

Open Wilderness Huts

In an open wilderness hut, hikers can stay for a night or two. More information about huts you find on the Huts page.

Along the Kevo Trail and the Guivi Trail, there are three open wilderness huts. Only the open wilderness huts of Guivi and the River Mádjohka are located inside the strict nature reserve.

  • Ruktajávri Open Wilderness Hut is located in the southwestern part of the strict nature reserve, on the northeastern side of the Lake Stuorrajärvi (one of the Lakes Luomusjärvet), on the northeastern shore of the Lake Ruktajávri which is located north of Luomusharju Ridge.
  • Njávgoaivi Open Wilderness Hut is located in a small birch forest, west of Kevo Strict Nature Reserve, on the northwestern side of the Njavgoroáivi Fell (Nauguvaara) which is 6 km north of the Lakes Luomusjärvet.
  • Guivi Open Wilderness Hut is located on the northern side of the northern branch of the River Kamajoki, about half a kilometre west of the confluence of the two brances, on the foot of Guivi Fell, on its eastern-southeastern side.
  • Mádjohka Open Wilderness Hut is located in the northern part of the strict nature reserve, on the eastern bank of the River Davimuš Mádjjohsuorg (one of the outlets of the River Mádjohka), where Borgebeaskaavd Brook joins it.

Turf Huts

  • Akukammi Turf Hut is located along the marked trail between Njávgoaivi and Guivi, just outside of the boundary of the nature reserve. The turf hut was renovated in 2007, and there is room for about 4 - 6 people.
  • Fiellu Turf Hut is located at the confluence of the Rivers Fiellogeađgejohka and Kevojoki, on the northern bank of Fiellu. There are no bunks, only tables and bences. It provides shelter from the weather, and it is meant for day use, not for overnight stays.
  • Njaggaljavri Turf Hut is located in the northern end of the middlemost Lake Njaggaljärvi. It is an old fishermen's hut with a fireplace in the middle and a couple of bences. It was renovated in 1980. It provides shelter from the weather, and it is meant for day use, not for overnight stays.

A turf hut with a wooden door in front of a mire. A backpack is standing on the ground in front of the hut.

Lodging in the Surrounding Area

Holiday Cottages

  • In Karigasniemi and Kaamasmukka, there are holiday cottages and saunas.

Camping Grounds

Services for Caravan Tourists

  • At Utsjoki and Karigasniemi

Saunas

Wooden stairs leading up a tree-covered fell slope.

Accessible Services

  • There are no accessible services in the area.

Other Services in the Surrounding Area

  • The nearest shops, petrol stations, post office services and taxis are in the villages of Utsjoki and Karigasniemi.
  • Please note that there is no ATM in the area of Utsjoki.
  • The food shops in the surrounding areas have medicine cupboards.
  • There is a health centre in the village of Utsjoki, and a health clinic in the village of Karigasniemi.
  • Taxi drivers can also provide car relocation service, as well as may the companies which offer services for tourists. 
  • There are plenty of accommodation services, the nearest hotel is in Utsjoki  (utsjoki.fi, in Finnish).

Check for Warnings

When wildfire warnings (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) are in effect, fire is only allowed at covered campfire sites that have a flue. A fire can be also lit in fireplaces at wilderness and other huts. Always use extreme caution when handling fire. The one who lights a fire is always responsible for its safe use. Please note, that making fire at these campfire sites can be banned locally. 

Drawing of a fireplace. The drawing shows the roof, the flue and off the ground.

Kevo Trail Camping

From North to South:
(overnight stays)

Silkeája (2,5 km)
Guoikgáhritája (3,5 km)
Beahcelávojávrrit (5 km)
Njaggaleapme (8 km)
Gamajotnsuohpášája (4,5 km)
Roajášjávri (9,5 km)
Fiellogahjohka (6,5 km)
Suohpášája (11,5 km)
Ruktajávri at (10 km)
Luopmošjohka (2 km)

 

Kuivi Trail Camping

Trail Sections Sulaoja - Guivi - Sulaoja

Luopmošjohka (2 km)
Ruktajávri (10 km)
Njávgoaivi (6 km)
Áhkojoga gámme (7,5 km)
Kuivi open wilderness hut (10 km)
Fiellogahjohka (13 km)
Suohpášája (6,5 km)
Ruktajávri (11,5 km)
Luopmošjohka (10 km)
Suttesája (2 km)