The Ravadas Falls are included in the national park's restricted access zone where movement is only allowed along the marked trails.
Lemmenjoki River Valley
Lemmenjoki River Valley is the 22-km-long river section between Njurkulahti and Kultasatama. There are regular boat services on the river during the summer. A marked trail on the bank follows the course of the river.
Ravadasköngäs Waterfall
The Ravadasjoki, with its gently sloping bed carved by glacial melt waters, is the largest of the River Lemmenjoki's tributaries. The current does not become strong until very close to the mouth of the river, where the tributary rushes through a ten-metre waterfall down into the Lemmenjoki. The falls and their rocky gorge, as well as the shapes resembling giants' kettles grooved into its edges, have been formed partly by glacial melt waters and partly by the erosion caused by the present river.
The Ravadas Falls are one of the best-known nature attractions in the Lemmenjoki National Park. The waterfall is an imposing sight in all its rugged glory. Visitors should bear in mind that the Ravadas Falls are included in the national park's restricted access zone where movement is only allowed along the marked trails. The Ravadas Falls can be reached on foot via hiking trails or by river boats run by Lemmenjoki's nature tourism service providers.
Joenkielinen Fell
Joenkielinen is a fell about 9 km from the village of Njurkulahti, to which there is a marked trail. On top of the fell, you get a great view over Lemmenjoki River Valley and the surrounding fells.
Sallivaara Reindeer Round-up Site
The Sallivaara reindeer round-up site comprises restored buildings and structures steeped in the atmosphere of days gone by. The wintertime round-up in Sallivaara used to last for weeks, and life at the pen was colourful and filled with hard work.
Sallivaara with its cabins and huts is one of the few well-preserved large reindeer round-up sites from the old days. The round-up that took place in December and January used to last one or two weeks, and people gathered from near and far to participate. In the 1950s, a peculiar market tradition emerged at the site with evening markets and dances.
The cabins and fence structures were restored in the late 1980s. The structures are protected as monuments to Sámi reindeer husbandry with their valuable industrial and cultural history. The cabins and huts are still privately owned, but some of them are open to the public as either sights or open wilderness huts. The huts open to the public are maintained by Metsähallitus.
Directions and Service
- From Repojoki River along Inari-Kittilä road, there is a 6-km-long marked trail to the restored traditional reindeer round-up site.
- There are also an Sallivaara open wilderness hut and a camping site. The hut is known as the policemen's hut, and there is a campfire and camping site next to it.
- Information Hut, Kaapi Aikio and Teuvo Lehtola's hut serves as an information hut. There is material in the hut that introduces visitors to the history of Sallivaara.
- Trail to the Top of Sallivaara Hill. A trail starts between the information hut and the open wilderness hut to the top of the Sallivaara hill with views over the vast marshland areas surrounding the site.
The round-up fence and the cabins form one of the most important sites of cultural history in Lapland. Read more of its history and history of reindeer husbandry.
The Grounds of Kaapin Jouni - Traditional Landscape
On the western bank of Lemmenjoki River, at Njurkulahti, is an old reindeer herder's dwelling, which used to belong to a man called Kaapin Jouni.
The Crounds of Kaapin Jouni is possible to visit with the local enterprises.
Gold Area
The history and the present of gold digging can be seen in the core of the National Park, in the area between Kultasatama and Jäkäläpää. Some of the gold diggers welcome visitors, but some prefer to work by themselves. There is a marked trail going through the area. From Kultasatama to Ravadasjärvi the distance is 20 km.