Starting Points and Parking Areas for Winter Trails

Vattukuru Snowshoe Trail, 2 km, Circle Trail

Travel time 2‒3 h, at a minimum.
Category: Intermediate trail. Intermediate

The short but varied Vattukuru Snowshoe Trail is suitable for families with children.

Three snowshoers in a wintry forest.

Starting Point

Vattukuru parking area, Syötekyläntie 1638, Pudasjärvi (google.fi).

Koordinaatit: WGS84 - lat: 65° 39.1403' lon: 27° 46.8795'

Hiking Structures
Vattukuru lean-to shelter, a dry toilet, a woodshed.

Trail Description
Vattukuru Snowshoe Trail presents the natural world of Syöte National Park at its best. The trail zigzags in an old-growth forest and passes by a large slope bog. You can take a break at a pleasant lean-to shelter in Vattukuru Ravine.

The trail starts from the Vattukuru parking area. It has been marked in the terrain with yellow trail markings and signposts at the intersections. When snowshoeing clockwise, the first part of the trail consists of an ascent onto a rocky area from where it descends to the bottom of the ravine. After the lean-to shelter in the ravine, the trail ascends for a while and then runs along a level terrain, back to the parking area. 

Please Note
Please note that the snowshoe trail and the rest spot are not maintained in the winter, and after snowstorms, they are covered with snow.

Teerivaaran kierros, 4.5 km, Circle Trail

Available in winter time.
Travel time at least 2 - 3 h.
Category: Demanding trail. Demanding

Teerivaara Snowshoe Trail is an excellent day trip destination for those who like brisk exercise. The large altitude differences make the trail challenging.

A group of snowshoers admiring a view of a wintry forest from Teerivaara snowshoeing trail.

Starting Point

Syöte Visitor Centre, Erätie 1, 93280 Syöte, Pudasjärvi (google.fi).

Koordinaatit: WGS84 - lat: 65° 38.1343' lon: 27° 36.4971'

Hiking Structures

Teerivaara day-use hut, a dry toilet and a woodshed.

Trail Description

Teerivaara trail starts from the Syöte visitor center and is accessible during all seasons. Beginning and end of the trail goes along the same path (500 m) and the circular trail leads across both peaks of Teerivaara hill. The shorter trail along southern slope leads to Teerivaara Day-use Hut and is less challenging when compared to the trail going around northern slopes. The northern part of the trail has some challenging, rocky terrain and plenty of variation in altitude. In summertime the trail acts as a hiking trail and during winter as a snowshoe trail. The trail is marked with yellow trail markings. 

Please Note

Please note that the trail is not maintained in the winter, and after snowstorms, it is covered with snow. 

National Park's Winter Trails

Available in the winter.
Travel time varies.
Category: Intermediate trail. Intermediate - Demanding trail. Demanding

Syöte National Park's winter trails start from Syöte Visitor Centre. The winter trails are suitable for fatbiking, snowshoeing, back country skiing and are suitable for those with some experience in and outdoor activities. The trails are levelled several times a week.

A mountain biker on a winter mountain biking trail.

Starting Point

Syöte Visitor Centre, Erätie 1, 93280 Syöte, Pudasjärvi (google.fi).

Hiking Structures

Annintupa Day-use Hut, Koiratupa Day-use Hut, Välitupa Day-use Hut, Ylpiätupa Day-use Hut, Ahmatupa Open Wilderness Hut, Ahmatupa Rental HutToraslampi Open Wilderness Hut, Rytivaara Rental Hut.

Trail Description

It is practical to set off for the national park's winter trails from Syöte Visitor Centre, where you can buy a printed trail map and obtain up-to-date information on the condition of the trails. The wilderness trails run along the national park's maintenance tracks and they have not been marked in the terrain, except by the intersection of the trails.

From the visitor centre, the winter trail first runs to Annintupa Day-use Hut and continues, along a bridge, across River Pärjänjoki. After a couple of kilometres, the trail branches and you can continue either via Selkävaara to Ahmatupa Hut, or to the Toraslampi Open Wilderness Hut. From the trail, you can pop in to Välitupa Day-use Hut, Ylpiätupa Day-use Hut and Koiratupa Day-use Hut where you can light a campfire.

From week 8 onwards, there is a trail from the Toraslampi Open Wilderness Hut to Rytivaara Crown Tenant Farm.

Trails go also around Iso-Syöte, and to east of Pytkynharju. 

  • Visitor Centre - Ahmatupa - Visitor Centre 18 km
  • Visitor Centre - Toraslampi - Visitor Centre 19 km 
  • Toraslampi - Rytivaara - Raatetupa - Toraslampi 30 km (from week 8 onwards!)
  • Trail around Iso-Syöte 9 km

Please Note

The trails are maintained once a week, at a minimum. After snowstorms, the trails cannot always be maintained quickly. When setting off for a winter excursion, even a short one, take a spare set of clothes, food, hot drinks, as well as a map and a compass with you. You can also walk on the trails with regular shoes, IF walking doesn't damage the trails. 

 

Cross country skiing, more than 100 km

Available in the winter. Travel time varies. 
Category: Intermediate trail. Intermediate - Demanding trail.Helppo reitti. easy

Starting point: Syöte Visitor Centre, Erätie 1, 93280 Syöte, Pudasjärvi (google.fi)

National parks's skiing tracks start from the Syöte visitor centre, but there's plenty of tracks available around the Syöte area. Skiing season starts usually on november - december and later there's about 120 km of maintained tracks. Syötteen latupooli maintains skiing tracks and you can see trail's condition in real time here (in finnish) (fluentprogress.fi). "Kunnostettu" means maintained in finnish. Ask more information from the Syöte visitor centre. 

Starting point

Syöte visitor centre, Erätie 1, 93280 Syöte, Pudasjärvi (google.fi).

Hiking structures

Annintupa Day-use Hut, Koiratupa Day-use Hut, Välitupa Day-use Hut, Ylpiätupa Day-use Hut, Ahmatupa Open Wilderness Hut, Ahmatupa Rental HutToraslampi Open Wilderness Hut

Please Note

Don't walk or cycle on skiing tracks. Trails are maintained as often as possible, but sometimes there can be snow on tracks.