Ruijanpolku Trail 35 km / Direction
Available only when there is no snow. The Trail is marked with an old wooden poles and green poles and hiking is only permitted on marked trail in Sompio strict nature reserve. The route requires moderate navigation and wilderness skills.
Travel time: 2 days.
Some of the trail runs in Urho Kekkonen National Park, some in the Sompio Strict Nature Reserve, and the northernmost section runs outside the protected areas from Kiilopää road to Laanila. Route description on the routes page of Sompio Strict Nature Reserve.
Old Track of Luirojärvi, 70-80 km
Available all year round, in summer by walking and in winter by skiing. This route is average difficulty in terms of terrain conditions. Track is a no marked route. It’s really important that you know how to use map and a compass!
Travel time: 4-6 days.
Starting point
Kiilopää entrance gate (excursionmap.fi): Adress: Suomen Latu Kiilopää, Kiilopääntie 620, 99830 Saariselkä (Inari). Coordinates: Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 68° 20.7943' lon: 27° 27.7020' ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7581576 E: 519012
Hiking Structures
- Niilanpää Day-use Hut, dry toilet, campfire site and firewood shed.
- Suomunruoktu Open and Reservable Wilderness Hut, dry toilet, campfire site and firewood shed.
- Salonlampi lean-to shelter, campfire site and firewood shed.
- Tuiskukuru Open and Reservable Wilderness Hut, dry toilet, campfire site and firewood shed.
- Luirojärvi Open and Reservable Wilderness Hut, dry toilet, campfire site and firewood shed.
- Kuuselankämppä Rental Hut, dry toilet, campfire site and firewood shed.
- Rajankämppä Open Wilderness Hut, dry toilet, campfire site and firewood shed.
- There is also reservable sauna by the Luirojärvi lake.
- Lankojärvi Open and Reservable Wilderness Hut, dry toilet, campfire site and firewood shed.
- Rautulampi Day Hut, Open and Reservable Wilderness Hut, dry toilet, campfire site and firewood shed.
- There are bridges across the Suomujoki River at Aitaoja and Kotaköngäs.
Sights
Niilanpää reindeer fence, open fell views, Nattastunturit Fells and Kotaköngäs rapid.
Route Description
Kiilopää-Sumunruoktu, 14 km. The hiking trail starts from the yard of the Kiilopää Fell Centre. The early part of the trail passes along the marked Rautulampi Trail until it reaches the Niilanpää reindeer fence where is Niilanpää Day-use Hut. Follow the marked route for only the first 5.5 km. After the reindeer fence, head to the unmarked trail almost straight towards the south.
Once you have left the marked trail at Rautulampi, continue for close to 4 km until you arrive at an intersection of two trails. The Suomunlatva lean-to shelter is located about 200 metres from the junction where you can stop to rest. If you don’t want to stop at the lean-to shelter, the journey continues towards the south-east with approximately 4.5 km from this junction to the Suomunruoktu Open and Reservable Wilderness Huts. The trail is rocky in places.
After the fell tops, the trail follows the River Suomujoki along dry pine heaths. The trail is wide and easy to see. Crossing the Suomujoki river by the hut is easy.
Suomunruoktu–Tuiskukuru, 13 km. From the Suomunruoktu hut the trail continues further downstream of the Suomujoki river. There is bridge by river Suomuojoki at Aitaoja. After crossing the bridge on the Aitaoja, head towards Vintilätunturi. From the heads of Harrihaara, head towards Tuiskukuru.
An alternative route passes by the ponds of the Suomujoki River. On shore of pond Salonlampi you find a lean to shelter.
After passing the ponds, follow the Vintiläoja stream to the fell birch stands on the south side of the Pikkutunturi Fell, from where you will descend to Tuiskukuru. There is a open and reservable wilderness hut in Tuiskukuru. This route option runs north of the Vintilätunturi Fell.
The fell slopes clearly show Ice Age glacier channels which lead the visitor towards the large, wild mire areas in Sompio that open up in the south. The mysterious Nattanen Fells rise in the southwest.
