The trail is considerably well marked and there are several places to stop and rest along it. This means that it is a suitable hiking destination for those with little experience. It is best, however, to have a basic knowledge of hiking and survival skills. Additionally you should keep in mind that the weather in the fell area can change rapidly and in the case of an accident help is far away. There are no accessible services along the trail.
It is a good idea to plan your hike well in advance by obtaining outdoor map which show the trail. Although the trail is well marked in the terrain you should always carry outdoor map with you.
Terrain
The trail leads through varying terrain. Part of the terrain is easy to travel over, but there are also steep ascents and descents, such as Pyhäkero and Lumikero Fells. At some points the trail is very rocky but the rocks have for the most part smoothed out, making it easier to hike across them.
There are duckboards across the wettest parts of the trail and hikers do no need to wade across rivers at any point, as there are bridges for this. Private tourist services transport hikers across Lake Ounasjärvi, which is at the north end of the trail.
Duration of the Hike
Depending on a hiker's physical condition, hiking experience and weight of their rucksack they will travel on average 3 km per hour. Weather conditions will however have an effect on how demanding the trail is and how fast one can travel along it. For example when it is misty it can be difficult to see from one trail marking to the next. The fell area can be very windy and this can also hinder your hike. You should reserve 3 to 4 days to hike the entire trail.
In Winter
The summer hiking trail can be skied during winter, but if you are an inexperienced skier you may want to stay on the maintained skiing trail that travels lower on the slopes.