Tuiskukuru–Luirojärvi, 8 km. From the Tuiskukuru hut the trip continues to Lake Luirojärvi, amidst impressive pine stands and fell birch stands on the south side of Ampupäät. The trail leads directly to the shore of the River Luirojoki where you will find a wading point marked on the map. There are also other paths between Tuiskukuru and Luirojärvi.
During normal water conditions, you can cross the river at the wading point wearing ordinary tall rubber boots. Take special care when wading during flooding. It is a good idea to bring some kind of wading shoes for river crossings so that the sharp stones on the bottom of the river don’t hurt your bare feet.
Luirojärvi. There are several huts at Lake Luirojärvi where you can spend the night. There is also reservable sauna by the lake. The dilapidated Raappana hut is located on the north-eastern shore of Lake Luirojärvi. It is no longer used for accommodation.
Sokosti. Next to the lake Luirojärvi you see the Sokosti fell (718 m a.s.l), the highest fell in the Urho Kekkonen National Park. It´s worth to stay one more day in Luirojärvi, hope a bright day and climb up to Sokosti fell.
At the top of Sokosti Fell is Cellular Tower for cellular coverage in the National Park. Mobile phone coverage is still only available in the highest areas. There is always a change of a dysfunction and it takes time to repair it in the wilderness area.
Luirojärvi–Lankojärvi, 19 km. There is a trail from the western shore of Lake Luirojärvi to Lake Lankojärvi. Between Vasanlyömäpäät and Joukhaispää, the trail continues towards the Suomujoki River. The second route passes via Ampuoja and continues between the Ampupäät and the Vasanlyömäpäät hills towards Kaavitsalampi, after which it soon joins the first route option. From around the Kaavitsanlampi Pond, the trail continues as one path south of the River Palovanganjoki.
The bridge at the Palovanganjoki River near Suomujoki was demolished in spring 2019. You can cross the Palovanganjoki River about 250 m upstream, where in normal conditions the water is lower than the knee. After this, continue downstream the Suomujoki River. The Saariselkä - Sokosti map shows the wading spots before the Lankojärvi Lake. During flooding, it is advisable to avoid wading and, for your own safety, first walk upstream the Suomujoki River and cross the river across the Kotaköngäs bridge. From Kotaköngäs to Lankojärvi hut, the distance is approximately 5 km, from wading points about 1 km.
Lankojärvi–Rautulampi, 8 km. There is a clear trail from Lake Lankojärvi, along the Rautuoja stream, westwards to the Rautulampi. The landscape is mostly forest.
Rautulampi–Niilanpää–Kiilopää, 11 km. There is a trail marked with crosses through a wide-open fell area from Rautulampi to Kiilopää. Route passes Niilanpää day-use hut.
Please Note
This route is average difficulty in terms of terrain conditions. Track is a no marked route. It’s important that you know how to use map and a compass!
Phone coverage in Urho Kekkonen national park remote area is limited - assume that calling or using the internet is not possible. In areas of limited phone coverage and/or at cold weather also the phone battery may run significantly faster. Please get acquainted with the instructions and rules for hiking in the national park and for preparing for a hike.
Aittajärvi – Luirojärvi – (Sokosti) – Muorravaarakka – Sarvijoki (Sudenpesä) - Aittajärvi, 60-80 km, Circle Trail
Deep in the heart of the wilderness, in the middle of beautiful fell area.
A loop for snow-free season. The trail is not marked in the terrain but hikers here must have orienteering skills. The trail requires good map reading skills and previous hiking experience. Paths used by hikers have been formed in the terrain, and clear trails that are visible in the terrain can also be seen in hiking maps. Feel the atmosphere of the wilderness and see many of the impressive nature sites in Urho Kekkonen National Park on this trail.
Travel times: Depending on your fitness and interest, 4-6 days.
Starting point
Aittajärvi parking area (excursionmap.fi), Urho Kekkonen National Park. Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 68° 23.626' lon: 28° 03.859', ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7587145 m I: 543735 m.
Hiking Structures
- Aittajärvi lean-to shelter, campfire site, dry toilet, and woodshed.
- Sudenpesä Rental Turf Hut, campfire site, dry toilet, and woodshed.
- Sarvijoki Open and Reservable Wilderness Hut, campfire site, dry toilet, and woodshed.
- Pälkkimäoja lean-to shelter, campfire site, dry toilet and woodshed.
- There's an iron bridge over the Sokostinoja River.
- Luirojärvi Open and Reservable Wilderness Hut, Rajankämppä Open Wilderness Hut, Kuuselankämppä Rental Wilderness Hut and reservable sauna are in the northeastern shore of Luirojärvi lake. Campfire sites, dry toilets, and woodsheds.
- Muorravaarakka Open and Reservable Wildeness Hut, campfire site, dry toilet, and woodshed.
- Muorravaarakanruoktu Rental Turf Hut, campfire site, dry toilet, and woodshed.
Sights
Sokosti, Lumikuru, Pirunportti ja Paratiisikuru. See the uniqueness of the fell nature.
Hiking Structures
Route markings: This route is average difficulty in terms of terrain conditions. Track is a no marked route. It’s important that you know how to use map and a compass!
The drive by car from Highway 4 to Aittajärvi is 36 km from Kuutuantie. The forest road to Lake Aittajärvi starts 13 km north of Saariselkä. Turn east from Highway 4; the sign reads Kuutuantie. The road is only accessible in snow-free conditions and is in poor condition in some places. The distance from road number 4 to Lake Aittajärvi is 36 km and takes about one hour of driving. There is a parking area on the border of the park.
Crossing the Suomujoki River at the wading point. From Lake Aittajärvi parking area, go about 300 metres to the shore of the River Suomujoki and another 300 m further along the riverbank to the river crossing point. The river is crossed by wading. The wading point is easily visible in the terrain and marked on the hiking maps. Orange-coloured stepping stones have been installed at the bottom of the river to indicate a good wading route. The lowest point of the river is in the middle by the island, the deepest parts are in the immediate vicinity of the shore. The river cannot be crossed by wading during severe flooding. The nearest bridge is 7 km upstream the Suomujoki River.
Aittajärvi - Luirojärvi 23 km (Aittajärvi - Sarviojoki 14 km).
After crossing the Suomujoki River, the trail continues southwards following the Maantiekurunoja River. Approximately 1 km from the wading point on the shore of Lake Kotajärvi in Helander, you can find a museum ruin, where past visitors include Elias Lönnrot and M. A. Castrén on Christmas 1841. Continue for approximately 2.5 km from here until you reach the reindeer barrier fence. Make sure to close the gate on the trail.
In the most rocky parts of the fell slope, the trail does not stand out in the terrain, but the direction is southwards towards Lake Luirojärvi. After crossing the Pälkkimäoja River, it is best to go around the approaching rocky wetland and rather go along the trail on the Apujoukkojenvaara Hill side. Approximately 1.6 km from the Pälkkimäoja lean-to shelter, the trail passes through the herding site of the Lappi reindeer herding cooperative. The herding site has a few locked huts that are used by reindeer herders. At the herding site, the path branches. During the summer, it is better to choose the eastern trail that runs on the Apujoukkojenvaara Fell side, as the route there is dryer. The distance from the herding site to Luirojärvi is approximately 5 km.
If you do not want to hike the whole 23 kilometres from Aittajärvi to Luirojärvi in one day, you can stay overnight in the Sudenpesä Rental Turf Hut, Sarvijoki Open / Reservable Wilderness Huts or tent. In that case, the distance from Aittajärvi to Sarvijoki in one day is approximately 13 km.
The trail leading to the Sudenpesä hut and Sarvioja hut divert northeast from Maantiekuru at the shoulder of Kaarnepää. The distance from the junction to Sudenpesä hut is approx. 3 km. The Sarvijoki Open/Reservable Wilderness Hut is located one kilometre further. The next morning, return to the trail following Maantiekuru. The distance from Sudenpesä hut to Luirojärvi is approximately 16 km.
Lake Luirojärvi and climbing the Sokosti Fell. There are several huts in Luirojärvi: Rajankämppä, Luirojärvi (also called Hiltton) and Kuuselankämppä. You can camp at designated sites in the vicinity of Luirojärvi.
We recommend that you spend two nights in Luirojärvi and take a day trip to the top of Sokosti Fell. Sokosti is the highest fell in Urho Kekkonen National Park. The distance from the shore of Lake Luirojärvi to the top of Sokosti is about 5 km. The trail starts from the shore of Lake Luirojärvi and you can also see it on the map. The trail has not formed near the peak in the rocky area. In bright weather, the Sokosti mast can be seen far away. There is a locked service building at the base of the mast. It is a mast of the teleoperator Telia; you can check the coverage of your mobile phone from your operator. Hikers should know that sometimes the mast’s function is interrupted and it may take a few days to fix the problem.
Luirojärvi - Muorravaarakka, 15 km. From Luirojärvi to Muorravaarakka, the trail first continues north to the Pälkkimäoja lean-to shelter. The trails runs mainly in fell landscapes. From the lean-to shelter, the journey continues to the valley following the Pälkkimäoja River. The trail then rises south of the Lumipää Fell up the slope and descends down to the Lumikuru gorge. At the highest point, the path is not visible in the rocky field.
Lumikuru is a spectacular natural attraction between Lumipää and Ukselmapää fells. Under the steep wall of the Lumikuru gorge, snow might not melt even in the summer which has also granted the gorge its Finnish name (Lumikuru, Engl. Snow Gorge). Stop by the clear-water stream running down to the bottom of Lumikuru and admire the park-like huddles of white mountain birch, morasses surrounded by mosses and ferns, and lush meadow patches. Lumikuru is also home to some old rowan trees that continue to bravely grow slanted on the slope. Camping and making a fire are not allowed in Lumikuru. In winter, there is an avalanche hazard in Lumikuru.
The trail following the Lumikurunoja River leads to the banks of the Muorravaarakkajoki River. On the other side of the river, you can see the Muorravaarakanruoktu and Muorravaarakka open/reservable huts. The river is crossed by the huts by wading. Always exercise special caution when crossing the river. The water level in the Muorravaarakka River rises rapidly during heavy rainfall and spring floods. When the water is high, it is best to look for a better crossing point upstream.
Muorravaarakka – Sarvijoki, 10 km. The distance from Muorravaarakka to Sarvijoki is 10 km. The hike runs through beautiful fell terrain, where climbing the magnificent fell slopes brings its own challenge to the hike. Along the trail, you can spot grand patches of mountain birch, clear streams, ponds fringed by ferns, and bare rocky fields. On this section, hikers get to see and experience the impressive natural sites of Urho Kekkonen National Park including Pirunportti, Ukselmakuru and Paratiisikuru gorges.
The hike begins with the crossing of the Muorravaarakkajoki River. Take the same path as the day before towards Lumikuru. After less than a kilometre, the trail starts to rise to the northwest towards the Pirunportti Gorge. The distance from the intersection of the trails to Pirunportti is about 2.5 km. Pirunportti is a steep-walled ravine shaped by the Ice Age, a magnificent natural attraction. In Pirunportti, snow can last long into the summer. In winter, there is an avalanche hazard in Pirunportti.
After Pirunportti, the trail starts rising from the slope of the Ukselmapää Fell and descends steeply to the Paratiisikuru Gorge. Paratiisikuru is said to be one of the most beautiful places in Urho Kekkonen National Park. The ravine has two clear-water ponds and a waterfall at its southern end. The vegetation in Paratiisikuru is lush with lady ferns fringing the pond. You might feel tempted to spend a little longer admiring this unique nature site, but staying overnight, campfires and camping there are prohibited.
The trail between the Paratiisikuru ponds turns northwest after a smaller pond, towards the Sarvijoki hut and the Sudenpesä hut. The lower trail runs immediately along the shores of the top branch of the Sarvijoki River, and the upper trail runs slightly higher on the dryer fell slope. Both trails lead to the Sarvijoki hut, where you cross the river by wading.
Sarvijoki - Aittajärvi, 13 km. From Sarvijoki / Sudenpesä hut, you return to the Maantiekuru Trail and take it back to Lake Aittajärvi. If you do not want to follow the same path as before and trust your navigation skills, you can take the route through the tops of Kaarnepää and Kuotmuttipää. In that case, climb north from the Sarvijoki hut or Sudenpesä hut, up the steep, forested slope of Kaarnepää to the fell. From there, continue the hike through the tops of Kaarnepää and Kuotmuttipää in the open landscape. From the top of the fell, you should descend again to the Maantiekurunoja trail before the reindeer fence. There is a gate on the trail. The rest, about 4 km, runs along the familiar path towards Lake Aittajärvi.
Please Note
The trail is not marked in the terrain. It’s very important that you know how to use map and a compass!
Phone coverage in Urho Kekkonen national park remote area is limited - assume that calling or using the internet is not possible. In areas of limited phone coverage and/or at cold weather also the phone battery may run significantly faster. Please get acquainted with the instructions and rules for hiking in the national park and for preparing for a hike.
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Nuortti Hiking Trail, 40 km, circle trail
When there is no snow on the ground. Due to the trail length, the river wading and the remote location the trail is classified as demanding. The river is crossed twice along the trail.
Travel time: 2-4 days.
Starting point
Haukijärvenoja parking area (excursionmap.fi), where hikers can leave their vehicles and visit the guide shelter. The road between Tulppio-Haukijärvenoja is not maintained in winter.
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 51.5370' lon: 29° 11.2806', ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7528766 m E: 592009 m.
Hirvashauta parking area (excursionmap.fi), nearby a reindeer fence which crosses the road. Early on the hiking trail turns away from the old reindeer fence and the small trail which follows the fence. The road between Tulppio-Hirvashauta parking area is not maintained in winter.
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 52.9142' lon: 29° 17.4282' ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7531479 m E: 596222 m.
Hiking Structures
- Hirvashauta Open and Reservable Wilderness Hut, campfire site, dry toilet, and woodshed.
- Saiho Open Wilderness Hut, campfire site, dry toilet, and woodshed.
- Kärekeoja Open and Reservable Wilderness Hut, campfire site, dry toilet, and woodshed.
- Mettopalo Open Wilderness Hut, campfire site, dry toilet, and woodshed.
- Karhuoja Open Wilderness hut and sauna are about 2.5 km away from the hiking trail. Karhuoja reservable wilderness hut has been closed 1.6.2020.
- There are numerous campfire sites, lean-to shelters, and campfire huts along the trail and Nuorttijoki river. The locations of the structures are marked on the outdoor maps.
- The Kolsankoski suspension bridge is in the immediate vicinity of the border zone and crosses the Nuorttijoki River.
- From Kärekeoja hut, a wading cable is installed upstream of the Nuorttijoki River during the summer season. Typically, the cable is installed after mid-June and removed in mid-October.
Sights
Route Description
Route markings: The trail is marked with orange dots.
The trail along the southern bank of the river Nuorttijoki, 16 km. A good starting point for hikes is at Haukijärvenoja parking area (about 93 km from Savukoski), where hikers can park their vehicles and check the information boards. Hikers can get straight from the parking area onto the marked trail. The next rest spot on the trail is Hirvashauta open and reservable wilderness hut from where the trail continues to Saiho open wilderness hut. Near the border zone hikers can cross the river by hanging bridge at Kolsankoski, where the trail turns to head back towards it starting point. During floods we recommend that visitors hike along the south bank of the river towards the border zone and return along the same route.
The trail along the northern bank of the river Nuorttijoki, 24 km. On the north side of the river Nuorttijoki the hiking trail leads through forests to Kummalehdonoja campfire site. From the campfire site onward the trail travels closer to the river. Mettopalo open wilderness hut as well as Kärekeoja open and reservable wilderness hut are good places to either rest for a while at or stay at overnight.
The river Nuorttijoki can be waded across near Kärekeoja open and reservable wilderness hut at Haukiniva when waters are low. A wading cable is hung over the river in summer season to assist hikers while crossing. Remember to contact Urho Kekkonen National Park Customer Service in advance for the latest information about water levels in the area. The wading cable is removed for the winter.
Nuortti Hiking Trail can also be travelled in the opposite direction, meaning that hikers follow the river Nuorttijoki's northern bank first.
Please Note
For fishing in Nuorttijoki river the fishing permit Nuorttijoki 3550 is needed (eraluvat.fi). In the Urho Kekkonen national park area the fishing season at Nuorttijoki river is 1.6.–31.8. In addition to the regional fishing permit, fishers must also have paid the fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi).
Nuortti hiking trail is situated next to the national border zone. Using a drone in Nuorttijoki area requires a flight permit application (aviamaps.com).
Phone coverage in Urho Kekkonen national park remote area is limited - assume that calling or using the internet is not possible. In areas of limited phone coverage and/or at cold weather also the phone battery may run significantly faster. Please get acquainted with the instructions and rules for hiking in the national park and for preparing for a hike.
Kemihaara-Korvatunturinmurusta Trail, 20 km / each way
The trail leading to Korvatunturinmurusta is a so-called tourist service route where tourism companies can organise ski tours supported by snowmobiles by permit and transport customers on sleds pulled by snowmobiles.
Available only when there is no snow.
Travel time: 2-4 days.
Starting point
Kemihaara, 98800 Savukoski (excursionmap.fi). Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 57.751', lon: 28° 57.291'. ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7539980 m, I: 581842 m.
Hiking Structures
- Vierhiharju Open Wilderness Hut, campfire site, dry toilet, woodshed, and sauna.
- Rakitsanoja Open Turf Hut, campfire site, dry toilet, and woodshed.
- Korvatunturinmurusta campfire site, dry toilet, and woodshed.
- The trail has bridges for the river crossings.
Sights
There is a Peace Pole at Korvatunturinmurusta, which was erected as a symbol of world peace. In good weather also Korvatunturi fell is visible from Korvatunturinmurusta.
Route Description
Route markings: Wooden X -signs, partly poorly visible. Route markings are rare and sometimes badly visible. The trail is also marked with wooden painted discs.
The trail begins at Kemihaara (about 100 km from Savukoski, of which 75 km is gravel road), crosses the River Kemihaara before working its way through spruce forests and aapa mires and then onto dry pine heath. At the end of a reindeer fence hikers arrive at Vieriharju open wilderness hut. The trail continues along shallow heaths and through aapa mires.
After Palo-Vieriharju the trail departs towards Rakitsanoja open turf hut, from which the trail continues for two kilometres as a narrow path and then unites again with the other trail on a dry pine heath.
A couple of hundred metres before the border zone the trail winds towards Korvatunturinmurusta, where is situated the Peace Pole, a cooking area and a dry toilet.
The Korvatunturinmurusta Trail is a tourist service trail, which means that permits allowing, ski-expeditions can be arranged there.
Please Note
The trail between Rakitsanoja-Korvatunturinmurusta has duckboards in very poor condition. The trail is poorly visible especially in bad weather conditions and in the dark. Do not head to this trail without orienteering skills, a map, a compass, and a shelter.
Phone coverage in Urho Kekkonen national park remote area is limited - assume that calling or using the internet is not possible. In areas of limited phone coverage and/or at cold weather also the phone battery may run significantly faster. Please get acquainted with the instructions and rules for hiking in the national park and for preparing for a hike.
There are no marked winter trails between Kemihaara and Korvatunturinmurusta.
Korvatunturi is located in the border zone. If necessary, a permit for hiking in the border zone must be applied for from the Finnish Border Guard (raja.fi). The trail that continues to the border zone crosses the Korvatunturinmurusta route before the Korvatunturinmurusta Fell. The border zone is marked in the terrain.
Korvatunturinmurusta hiking trail is situated next to the national border zone. Using a drone in Korvatunturinmurusta area requires a flight permit application (aviamaps.com).